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Alabamas Mark Carter out-dueled Kentuckys Scott Wade in leading the Crimson Tide to a 3-1 victory over the Wildcats onFriday afternoon at Cliff Hagan Stadium. Amidst the rain and drizzle, Carter and Wade both tossed complete games in a well-playedSoutheastern Conference battle.
Carter (4-1, 3.35 ERA) allowed only four hits, struck out two and did not give up an earned run en route to picking up his fourth winof the season. Wade (2-3, 2.25 ERA) scattered twelve hits and was charged with three runs, all earned, in falling to 2-3 on theseason, despite pitching his third consecutive complete game.
The loss was UKs first in six games at home this season and snapped the Cats three-game winning streak.
UK (10-9, 2-2 SEC) got on the board first in the bottom of the third inning. Taylor McInnis reached base on an error by theAlabama shortstop and advance to third on a failed pickoff attempt. Vince Harrison then hit a sacrifice fly to center field, scoringMcInnis and giving the Cats a 1-0 lead.
UA (14-7, 2-2 SEC) would even the score in the fifth on Kavonski Chatmans second home run of the season. Chatmans blast wasthe first run Wade had surrendered in 16 1/3 innings.
The Tide took the lead for good with two runs in the sixth. With one out, Aaron Clark doubled to right field. Brent Boyd followedwith an infield single, moving Clark to third and putting runners on the corners. After a wild pitch advanced Boyd to second, BeauHearod drove in both runners with an RBI single down the left field line, putting the Tide up 3-1.
That would prove to be more than enough run support for Carter, as the junior left-hander held the Cats to one hit during for theremainder of the game.
Casey Lambert led the Tide with three hits in four at-bats. Hearod, Chatman and Jeremy Brown added two apiece for UA.
No Kentucky player reached base more than once. Caleb Brock registered the Cats lone extra-base hit with a double in the firstinning.
Kentucky and Alabama will play the second game of the three-game series tomorrow afternoon at Cliff Hagan Stadium, with the firstpitch scheduled for 2:05 p.m. EST. Joseph Blanton (0-2, 3.35 ERA) will be on the hill for the Cats. Lance Cormier (3-3, 1.91ERA) is scheduled to start for Alabama.
Alabama 000 012 000 3 12 2Kentucky 001 000 000 1 4 1WP - Carter (4-1)LP - Wade (2-3)HR - Chatman
