Feb. 25, 2000
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Kentucky baseball team improved to 8-0 onthe season, equaling the best start ever under Coach Keith Madison, asthe Wildcats nipped Alabama-Birmingham, 4-3, Friday afternoon at UAB’sYoung Memorial Field.
Freshman rightfielder Seth Morris stroked the game-winningsingle with two outs in the eighth inning, scoring catcher John Wilson,who had singled and advanced to second on a groundout.
Pitchers Brandon Webb and Breck Price made the score stand up.Webb won his third start in as many tries, striking out nine and walkingtwo. He lasted until one out into the eighth inning. Price relievedWebb and retired all five batters he faced, striking out two, earninghis second save of the season.
“Our pitching and defense did another good job today,” Madisonsaid. “Brandon really battled his way out of some jams and Breck shutthem down with the game on the line.”
Kentucky jumped on the board with three runs in the firstinning. Second baseman Andy Green opened the game with a bunt singleand scored on a double by third baseman Vince Harrison. Wilson slammeda two-run homer to center field, his second round-tripper of the season,staking Webb to a 3-0 lead.
UAB struck back in the fourth inning with a two-run homer bysecond baseman Dan DeMent. The Blazers tied it with a single run in thefifth inning, and the score stayed knotted until Morris’ clutch hit.
With the win, Kentucky equaled its best start since the 1987Wildcats also began the season 8-0. The team will stay in Birminghamand play Eastern Illinois on Saturday at 11 a.m. Freshman Scott Wade(2-0, 1.42 ERA) is slated to start on the mound for UK.
After Saturday’s game, the Wildcats travel to Nashville, Tenn.Kentucky will take on Belmont on Sunday.
