May 10, 1998

LEXINGTON, Ky — Fourth-ranked South Carolina spoiled Kentuckys Senior Day with nine runs in the fourth inning behind a three-run homer and a grand slam as they cruised to a 17-6 victory Sunday afternoon at Cliff Hagan Stadium on the UK campus. Despite the loss, UK won its fourth SEC series in the last five.

UK (26-29, 12-18) will take on Florida (41-13, 21-8), who won the SEC regular-season title, at 8:30 p.m. CST on Wednesday at the Hoover Metropolitan Stadium in Birmingham, Ala. The Wildcats were swept earlier in the season by the Gators.

UK got out to a 3-0 lead after two innings thanks to a two-run homer by senior Jason Pasero, but that would be its the only lead. South Carolinas Tripp Kelly led off the fourth with a double and Tim Angiolini was hit by Jason Chaneys pitch to set up a three-run homer by Eric Stanton. Stanton connected on his second home run of the game in the eighth inning. Kelly returned to the plate later in the inning with the bases loaded and hit a grand slam off UK reliever Bradd Heyerly.

Chaney (3-7) took the loss after allowing seven hits and six runs in 3.1 innings. Heyerly was relieved by senior Tim Rowland after allowing the homer to Kelly. Rowland allowed seven hits and five runs in 4.2 innings. Sophomore Patrick Mahan pitched the ninth inning. Brett Kondro (6-0) remained undefeated after allowing 11 hits and five runs, three earned, in 7.2 innings. Peter Bauer pitched the final 1.1 innings.

UKs Josh Loggins hit his third homer of the series and his team-leading 15th of the season. Loggins, who moved into sole possession of third place on the schools record charts for hits in a season with 89, went 7-for-12 in the series with three homers and eight RBIs. UK had 46 hits in the three-game series, including 13 homers and nine doubles. Senior Justin Bunch also had a homer.

South Carolina (42-14, 19-10) had 16 hits and five home runs, including three hits and four RBIs by Kelly.