March 14, 2000
LEXINGTON, Ky. – John Wilson and Robert Newton each hit three-run home runs and Jeff Meade connected for a solo shot as the University of Kentucky baseball team blasted the Lincoln Memorial Railsplitters, 10-4, at Cliff Hagan Stadium on Tuesday. The win gives UK its best record after 19 games in school history at 17-2.
Lincoln Memorial (9-13) got on the board first with a pair of runs in the second inning off UK starter Josh Paxton, but the Cats took the lead for good in the third inning on Wilson’s seventh round-tripper of the season and third in the last four games.
UK was held hitless against LMU left handed starter Andy Yetter through two innings before singles by Meade and Andy Green with one out in the third set up Wilson’s home run. Yetter (0-4) struggled with his control in his 5-2/3 innings of work as he walked seven hitters, none of which came around to score. The Wildcats left 11 men left on base in the game, marking the 10th time this season that Kentucky (17-2, 1-2 Southeastern Conference) has stranded eight or more baserunners.
In the sixth inning, Andy Green knocked one runner in, pushing the lead to 4-2 with a double off the left field wall that just missed being a home run by a few feet. The Cats opened the game up in the next inning by going back to the long ball. After Vince Harrison reached safely on an infield single and Beau Moore bunted for a hit, Newton launched a ball high over the right field scoreboard for his second homer of the season, giving UK a 7-2 lead. Two hitters later, Meade touched off his first of the season and second of his career to increase the lead to a six-run cushion.
Making his first start of the season, Paxton (1-0) pitched five solid innings, striking out four and allowing two runs on four walks, on his way to earning his 14th career win. Pitching effectively in relief for the Wildcats was Mark Michael who threw two scoreless innings, striking out three, and Brandon Webb who pitched a perfect ninth.
UK got solid production from the eighth and ninth spots in the lineup as Austin Madison was a perfect 2-for-2 in the eight hole before Dax O’Daniel pinch-hit in the eighth and hit a sacrifice fly to left for his sixth RBI of the year. Meade continued to serve like a second lead-off hitter as he went 2-for-3, drawing two walks and scoring a pair of runs from the ninth spot in the order.
The Wildcats return to action tomorrow when they travel to Richmond for an intra-state match-up with Eastern Kentucky (5-9). First pitch at EKU’s Turkey Hughes Field is scheduled for 3:05 p.m. with Scott Wade (3-1, 2.56 ERA) scheduled to start for the Cats. Opposing him will be sophomore right hander Chip Albright (2-1, 3.52).
