April 18, 2003
Lexington, Ky. –
Scott Wade threw a complete game shutout for the Kentucky baseball team, leading the Wildcats to a 1-0 win over Tennessee Friday night, April 17, at Cliff Hagan Stadium. Wade (2-4), who finished nine innings for the seventh time in his career and the second this season, gave up just five hits and struck out six batters in his second win of the season.
“I felt pretty good out there tonight,” Wade said. “I was really hitting spots and kept the ball down, fortunately it was good enough to get the win.”
Wade had plenty of help in the field, as the Wildcats (15-21, 3-12 SEC) defense made up for their offensive woes at the plate. While the Cats managed only four hits, left eight men on base and scored only one run, it was enough to beat the Volunteers (22-15, 8-8 SEC) for only the second time in the last eight meetings.
“I was really proud of the way Scott Wade threw tonight,” UK pitching coach Greg Goff said. “He’s the first guy I’ve coached here for a full four seasons and he’s been a great leader for our young staff. This couldn’t happen to a better guy.”
UK got on the board in the sixth as Jake Kungl and Spencer Graeter reached on back-to-back errors to begin the inning. Mike Breyman walked to juice the bases for Russ Rutherford, who pounded a sacrifice fly to the warning track in center field to bring in Kungl and put the Cats on top, 1-0, a lead they would not relinquish.
For Kentucky, Caleb Brock went 2-for-3, collecting half of UK’s hits, while catcher Aaron Edwards and Breyman chipped in for the remainder of the Cats’ hit production.
Tennessee’s Ben Riley (3-3) also threw a complete game, giving up just four hits, one unearned run and also striking out six.
The Cats and Volunteers face off again tomorrow in the second game of the weekend series. First pitch is set for 7 p.m. EST from Cliff Hagan Stadium. The first 150 fans in attendance will receive free UK commemorative mini bats. All the action can be heard live on 1300 AM with Drew Deener.
– UK –
