April 18, 1998
ATHENS, Ga.–Kentucky senior David Cheatle struck out Georgia’s Andy Osbolt, the No. 3 hitter, with the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth as the Wildcats prevailed 8-7 Saturday at Foley Field in Athens, Ga. The win kept the Wildcats alive in the SEC Tournament race.
“This was a big win for our team because it kept us in contention for the SEC Tournament,” UK coach Keith Madison said. “We have to respond on Sunday after such a hard-fought game like today. I think our players are up to the challenge.”
The game began as a scoring fest, but resulted in a relief pitcher’s exhibition. All 15 runs in the game were scored in the first five innings. UK sophomore Josh Paxton (3-3) entered the game in the third inning and allowed only three hits in 6.2 scoreless innings of relief to pick up the victory. Paxton gave up a single and two walks to load the bases for Osbolt. Cheatle picked up his second save after striking out the only batter he faced.
“Josh Paxton came in and gave a really gutsy performance,” Madison said. “He has been our hot pitcher of late and he got the job done today. David Cheatle entered the game in a tough situation and he took care of business.”
Paxton has not given up one run in his last 13.2 innings. He has allowed only four hits during that time.
UK starter Brandon Webb allowed seven hits and seven runs in only two innings. Georgia starter Kyle Goodson was roughed up for eight hits and seven runs in 2.1 innings. Josh Jerkins (2-2) allowed only three hits and one run in 5.2 innings.
UK (16-24, 6-14) put two runs on the board in the second inning to take an early lead. Jason Colemire had a leadoff single and advanced to second on a wild pitch. After an Aaron McGlone walk, Jason Pasero scored Colemire with a single to center field. Third basemen Jeff Meade followed with an RBI single, giving UK a 2-0 lead. Andy Green singled to center field, but Pasero was thrown out trying to score to end the inning.
Georgia (22-18, 8-12) responded with four runs on five hits in the bottom of the second off UK starter Brandon Webb. Four of the five hits were singles.
UK quickly regained the lead in the third inning. Josh Loggins reached base with a double down the right field line. After Colemire drew a walk, Mark Murphy and Andy Bendix delivered back-to-back RBI singles to even the score, 4-4. Aaron McGlone then provided the blow, a three-run homer over the scoreboard in right field. It was McGlone’s fourth home run of the season. Georgia starter Zach Goodson was roughed up for eight hits and seven runs in 2.1 innings.
Robbie Hammock cut the deficit to 7-5 with a leadoff homer in the third inning. After a Mark Thornhill walk, Andy Osbolt delivered a two-run homer to left field to tie the game at 7-7. It was Osbolt’s third homer of the series.
UK took the lead for good, 8-7, in the fifth inning thanks to a error by the Georgia shortstop on a groundball hit by Meade that enabled McGlone to score from second.
McGlone led the Wildcats at the plate with a 3-for-3 day. Loggins extended his hitting streak to eight games with two hits. Murphy went 2-for-5 with one RBI.
The rubber match for the series is set for Sunday at 2 p.m.
