March 30, 2002
The University of Kentucky baseball team lost both games to No. 15 Ole Miss in a Southeastern Conference doubleheader at Cliff Hagan Stadium Saturday. The Wildcats (11-14, 2-6 SEC) scored five runs in the first inning but surrendered nine unanswered runs to fall 9-5 in the opener, while the Rebels crossed the plate three times in the eighth to surpass the Cats, 5-4, in the second half of the twin bill.
“We had several chances to get runners across the plate in both games and we didn’t get it done,” Coach Keith Madison said. “We came out hitting the ball well today and I thought Scott Wade had a solid performance in the second game. We have to take advantage of scoring opportunities when given to us. You have to give Ole Miss credit, they are a good hitting team and their hitters came up with the clutch hits when they needed them.”
In game one, the Wildcats provided junior right-hander Joseph Blanton (3-3) a five-run cushion to work with as they crossed the plate five times on six-straight hits in their half of the first. Spencer Graeter, Brad Pickrell, Caleb Stewart and Robert Newton all posted singles until Seth Morris nailed his eighth home run of the season, a three-run blast to right-center field.
The offensive explosion for the Cats would subside. UM starter J. R. Pickens (5-1) settled in to pitch six scoreless innings after the UK first inning rally. Blanton, losing his past two league decisions, scattered nine runs throughout the game. The Rebels brought two home in the second, one in the fourth, two in the fifth, one in sixth, two in the seventh and one in the eighth. The Brownsville, Ky. native, finished the day with six complete innings, six runs (six earned) on eight hits, four walks and eight strikeouts.
At the plate, Morris reached base safely to extend his streak to 19 games, while Brad Pickrell and Mike Ferris recorded two hits apiece.
Ole Miss020121210 - 9 13 1Kentucky500000000 - 5 11 1Win: Pickens (5-1)Loss: Blanton (3-3)Time: 2:35Attendance: 470
