LEXINGTON ? Charleston Southern rallied from a two-run deficit for a 3-2 win to hand Kentucky its first loss of the season on Saturday in the Buccaneer Classic.
The Bucs (6-5) scored single runs in the fifth, sixth and seventh innings to pull out the win and remain unbeaten at home this year. Kentucky dropped to 1-1 on the year and will wrap up the weekend on Sunday against defending Colonial Athletic Association champion George Mason (1-1).
Junior Kalen Gibson will take the mound for the Wildcats while the Patriots will counter with lefty Brent Hitz.
Kentucky pitcher Scott Green was cruising along in the fifth before Charleston Southern struck for their first run. He allowed a one-out single to Justin Frye but appeared to be in control when Jay Reynolds grounded to third.
However, Shaun Lehmann?s throw to second base to get Frye wound up in right field and allowed him to third. With runners on the corners, Reynolds stole second and catcher Justin Scutchfield?s throw sailed into centerfield, allowing the Frye to score.
A one-out walk provided the tying base-runner in the sixth. Brad Woods drew the free pass and stole second before Graham Maiden?s knotted the contest with a two-out RBI single. The hit chased Green, who allowed two runs ? one earned ? on five hits in 5 2/3 innings. He fanned four and walked just one while earning a no-decision.
It was the second time in as many games that a true freshman gave Kentucky a solid performance on the mound. On Friday, Andrew Albers went eight innings and allowed just one unearned run on two hits to earn the win.
In the seventh, Brian Sole led off with a triple to right-center field against reliever Adam Revelette. Sole slid just under the tag of Scutchfield at the plate for the game-winning run after John Shelby made a spectacular throw from centerfield on Jason Rose?s sacrifice fly.
The Wildcats had a tremendous chance to take the lead in the eighth when Brian Hastings drew a one-out walk and pinch-hitter JP Lowen singled. Scutchfield, who finished 2-for-4, roped a ball to right center only to be robbed of a two-run double by the centerfielder Reynolds.
The runners left on in the eighth were two of the 10 Kentucky stranded. Meanwhile, Charleston Southern made their baserunners count as they stranded just two.
Kentucky opened the scoring in the third by manufacturing a run. Lehmann drew a leadoff walk and was sacrificed to second by Michael Bertram, who finished with three sac bunts.. Lehmann then stole third and, never breaking stride, scampered home as the pitch from Brad Bissell ended up at the backstop.
Lehmann had a great game from the leadoff spot. He went 2-for-3 with a double and two walks. However, his lone out was a big one as it came when Reynolds made a great sliding catch in left-centerfield to open the ninth.
In the fourth, the Wildcats had a chance to break the game open. Brian Hastings doubled after Collin Cowgill drew a leadoff walk. However, Cowgill was gunned down at the plate attempting to score on the play. Hastings was eventually brought home on Scutchfield?s two-out single for Kentucky?s final run.
Ryan Sowers earned the win after throwing 1 2/3 innings of two-hit ball in relief. Nino Fasulo was perfect in 1 2/3 innings to pick up his third save.
