March 9, 2002
The University of Kentucky baseball team (7-8) fell 22-5 to Ball State (2-4) in a one-hour rain-delayed game at Applebee’s Park Saturday afternoon. The 17-run margin was the most in a UK loss since a 18-0 setback to Florida at Cliff Hagan Stadium on April 8, 2000.
UK starter Scott Wade lasted four complete innings, surrendering seven runs on six hits with five strikeouts and three walks, while BSU left-hander Luke Hagerty pitched 4.1 innings before yielding a hit to the Cats. The game was delayed in the top of the second after Wade caught BSU designated hitter Adam Metzler looking on strikes and did not resume until almost an hour later.
Taking advantage of three Wildcat errors, the Cardinals built a 12-0 lead through five and a half innings before UK crossed the plate. Sophomore Matt Fritts, batting a perfect 4-for-4 on the season, ripped a double to score senior catcher Spencer Preston to get UK on the board.
Kentucky and Ball State each sent five different pitchers to the mound in a game that saw 27 runs scored off 23 hits in windy, chilly conditions in the Bluegrass. Fritts led the Cats at the plate going 3-for-3 with three RBIs, a walk and a double.
The Wildcats and Cardinals will finish the three game series on Sunday, March 10 with a 1 p.m. game time at Applebee’s Park. Freshman lefty Craig Snipp (1-0, 3.46 ERA, 15 K) is the projected starter for UK.
Ball State 003 450 325 - 22 17 3Kentucky 000 010 031 - 5 6 3
