March 17, 1998

Marshall scored 11 runs in the first inning on seven hits, including a grand slam by Tom Kuempel as they held off a Kentucky comeback to win 13-9 Tuesday at Cliff Hagan Stadium in Lexington. Kentucky (7-11) used three different pitchers in the first inning to try and calm the Marshall bats. UK starter Josh Owens (0-1) went 0.1 innings, allowing five hits and five earned runs in his first career start. Only seven of the 11 runs were earned in the inning. UK outscored Marshall 9-2 the final eight innings. UK scored its first run in the second inning on a RBI double by senior Andy Bendix. David Cheatle led off the third inning with a double and scored on a groundout by junior Josh Loggins. In the fifth, Loggins connected on a two-run homer to cut the lead to 12-4, his third home run of the season. The Wildcats continued to rally in the seventh, putting four runs on the board, cutting the deficit to 12-8. Freshman Robert Newton grounded out to shortstop, scoring Bendix. Loggins hit an RBI double that scored Cheatle. Jason Colemire and Aaron McGlone followed with RBI singles. Colemire extended his hitting streak to 18 games with the hit. J.R. Watts (1-0) picked up the victory, allowing 12 hits and eight runs in 6.2 innings. Marshall improved to 6-9 with the win. Loggins finished 3-for-5 with two runs scored and four RBIs, extending his hitting streak to nine games. Cheatle went 3-for-5 with two runs scored. UK continues non-conference play tomorrow at 3 p.m. at Cliff Hagan Stadium.