March 4, 1998
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Kentucky had a season-high 21 hits and four pitchers combined for a three-hitter as the Wildcats won 16-4 over Ohio for its second straight victory at home. The game was called in the ninth inning with no outs because of rain.
The four UK pitchers, who didnit allow an earned run, included three freshman. Brandon Webb, a freshman from Ashland, Ky., pitched a one-hitter over five scoreless innings in his first career start. Webb (1-0) had a career-high five strikeouts. Freshman Bradd Heyerly didnit allow a hit in two innings of work and gave up four runs, none of which were earned. Sophomore Patrick Mahan allowed one hit in his only inning of work and freshman John Hooker gave up a hit in the ninth inning. UKis 21 hits were the most since April 9, 1996 when the Wildcatsi had 26 against Marshall.
Kentuckyis Andy Green got things started in the first inning with an RBI single, giving UK an early 1-0 lead. Senior Jason Colemire, who went 2-for-4, hit a two-run home run in the third inning to give UK a 3-0 lead. The homer extended Colemireis hitting streak to 11 games. UK (5-6) struck for four runs and five hits in the fourth inning sparked by a leadoff homer by Andy Bendix, his second of the season. Mark Murphy slapped a two-run double in the inning. The two teamis lit up the scoreboard for a combined 11 runs in the sixth inning, including a season-high seven runs by the Wildcats. Ohio (3-1) put four runs on the board without a hit thanks to two UK errors. UK catcher Jason Pasero, making his third start of the season, drove in Josh Loggins with an RBI single to begin the scoring. After a Bendix walk, Green followed with a two-run single to give UK a commanding 10-4 lead. David Cheatle, hitting a team-leading .400, continued to swing the hot bat with a double to center field that scored Green and Bendix. Aaron McGlone followed with an RBI double, increasing the lead to 13-4. Freshman Will Crumbaugh added an RBI single in the inning. Freshman Robert Newton continued the hot hitting in the seventh with an RBI single and Cheatle added a sacrifice fly. Green, Pasero, Wilson and Loggins had three hits apiece. Murphy finished 2-for-5 with three runs scored.
Ohio used seven pitchers in the game and starter Denny McGee (0-1) picked up his first loss of the season. Bart Leahy, Jason Arbinger and Joe Carlone had the three Bobcat hits.
UK opens Southeastern Conference play this weekend with a three-game series at Vanderbilt. The teamis open up Friday at 7 p.m. and continue the series Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m.
