Rock Hill, (S.C.) ? Casey Gilvin singled to right field with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning to score John Shelby from second base and give Kentucky a 3-2 victory over Kent State on Friday. Shelby had laced a double to left to set the stage for Gilvin. The game was part of the Coca Cola Classic, hosted by Winthrop University. The win was Kentucky?s first under new head coach John Cohen.
?We?re very pleased to survive this first game, get our players some game experience and come out with a win,? Cohen said. ?I?m really proud of the passion and energy our team showed today.?
Pitching was the story on this day. Kentucky starter James Rodriquez allowed a home run on the second pitch of the game to Kent leadoff batter Chuck Moore, but settled in to throw six solid innings, allowing just the one earned run on three hits, while striking out four. Matt Scott (1-0) came on to work the final three innings, allowing one earned run on two hits and picking up the win for Kentucky.
?James Rodriquez was really good today,? Cohen said. ?He threw and located a lot of breaking balls and I?m very pleased with the work that he gave us. Matt Scott has been in this arena before and understands the situation. He threw strikes and let his defense make plays behind him. He did a great job.?
Rodriquez worked out of a major jam in the top of the fourth. After a lead off double, followed by a single, put runners on the corners with no outs, Rodriquez struck out Ben Whitney. He then retired Eric Holick on a pop to short and struck out Marshall Woods to escape the threat unharmed.
Offensively for the Cats, freshman Billy Grace, getting the starting nod in his first career game, delivered a big blow in the bottom of the fourth when he homered off the scoreboard in right center field with two outs, giving UK a 2-1 lead.
Kentucky will move on to play the host Eagles of Winthrop on day two of the Coca Cola Classic. Game time is slated for a 3:30 p.m. (ET) start. The Wildcats will send sophomore Craig Snipp to the mound. He will be opposed by Winthrop?s Jeff Reeves.
?It?s great to get this first win,? Cohen said. ?But this is a 100-mile journey and we?re only in the first half of a mile, so it?s easy for me to put this in perspective. We have a long road ahead of us, but we?re very proud of our team today.?
— UK ?
Notes from the game
? Kentucky is now 16-10 in season openers since 1979.
? UK now owns a 5-1 advantage in the all-time series with Kent State.
? Jesse Barber recorded Kentucky?s first hit of the season, a single to right center with two outs in the second inning.
