Feb. 13, 2003
DeLand, Fla. – Stetson University (3-1, 0-0 ASC) used a four-run seventh inning to break open a game that saw two lead changes and two ties, en route to handing Kentucky (0-1, 0-0 SEC) an 8-5 loss in its season opener. With the game tied at five, Stetson’s Bryan Zenchyk doubled in a run and Joe Kurelic delivered a two-run triple to right-center field to give the Hatters the three-run advantage.
The Cats had surged ahead, 4-3, with a two-out single by Jake Kungl, scoring Mike Breyman and Gordon Tyler, in the top of the fourth. After the Hatters tied the game in the bottom of the fifth, Kungl recorded another two-out run scoring hit in the sixth to put UK up, 5-4.
Tyler got the Bat Cats on the board first when he delivered a clutch two-out double to the alley in left-center field to score Casey Gilvin and Spencer Graeter.
Stetson got a run of their own in the bottom half of the second when Joe Kurelic drove a ball deep into left field that Caleb Stewart chased down, but Andy Wilson scored for the Hatters on the sacrafice. Stetson took the lead, 3-2, in the third on a two-run double by first baseman Bryan Zenchyk.
Senior pitcher Scott Wade was impressive in his first outing, as he retired the first three batters in the Hatter lineup, including consecutive strikeouts of Chris Westervelt and Brian Snyder. Wade pitched four innings, giving up five hits, three runs, two earned and striking out five.
Rob Bland (0-1) was saddled with the loss for Kentucky. Bland, pitching in relief of Wade, threw 2 1/3 innings, gave up three runs, two earned, on one hit. Brandon Berlett (1-0) picked up the win for Stetson. Ryan Heacox was credited with the save.
The Bat Cats return to action tomorrow, Friday, Feb. 14, as they continue play in the Amtrak Invitational when they take on the Maryland Terrapins at 2 p.m.
– UK –
