May 8, 1999
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Auburn’s Chris Bootcheck pitched a complete game as the Tigers baseballteam defeated Kentucky, 7-4, Saturday afternoon at UK’s Cliff Hagan Stadium.
Bootcheck, a sophomore righthander, allowed just six hits while strikingout five and walking two. It was his second complete game of the season ashe improved his record to 8-5. He also got help from the sterling Auburndefense, which committed no errors and made three diving catches in theoutfield.
“I wasn’t my sharpest today, but I spotted my fastball when I had to,”said Bootcheck, who retired the first two batters in each of the firstseven innings.
Bootcheck was staked to a three-run lead in the top of the first inningwhen Auburn centerfielder Mailon Kent singled, catcher Casey Dunn hit arun-scoring double, and leftfielder Gabe Gross homered, his sixthroundtripper of the season.
Kentucky battled back in the third inning with a two-run homer by secondbaseman Andy Green.
Auburn made it 4-2 in the fifth inning on a solo shot by Dunn, his 13th ofthe year. Kent sparked additional rallies in the seventh and ninthinnings. He finished the day 3-for-4 with three stolen bases and threeruns scored.
The Wildcats moved within 5-3 in the eight inning on an RBI single byleftfielder Aaron McGlone, but catcher John Wilson popped up with tworunners on, ending the threat. The Wildcats added their final run in theninth inning on a solo homer by shortstop Vincent Harrison, his sixth homerof the season.
The losing pitcher for Kentucky was starter Ben Shaffar (5-5), who pitchedwell after the first inning. Shaffar allowed five runs in seven innings ofwork, striking out six.
Auburn improved to 37-14 overall, 14-12 in the SEC Western Division.Kentucky is now 22-27 overall, 12-14 in the SEC Eastern Division. TheWildcats dropped to third place in the division, one game behind SouthCarolina and one-half game behind Florida, pending the outcome of the USCand UF games Saturday night.
Auburn and Kentucky meet in the final game of the series Sunday at noon atHagan Stadium. Hayden Gliemmo (10-5) will pitch for Auburn and BrandonWebb (3-5) will pitch for UK.
