April 19, 1999

GAINESVILLE, Fla. –Nathan Kent pitched his first career shut out and his third complete game of the season as the Kentucky Wildcats (14-21, 5-11 SEC) beat the Florida Gators (23-16, 6-10 SEC), 5-0, and redeemed themselves for last year’s embarrassing three-game sweep in Lexington.

The starting pitchers dueled until the fifth inning when the flood gates opened and UK scored four runs to take the lead. Breck Price doubled to left field and Nate Linder walked to put men on first and second with two outs. In a bang-bang play, Beau Moore appeared to beat a throw from the third baseman, but was called out by the first base umpire in what appeared to end the inning and Kentucky’s chances of scoring first in the contest. However, home plate umpire John Kramer overruled the call and claimed catcher’s interference on Florida catcher Todd Johannes to leave the bases loaded. Andy Green singled home two runs, Robert Newton reached on an error to drive home a run, and John Wilson doubled to bring in the fourth Wildcat run of the inning.

Kentucky added another run in the eighth inning to extend the lead to five runs. Vince Harrison singled to lead off the inning, and Will Crumbaugh advanced the runner to third on a single to left field. Harrison scored on Green’s bunt single, giving the Wildcats their final run of the game and take a 5-0 victory from the Gators.

Tonight’s shut out was the first against the Gators in 160 games at home. Florida was shut out in the series opener against Ole Miss on Fri., April 9, for the first time in over 250 games. Kent had nine strikeouts as he pitched his first shut out of his UK career. Green drove in a career high three runs, helping the Wildcats take the first game of the three-game series.

Kentucky returns to action on Saturday, April 17, facing the Gators for the second game of the series in Gainesville. The game is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m.