Feb. 26, 2000
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Freshman righthander Scott Wade threw acomplete game as the Kentucky baseball team rallied for a 5-2 win overEastern Illinois on Saturday in Birmingham, extending the Wildcats’record to 9-0, the best start ever under Coach Keith Madison.
Down 2-1 in the seventh inning, Kentucky tied the game whensecond baseman Andy Green walked and later scored on catcher JohnWilson’s sacrifice fly. The Wildcats broke it open with three runs inthe eighth inning.
Rightfielder Seth Morris walked to open the eighth, followed byan infield single by designated hitter Breck Price. After a sacrificebunt by third baseman Gordon Tyler, shortstop Jeff Meade delivered thegame-winning two-run single. Meade completed the scoring by tallying ona single by Green.
Meanwhile, Wade went the distance on the mound to run his recordto 3-0. He allowed five hits, striking out five and walking none. TheWildcats also backed him in the field, playing errorless ball for thethird consecutive game.
“We did another great job in pitching and defense. Scott wasvery patient on the mound and stayed with his stuff,” Madison said. “Weare going to have to improve our hitting with runners on base.” UK leftnine runners on base and did not capitalize on several scoringopportunities during the game.
Green collected three of the Wildcats’ seven hits, stole twobases, and played well with the glove by flawlessly handling sevengrounders.
The Wildcats will travel to Nashville Saturday night and willtake on the Belmont Rebels on Sunday at Greer Stadium. Freshman MarkMichael (2-0) is slated to pitch for the Wildcats.
