May 3, 2002
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Six different Wildcats collected hits but 11 stranded runners proved to be the difference as the University of Kentucky baseball team fell to Arkansas, 5-1, in the Southeastern Conference series-opener at Baum Stadium Friday night. With the loss, UK falls to 14-29 (3-19 SEC) while UA improves its record to 25-19 (8-11 SEC).
Arkansas got to Cory Hahn in the third when the UK starter plunked Scott Hode to start off the inning. Kirk McConnell and Scott Bridges answered with consecutive singles to load the bases with nobody down. Hahn took it upon himself to get the Wildcats out of the jam. The crafty right-hander got Andrew Wishy and Ryan Fox looking at strike three and darted a blazing fastball past Michael Conner to fan the side and end the Razorback scoring threat.
The Razorbacks lit the scoreboard the next inning when Aaron Graves laced a two-out single to center and scored on a Kirk McConnell base hit down the left field line. UA went up 2-0 when Scott Bridges followed McConnell’s lead with a single to right, scoring Scott Hode who reached on a walk.
UK threatened to bring its first run home in the sixth when Gordon Tyler ripped a leadoff double to right-center and took third on a deep fly to right by Seth Morris. However, Tyler was stranded at third when UA starter Charlie Isaacson caught Mike Ferris looking on strikes and forced Spencer Preston to fly to right.
Coach Keith Madison motioned for senior southpaw Bryan Felkel after Graves reached second on a two-base fielding error by left fielder Brent Stephens and advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt by Hode. AU tacked on another run when Brett Hagedorn drilled a pinch-hit single down the right side of the infield to give the Hogs a 3-0 cushion.
The Wildcats finally put a chink in Isaacson’s armor in the top of the seventh when Russ Rutherford and Brad Pickrell led the inning off with back-to-back base hits. Brent Stephen’s sac fly brought enabled Rutherford to score and shave the UA lead to 3-1.
The Razorbacks wasted no time in getting their run back as Michael Conner blasted his team-leading 13th home run of the season to start UA’s half of the seventh.
UK put the tying run at the plate in the eighth when Isaacson plunked Seth Morris and Mike Ferris reached on an infield single. Spencer Preston looped a single to center to load the bases for Rutherford with one out in the inning. UA head coach Norm DeBriyn lifted his starter for Scott Roehl who fanned Rutherford and Pickrell to quell the Cats’ rally.
Kentucky and Arkansas will continue the series on Saturday, May 4 when junior right-hander Joseph Blanton (3-6, 4.48 ERA) gets his 12th starting opportunity the Wildcats, while the Razorbacks will contend with Jonathan Richardson. First pitch is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET.
UK000 000 100 - 1 6 2UA000 201 11X - 5 13 2Win: Isaacson (3-6)Loss: Hahn (3-6)Save: Roehl (3)Time: 2:50Attendance: 621
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