LEXINGTON, Ky. — Andrew Albers and Scott Green combined for a five-hit shutout Monday and the top three batters in the Kentucky order accounted for eight hits and three RBI in an 8-0 win against Cleveland State at Cliff Hagan Stadium.
The No. 12 Wildcats, playing their fourth of six games in six days, extended their school-record winning streak to 17 games and college baseball?s longest regular-season home winning streak to 27 games.
Albers ran his record to a perfect 4-0, toiling six innings, giving up three hits and striking out three. Green entered the game in the seventh inning, working the final three frames and allowing just two hits.
The Wildcats, who got on the board in the second inning, broke the game open in the fifth inning with four runs, including Sean Coughlin?s fourth home run of the season. The three-run round-tripper tied Coughlin for the team?s home run lead.
Right fielder Mike Brown went 3-for-5 at the plate, driving in two runs in the leadoff slot, while center fielder Antone DeJesus was 3-for-4. Brown is now 26-for-41 in his last 10 games, scoring an amazing 21 runs.
UK (17-0) struck first in the second inning when Ryan Wilkes singled to center field with two outs. He reached second on a wild pitch and was driven in by Tyler Howe?s single to right center two batters later.
In the fifth inning, Brown doubled to left center to lead off and DeJesus followed with a strategically placed bunt to the left side of the infield. A single by Sawyer Carroll drove in Brown before a throwing error by Cleveland State hurler Pat McKitrick trying to pick off Carroll at first allowed Carroll and DeJesus to advance into scoring position. Coughlin then roped the first pitch of the next at-bat into deep right center field to put the Wildcats ahead 5-0.
In the seventh, Matt McKinney and Wilkes both singled and Brock Wright, the reigning Southeastern Conference Freshman of the Week, was intentionally walked to load the bases for Kentucky. After Howe struck out, Brown singled to left field to drive in McKinney and Wilkes and extend UK?s advantage to 7-0.
The Wildcats tacked on a run in the eighth when Carroll walked to open the inning and came around to score on a single to right field by Spear.
Hewitt, one of four Vikings pitchers on the day, took the loss for Cleveland State, tossing four innings and giving up 11 hits.
Kentucky returns to action Tuesday when it begins a two-game series with Canisius. First pitch between the Wildcats and the Golden Griffins is slated for 4 p.m. EDT and the game will be carried live on WXRA 1580 AM with Neil Price.
Tuesday’s 4 p.m. game with Canisius marks another installment of the Two-fer-Tuesday promotion. Fans can purchase any single game general admission ticket and receive another general admission ticket free. Mention this promotion at the ticket booth upon arrival at the ballpark.
Post Game Notes
Team Records and Series Notes
With the win, Kentucky improves to 17-0, the best start in school history.
Kentucky now leads the series with Cleveland State 4-2.
With the loss, Cleveland State falls to 2-11.
Kentucky returns to action on Tuesday with the first of a two-game set with Canisius. First pitch is set for 4 p.m. EDT.
Team Notes
The Wildcats have now plated 209 runs in just 17 games, after setting the school record with 500 runs scored during 2006.
Kentucky?s 17-0 start is the best in school history and ranks as the longest winning streak in school annals.
Kentucky has now won 27 consecutive games at Cliff Hagan Stadium, the longest home winning streak in college baseball and in school history.
Kentucky?s 17-game win streak ranks as the best in school history. Kentucky has had 10 or more hits in 12 of 17 games.
This was the second time that Kentucky had shut out an opponent on the season.
Individual Notes
Andrew Albers had a season-best performance, working six innings and allowing just three hits. Albers improved to 4-0.
Mike Brown continued his hot hitting, going 3-for-5 at the plate. Over the last 10 games, Brown is batting .634 (26-for-41) with 21 runs, seven doubles, 15 RBI.
Scott Green worked three innings, allowing only two hits and zero runs.
UK threw only 92 pitches in the game.
