Feb. 19, 2000
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Freshman Scott Wade threw a two-hitter over seveninnings to help the Cats remain perfect on the young season with a 6-3victory over Jacksonville University on Saturday afternoon.Wade held JU scoreless until the sixth inning when a two-run homer bycatcher Chad Oliva drew the Dolphins within 3-2, but Robert Newton answeredthat shot in the next half inning with a two-run homer, his first of theyear, over the right-centerfield fence that regained UK’s three-run advantage.
Wade, who struck out five hitters in his final two innings of work, cameback to pitch a perfect seventh inning before handing the ball to JonHooker who pitched the final two innings for his first save of the season.Wade and Hooker combined to allow the Dolphins just three base hits in thegame, UK’s stingiest pitching effort of the season.For the fifth time in 2000, the Cats got on the board first as AaronMcGlone continued his hot hitting with a double down the left-field line inthe first inning that drove in Andy Green, who reached on a one-out walk.The hit was the 204th of McGlone’s career, moving him into sole possessionof fourth place on the all-time UK hit list. McGlone is 6-for-9 with a homerun, a double and four RBI in two games this weekend.
After pitching 5-2/3 innings without allowing an earned run in hiscollegiate debut last weekend against Charleston Southern, Wade (2-0) has aslim 1.42 ERA through his first two starts. Wade and the Cats were helpedout by the UK defense once again as the Cats played their fourth errorlessgame of the season. Jeff Meade played another outstanding game at shortstopas he successfully handled seven chances.
“I’ve got to give my defense a lot of credit because they made a lot ofgood plays behind me tonight,” Wade said. “It feels great to win my firsttwo starts, but it feels even better that the team has won its first sixgames. Hopefully we can get No. 7 tomorrow.”With their sixth straight win, the Cats have started the new millenium byequaling their best start of the ’90’s, as they also started 1991 with a6-0 record. The Cats will have a chance to better that streak tomorrow whenthey meet Navy at 1 p.m. On the mound for UK will be freshman Mark Michael(1-0). Starting for Navy will be Shane Groover, a junior right-hander namedto the 1999 ABCA/Rawlings All-Northeast Region second team. Navy is 0-1this season after getting beat by Jacksonville, 22-6, earlier on Saturdayafternoon.
