March 26, 1999

LEXINGTON, Ky. – John Wilson hit two home runs to extend his hitting streak to eight gamesand Aaron McGlone was four-for-six with a double as the Kentucky Wildcats(7-13, 2-5 SEC) defeated the Mississippi State Bulldogs (20-4, 3-3 SEC) inthe opening game of the series at Cliff Hagan Stadium.

Kentucky jumped out to an early lead in the first inning, manufacturingthree runs on three hits, including Wilson’s seventh home run of the year.The Wildcats added three runs in the third and two runs in the fourth totake a commanding lead, 8-0.

The Bulldogs rallied in the last three innings, scoring two runs in theseventh, eighth, and ninth. Daron Wright opened the seventh inning with adouble and Phillip Willingham walked to put men on first and second withone out. Two runs scored on Chris Lotterhos’ double and Brian Wiese’ssacrifice fly.

Kentucky answered with two runs in the bottom of the seventh. Wilson hithis second home run of the game and his eighth of the season to drive inthe last two UK runs.

The Wildcats’ bats remained alive throughout the entire game as home runswere hit by Wilson, Will Crumbaugh, and Breck Price. Price increased hishitting streak to 14 games and pinch hitter Kyle Hooker singled to improvehis hitting streak to four games.

Ben Shaffar allowed four earned runs in seven innings pitched, strikingout nine men to increase his season total to 59 in 42.2 innings pitched.Jon Hooker relieved Shaffar in the eighth inning and struck out two men inhis outing. Bulldog starter and Winchester, Ky., native Matt Ginter wasremoved from the game in the fourth inning, allowing nine hits and eightearned runs and picking up his second loss of the year.

UK returns to action Saturday, March 27, at 2 p.m. in the second game ofthe three-game series at Cliff Hagan Stadium in Lexington.