May 10, 1999

Brandon Webb pitched his third complete game of the season and senior Nate Linder hit his second career home run, but the Kentucky Wildcats (22-28, 12-15 SEC) could not stop the Auburn bats and lost the rubber game of the series, 5-4.

Kentucky opened the game by scoring one run on three consecutive singles by Andy Green, Aaron McGlone, and John Wilson to take a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning.

Auburn (38-14, 15-12 SEC) responded in the top of the second as pitcher/designated hitter Hayden Gliemmo hit a two-out double to right center field. Shortstop Chad Wandalls RBI double evened the score at one-all.

Linder belted his second home run of his UK career, a two-out solo shot over the left field wall, to give the Wildcats the lead, 2-1. UK maintained the advantage until the sixth inning when left fielder Gabe Gross hit a solo home run over the right center field wall to tie the game at two-all. Four runs crossed the plate in the inning as the Tigers took a 5-2 lead.

Kentucky manufactured one run in the bottom of the sixth inning as reliever Kevin Knorst threw two wild pitches to score Vince Harrison. Despite the bases being loaded with one out, only one Wildcat runner crossed the plate.

UKs streak of late inning rallies continued as Wilson hit a RBI single to left field, scoring Andy Green from second base. First baseman Robert Newton hit an infield single to load the bases, but designated hitter Jason Wolfe struck out to end the game.

Kentucky has won four of the last six SEC series and is currently vying for the final spot in the SEC Tournament in Birmingham, Ala. The Wildcats will take a break from conference action for three midweek games, traveling to Western Kentucky in a rematch with the Hilltoppers on Tuesday, May 11, and playing host to Murray State and Butler University on Wednesday, May 12.