Box Score
The University of Kentucky baseball team loaded the bases twice in the ninth inning, butwas only able score one run as the Wildcats fell to the visiting 11th-ranked TennesseeVolunteers, 5-3, on Friday night at Cliff Hagan Stadium.
Trailing 5-2 going into the bottom of the ninth, UK (11-12, 2-5 SEC) loaded the baseswith no outs and the middle of the lineup coming to bat. However, UT closer, BrandonCrowe closed the door on the Cats, allowing only one run en route to picking up hissecond save of the season.
The Wildcats got on the board in the first inning. Harrison doubled to left center andadvanced to third on a ground out by Seth Morris. With two out, Spencer Preston struckout, but the ball got away from UT catcher Javi Herrera, allowing Harrison to score.
The Vols responded with a run in the second, compliments of Dan Wilsons third homerun of the season. Wilson would strike again in the third, this time with an RBI single thatscored Stevie Daniel.
UT pushed its fourth run across in the fourth, this time on a solo blast from DennisGomez, to take a 4-1 lead.
After five innings, UK starter Scott Wade was replaced, falling short in a bid for his fourthconsecutive complete game. In five full innings, Wade allowed nine hits, four runs, two ofwhich were unearned, while striking out five batters.
The Cats would push a run across in the eighth on an RBI single from Caleb Brock,cutting the Vols lead to 4-2.
UT regained its three run lead with an insurance run in the ninth, once again by means ofa long ball, this time off the bat of Jeff Christensen.
UKs ninth inning rally started with a leadoff hit from Brad Pickrell. Spencer Graeterfollowed with a single of his own. Beau Moore then reach on an fielders choice asGraeter beat out a force attempt at second, loading the bases for Vince Harrison. UTcoach Rod Delmonico then pulled starter Brian Gates after eight strong innings andturned the game over to Crowe. Crowe, the Vols closer, got Vince Harrison to groundinto a double play, but one UK run crossed the plate, cutting the Cats deficit to 5-3 withthe heart of the lineup coming to bat. Seth Morris and Spencer Preston both drew twoout walks, once again loading the bases, this time with two outs. However, Crowebattled back to get Gordon Tyler looking at a called third strike to win the game.
Gates picked up the win for UT, going eight full innings, scattering eight hits and strikingout 10 batters to pick up his fourth win of the year. Wade absorbed the loss and fell to2-4 on the campaign.
Gordon Tyler saw his 11-game hitting streak come to an end with an 0-for-5 night. Moore and Spencer Graeter were the only Wildcats to record more than one hit.
Chris Burke, Christensen, Wilson, and Gomez each had two hits to lead to UT attack.
The two teams will meet again tomorrow afternoon at 2 pm. Rob Corrado (4-1, 5.53ERA) is scheduled to start for Kentucky. Wyatt Allen (4-1, 6.67 ERA) will take the moundfor the Vols.
Score by innings---------------------------Tennessee 011 101 001 5 11 2Kentucky 100 000 011 3 8 2---------------------------
WP Gates (4-2)LP Wade (2-4)
HR Christensen, Wilson, Gomez (UT)
