Lexington, (Ky.) ? Kentucky took two of three from the nation?s sixth-ranked South Carolina Gamecocks, despite a 5-3 loss on Sunday at Cliff Hagan Stadium. UK had not won a series with South Carolina since 1999 and the Gamecocks, who have advanced to the College World Series in each of the past two seasons, had won 12 of the last 13 meetings between the two schools. The Wildcats also took a series from Auburn to start conference play this year, and with this weekend?s win, equaled the total number of conference series wins in all of 2003.
?We?re excited to get a series win over a team the caliber of South Carolina,? UK head coach John Cohen said. ?Kentucky hasn?t taken a series from South Carolina in several years. Our players gave a great effort all weekend and we?ll continue to work and improve.?
Three errors hurt UK on Sunday, as only two of Carolina?s five runs were earned. The big blow came in the fifth when back-to-back Kentucky errors with one out led to two Gamecock runs and put SC up, 4-3. Another Wildcat miscue gave South Carolina (26-10, 7-8 SEC) an insurance run in the eighth.
Kentucky?s only offense came with three runs in the first inning. Michael Bertram singled to start the inning and Spencer Graeter was hit by a pitch. Casey Gilvin then reached on a South Carolina error before Caleb Stewart singled to score Bertram. Mike Breyman?s double then plated Graeter and Gilvin and Kentucky was up, 3-0, early.
South Carolina?s combination of starter Aaron Rawl (7-2) and closer Chad Blackwell combined to hold the Wildcats scoreless the rest of the way. Blackwell picked up his eighth save of the season, as he did not allow a hit over the course of the final 2 1/3 innings.
On a day when Kentucky (19-16, 5-10 SEC) sent five different pitchers to the mound, Craig Snipp (1-6) was saddled with the loss in relief. Bertram and Breyman each had two hits to lead the UK offense.
Kentucky returns to action on Wednesday night when it plays host to Morehead State at Cliff Hagan Stadium. First pitch is set for 6:30 p.m. (ET). Live stats will be available at www.ukathletics.com. Live video is also available on the site?s ?Extreme Access.?
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