April 20, 2000
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – The University of Kentucky baseball team had its school-record 24-game unbeaten streak against non-Southeastern Conference opponents ended by the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers, 8-4, at Nick Denes Stadium on Wednesday.
A day after piling up a season-high 17 hits en route to a 12-2 win over Cincinnati, Kentucky (29-10-1) was held to six hits by three WKU pitchers. Reliever Matt Wilhite did not factor in the decision, but faced the minimum, allowing just one hit over four innings enabling WKU to extend their lead to 5-2. Starter Jay Meyer (4-4) earned the win despite allowing two runs (earned) in three innings in a pre-arranged split game for the Toppers.
The Cats opened up a 2-0 lead over the Hilltoppers (20-20) in the third inning as Andy Green started a two-out rally with a bunt single. His safety was followed by an RBI double by Beau Moore off the right field wall and a run scoring single by John Wilson. Moore’s lone hit of the game extended his career-high hitting streak to 10 games.
UK starter Scott Wade gave up seven hits over five innings, taking the loss for the Wildcats. Wade (7-3) and reliever Mark Michael were victimized by their defense as an error by Andy Green in the third inning helped WKU take the lead with three runs and an errant throw by Jeff Meade in the sixth opened the flood gates for two unearned runs.
Wade, who lost for the first time in four starts, allowed three runs (two earned) while Michael allowed two runs (unearned) on two hits in one inning of work.
After a scoreless inning of relief by Josh Paxton, Wilson brought the Cats within a run with a two-run single to center field. Wilson was the lone Wildcat to collect more than one hit, going 2-for-4 and driving in two runs.
Co-closer Jon Hooker was brought in to preserve the lead, but was roughed up for three runs (earned) on four hits as WKU put the game away. Brian Houdek starred for the Toppers, going 3-for-4 with two RBI and a run scored as the starting second baseman before pitching the final two innings and earning his second save of the year.
UK’s 24-game non-conference win streak dated back to May 5 against Cincinnati, a 3-2 loss in 17 innings. The Cats were 22-0 outside of SEC play this season.
The Cats will have to regroup quickly as No. 1-ranked South Carolina comes to Lexington for a crucial SEC Eastern Division series this weekend.
Game times at Cliff Hagan Stadium for Friday, Saturday and Sunday are 6 p.m. EDT, 2 p.m. and 1 p.m. All three games will be broadcast locally on WSAI AM 1580 and on the UK website at www.ukathletics.com. Sunday’s game will also be televised on Fox Sports South.
