March 5, 2000
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Four pitchers combined to throw the Wildcats’ second shutout of the season as a record UK crowd turned out to watch the Cats complete a three-game sweep over the Dayton Flyers, 11-0. The win, Kentucky’s 13th straight to begin the season, ties the all-time school record for consecutive victories.
Playing in front of an announced Cliff Hagan Stadium crowd of 1,293 and under perfect weather conditions, the Cats got all the scoring they would need >from a solo home by Andy Green in the third inning, but turned the game into a rout with a pair of big innings.
The Cats started a four-run rally in the fourth as a hit-and-run single by Robert Newton moved John Wilson, who had singled to center, over to third with no outs. After Newton stole second base as Seth Morris struck out, Breck Price plated Wilson with an infield single. A squeeze play by Jeff Meade scored Wilson while Meade was safe as the throw from the pitcher hit him in the back. A double by Green closed the scoring in the inning by bringing around both Price and Meade.
For the second consecutive day, the Cats rattled the bats in the eighth inning to put the clamps down on the Flyers (3-4). In his first at bat of the game, junior Austin Madison hit his first collegiate home run to start a five-run explosion. Beau Moore doubled and scored on a single by pinch-hitter Brad Pickrell. After Dax O’Daniel delivered UK’s second pinch-hit of the inning, John Wilson drove Pickrell and O’Daniel in with a double to left that UD leftfielder Shawn Bolinger completely lost in the sun. Morris closed the scoring with a single to left, bringing home Wilson.
Freshman right-hander Rob Corrado started the game for the Cats and earned the win, pitching effectively in his scheduled four-inning stint. Corrado (2-0) stuck out four and allowed just two hits. Aaron Wilson, Josh Paxton, and Jon Hooker were outstanding in relief, allowing just two hits without walking a batter over the final five innings. Wilson was particularly impressive, striking out four in two innings of work. Wilson and Hooker have had a hand in both of UK’s shutouts this season.
Leading the way offensively for the Cats were the usual suspects of John Wilson, Newton and Green. Wilson was 2-for-2, scoring two runs and driving in two more. Newton had three hits in four at-bats, scoring a run and driving in another, while Green was 2-for-4 with three RBI, including his second home run of the year.
With the win, coach Keith Madison recorded the 650th victory of his 22-year career at Kentucky.
The Wildcats return to action on Tuesday with a 3:00 game against Miami University (Ohio) at Cliff Hagan Stadium. The Cats also play host to Yale at 3:00 on Wednesday before heading to Tuscaloosa, Ala. next weekend to open Southeastern Conference play against the Alabama Crimson Tide.
