March 13, 2002
The University of Kentucky baseball team came back to score two runs in the bottom of the eighth to defeat Austin Peay, 4-3, at Applebee’s Park Wednesday. Scott Wade (3-2) came in relief to earn the win as the Wildcats (9-8), now 10-2 in the series with the Governors (7-6), improved to 5-3 in one-run games.
“I thought the key to the comeback win today was Scott Wade coming in and slamming the door in relief duties,” Coach Keith Madison said. “Our hitters also executed when they had to. Caleb Stewart did a great job of advancing the game-winning runner from second to third and Gordon Tyler had a great approach at the plate on getting a sacrifice fly to score Brad (Pickrell). I’m proud of our execution today.”
The Wildcats fell behind 3-0 to the Govs, but finally got to APSU’s starting left-hander Mike Weel in the fifth. Weel, not allowing a hit or base runner unit Brad Pickrell singled in the fourth inning, gave up back-to-back singles to third baseman Cory Hahn and catcher Spencer Preston. Matt Fritts, starting at the designated hitter spot, ripped a singled to score Hahn, and Pickrell’s sacrifice fly to left scored Preston, shaving APSU’s lead to one at 3-2.
Wade entered in the sixth for starter Rob Corrado and threw four complete innings, allowing no runs on two hits while striking out five and walking one. Casey Calloway relieved Weel in the eighth with Pickrell on second and no outs. Stewart executed fundamental baseball skills and knocked the ball to the first base side, allowing Pickrell to advance to third. Tyler then brought him home on a sacrifice to center field, giving UK a 4-3 lead that it would not relinquish.
Kentucky begins Southeastern Conference play this weekend when it travels to Auburn for a three-game series. AU owns a 53-30 edge on UK, including a 25-15 mark on the Plains. Junior right-hander Joseph Blanton (2-1, 1.84 ERA, 46 K), the SEC Pitcher of the Week, will get the start against AU’s junior right-hander Levale Speigner (4-1, 3.74, 24 K) on Friday, March 15 at 7:30 p.m. ET.
Austin Peay 001 110 000 - 3 6 3Kentucky 000 020 02X - 4 5 2Win: Wade (3-2)Loss: Callaway (1-1)Time: 2:20Attendance: 221
– UK –
