First Inning Mistakes Cost UK
ROCK HILL, S.C. – The University of Kentucky baseball team mounted a laterally, but was unable to overcome Winthrop University’s eight-run firstinning, falling 10-7.
Nothing seemed to go right for UK (2-4) in the bottom of the firstinning. The Wildcats committed four errors, gave up four hits, andsurrendered eight runs to the home standing Eagles.
Winthrop (4-1) added two runs in the third on a two-out home run offthe bat of Jason Colson, his second in as many games against the Cats,giving the Eagles a 10-0 lead.
Joseph Blanton relieved UK starting pitcher Mark Michael in thefourth. Blanton pitched brilliantly in relief, not allowing a hit in fourinnings and striking out a career-high eight batters.
The Wildcats, who were shutout by Winthrop on Friday, finally managedto push a run across the plate in the top of the sixth when SpencerPreston, the Cats leading hitter, blasted a two-run homer over the leftfield wall. The home run was Preston’s team-leading third of the season,and cut the deficit to 10-2.
UK added two runs in the eighth on RBI’s from Beau Moore and VinceHarrison.
In the ninth, the Wildcats managed one final comeback attempt. JonLove singled to lead off the ninth. Brad Pickrell followed with a single ofhis own, putting runners at first and second for Cory Hahn. Hahn, afreshman, came through in a big way, smashing his first collegiate home runover the left field fence, making the score 10-7. But that was as close asKentucky would get as Winthrop closer Jason Horner got Seth Morris toground into a double-play, ending the game.
Keith Pawlish picked up his first win of the season for Winthrop.Pawlish went seven innings, giving up only three hits and two runs, bothunearned. Michael absorbed the loss for the Cats.
Although no UK player managed more than one hit, the Wildcats outhitWU 8-7.
UK will face Appalachian St. (0-2) tomorrow, Sunday, Feb. 18, at 11a.m. at Eagle Field.
Agate R H EKentucky 000 002 023 7 8 4Winthrop 802 000 00x 10 7 1
WP – Pawlish (1-0)LP – Michael (0-2)
HR – UK: Preston, Hahn. WU: Colson
