March 23, 2003
Lexington, Ky. –
The No. 11 Auburn Tigers (22-5, 5-1 SEC) finished a three-game sweep of Kentucky (8-14, 0-6 SEC) by taking the weekend wrapup, 10-3. Kentucky could not figure out Auburn starter Colby Paxton (3-1), managing just two runs on four hits in 6 1/3 innings. Seth Stanley (1-3) gave a solid effort for Kentucky on the mound, going 6 2/3 innings and giving up six runs on 10 hits while striking out seven.
Auburn took the lead, 1-0, in the top of the fourth inning on a Karl Amonite run-scoring double. UK got on the board in the bottom of the fifth when Caleb Stewart laid down a bunt single, the Cats’ first hit of the afternoon, and scored on Michael Bertram’s squeeze bunt later in the inning. Auburn catcher Bobby Huddleston delivered the big blow, a three-run home run in the sixth inning to put the Tigers ahead, 4-1.
“Overall, I was disappointed in our effort today,” Coach Keith Madison said. “There were some bright spots, but we lost our intensity once we got behind and we cannot afford to do that against a team the caliber of Auburn.”
Stewart and Bertram hooked up again in the bottom of the seventh to squeeze out another run for Kentucky. This time Stewart doubled to right center to start the inning and scored on a Bertram single. Bertram, making his first start in a SEC game as the designated hitter, was 2-for-3 with two RBI and a run scored.
“I was really proud of Michael Bertram getting a couple of hits in his first conference start,” Madison said. “It was good to see him that aggressive at the plate.”
Auburn got two more in the seventh on consecutive singles by Javon Moran and Tug Hulett. Huddleston struck again in the eighth, doubling off the scoreboard to drive in his fourth and fifth runs.
The Bat Cats are next in action on Tuesday, March 25th, when they play host to Kent State. First pitch is at 3 p.m. at Cliff Hagan Stadium.
— UK —
