Green’s 7th-inning RBI single stands as the difference.
ATHENS, Ga. – University of Kentucky co-closer Jon Hooker closed out thesecond straight win for the Wildcats over Georgia on Sunday, pitching 2-2/3innings of scoreless relief in UK’s 5-4 series-clinching victory at FoleyField. UK took game two of the series 7-1 on Saturday.
Hooker entered the game with a runner on second base and one out in theseventh with the Wildcats (28-9-1, 7-9-1 Southeastern Conference) holding aslim 5-4 lead. He promptly induced a ground out and ended the inning withone of his two strikeouts en route to his third save of the season. Hookeris a perfect 15-for-15 this season in stranding inherited runners this season.
For the third time in the series, the Wildcats took a 1-0 against theBulldogs (23-16, 9-8 SEC). Aaron McGlone doubled off UGA right-hander RobMoravek to lead off the second inning, scoring two hitters later on a wildpitch.
The lead was short lived as Adam Swann hit a two-run home run off MarkMichael in the bottom of the inning. The second had the earmarks of a biginning for Georgia, but the Bulldogs lost two runners on the bases to limitthe damage. Catcher Jason Wolfe caught a runner stealing for the first outand put the tag on the final out as center fielder Beau Moore cut down arunner at the plate trying to score from second base on a single.
UK answered right back in the third with back-to-back doubles by Jeff Meadeand Andy Green leading off the frame, tying the game at 2-2. The Catsthreatened to regain the lead in the fourth, getting a single and a walk tolead off the inning, as they knocked Moravec from the game after recordingjust nine outs. Reliever Andy Hussian got out of the jam as Breck Pricestruck out on a fouled-off bunt attempt and UGA catcher Doc Brooks caughtRobert Newton trying to steal third as Wolfe struck out.
Michael also failed to make it out of the fourth inning, being removedafter walking the first hitter in the frame. In his second straight sub-parouting, Michael allowed two runs (earned) on four hits and struck out four,but was hurt by four walks. Josh Paxton relieved Michael and pitched 2-1/3innings of scoreless relief to earn his second win of the season. Paxton(2-1) pitched around two hits and a walk in his stint.
The Cats finally got back on top in the fifth as John Wilson launched atwo-run homer into the trees beyond the left field fence off Hussian togive UK a 4-2 lead. Moore had extended the inning with a two-out single tocenter, allowing Wilson to collect his 44th and 45th runs batted in on his14th home run of the season. Both marks are team highs. Hussian (1-2) wassaddled with the loss, allowing three runs (earned) in 3-1/3 innings ofrelief on three hits.
UK increased its lead to 5-2 with an RBI single by Green in the sevenththat stood as the game-winning RBI as UGA drew to within a run on antwo-run homer by Jeff Keppinger. His second long ball of the season cameoff Price in the bottom of the inning. Price relieved Paxton with one outin the sixth.
For the Cats, Meade had his second consecutive multi-hit game going2-for-3 and handled four flawless chances at shortstop, including thegame’s final out. Dax O’Daniel started UK’s game-winning rally in theseventh with a lead-off, pinch-hit double bouncing off the wall in right.
By taking their third SEC series of the year with Sunday’s win, UK entersits Tuesday date with Cincinnati having won three of its last four games.The Bearcats are the last non-SEC opponent to beat the Wildcats who have a23-game winning streak against non-conference opponents dating back to May5 of last season when UC came to Lexington and pulled out a 3-2 victory.Game time at Cliff Hagan Stadium is set for 6 p.m. EDT.
The Cats will then play their first midweek road game of the season onWednesday when they travel to Bowling Green to take on Western Kentucky.
Game time against the Hilltoppers at Nick Denes Stadium is scheduled for6:05 p.m.
