Lexington, (Ky.) ? Big innings from the Florida offense were the story of the day, as Kentucky surrendered 17 runs on 18 hits in falling to the Gators for the second consecutive day, this time by a score of 17-6. The biggest blow came in the top of the sixth when Florida put seven runs on the board to turn a 5-4 Kentucky lead into an 11-5 deficit. The loss dropped the Wildcats to 14-9 on the season and 2-3 in Southeastern Conference play. The Gators improved to 23-5, 4-1 in the SEC.
Florida got off to a big start, putting four runs on the board in the top of the first inning, two on a double by Justin Tordi. The score remained 4-0 until the bottom of the fourth when UK hung a five-spot on Florida starter Bryan Ball, all five runs being unearned. The rally started when Mike Breyman reached base on an error and was followed by a RBI double from Billy Grace. Jesse Barber then reached on a second Gator miscue and Michael Bertram singled to score Grace. Aaron Edwards later delivered a two-out two-run double to the gap in left center to tie the game at 4-4. Casey Gilvin?s single scored Edwards and gave UK the 5-4 advantage.
The lead was short-lived, however, as Florida got its seven runs in the sixth, thanks in large part to three UK errors. Matt LaPorta homered to lead off the inning, his second jack in as many days. Tordi then doubled and scored on a throwing error after Brian Jeroloman?s sacrifice bunt. Two more Wildcat errors and four more Gator hits took place in the inning, which ended with Florida sending 11 batters to the plate.
?We have to do a better job of competing as an entire team,? UK head coach John Cohen said. ?We have to get to the point where we come to play for every minute of every game, and we will get there. This is a learning experience for the guys on this team.?
The Gators tacked on three runs in the eighth and three more in the ninth to provide the final margin. Ball (5-0) got the win for Florida. Matt Scott (4-1) suffered his first loss of the season for the Cats. Lee Roberson earned his second save of the year. Gilvin and Barber led the UK offense with three and two hits, respectively. Caleb Stewart was 0-for-5, snapping his career-best 20-game hitting streak.
The series will wrap up on Sunday with a 12 p.m. (ET) start from Cliff Hagan Stadium. Craig Snipp (1-2) will take the hill for Kentucky. He will be opposed by Tommy Boss (1-0). The game can be heard live on 96.1 FM in Lexington. Drew Deener calls the play-by-play. Live stats and live audio are both available at www.ukathletics.com.
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