March 1, 1999

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Junior pitcher Ben Shaffar had 11 strikeouts andsophomore catcher John Wilson hit his third homerun in three days as theKentucky Wildcats defeated the Troy State Trojans, 9-8, in the final gameof the Blue-Gray Classic.

The Wildcats scored first, picking up three runs in the opening inningafter Andy Green advanced to third on an error by Trojan catcher ThomasGregorio. Aaron McGlone answered with a two-run homerun to give UK theearly lead, 2-0. John Wilson later scored on a Beau Moore ground out tofinish out the inning, 3-0.

Kentucky added five more runs in the fifth and sixth innings as MicahPlotts hit his first collegiate homerun of his career and John Wilson addedhis fifth homer of the season and his third of the weekend.

The Trojans remained quiet in the first half of the game, only scoring onerun in the first five innings. But their bats became active in the sixth.Leftfielder Ricky Rowe reached first on shortstop Andy Green’s throwingerror. A walk to first baseman Jorge Soto set up runners on first andsecond with no outs before centerfielder Kevan Burns hit a three-runhomerun to pull Troy State to within four runs of the Wildcats.

Pitcher Omar Henry relieved Shaffar in the eighth inning and gave up aleadoff homerun to Jorge Soto before striking out the side. Jon Hooker cameon to pitch in the ninth inning and also gave up a leadoff homerun tocatcher Thomas Gregorio. The Trojans were able to manufacture twoadditional runs in the inning before Hooker settled down and struck outKevan Burns to end the game.

The Wildcats return to Lexington this week for their first home action ofthe year. The first game of a nine game homestand will have Kentucky facingTennessee Tech on Wednesday, March 3, at 3:00 p.m. at Cliff Hagan Stadium.