Feb. 14, 2003
DeLand, Fla. –
The University of Kentucky baseball team (1-1, 0-0 SEC) scored three times in the bottom of the sixth, two crossing the plate on a Mike Breyman single, to break open a 2-1 ballgame as they went on to their first victory of the 2003 season.
UK got on the board first in the bottom half of the first inning on a RBI single by Caleb Stewart. The Cats wasted a golden opportunity in the inning, however, as they grounded into a double play with the bases loaded. Kentucky loaded the bases in each of the first two innings, but managed only one run.
Maryland tied the game at 1-1 in the top of the fourth when Kyle George and Bobby Ryan each singled to start the inning. George came around to score on a Daryl Whitmer sacrifice fly to right.
Kentucky moved back ahead in its half of the fifth inning on a groundout by Stewart that scored Spencer Graeter from third.
UK reliever James Rodriquez (1-0) pitched out of a two-on, no-out jam in the sixth as he retired Justin Maxwell on a fly ball to right, struck Daryl Whitmer out looking and induced Anthony Buffone into a fly out to center. Rodriquez went on to pick up his first victory of the season, going three-and-a-third innings and giving up just one earned run, on three hits.
Mark Galvin, pitching in relief of Rodriquez, got a ground ball double play off the bat of Maryland pinch-hitter Steve Hannegan to get out a bases-loaded jam in the top of the seventh. Matt Scott came on in the eighth and got a ground ball double play to end the game in the top of the ninth and pick up his first save of the season. Kentucky starter Heath Castle went three plus innings, giving up one earned run on four hits in his debut with the Bat Cats.
Casey Gilvin led the offensive attack for UK. The Lexington native was three-for-five at the plate, with a RBI and two runs scored. Stewart drove in two runs on two hits, while Graeter and Jake Kungl also had two hits each.
“I was proud of the way our guys competed offensively today,” Head Coach Keith Madison said. “Casey Gilvin did an outstanding job setting the table all day, and Mike Breyman came through with a big hit.”
“Defensively, Joe Naill saved us a few times with some great plays at shortstop.”
The Bat Cats return to action tomorrow, Saturday, Feb. 15, as they play their final game of the Amtrak Invitational against the George Washington Colonials at 5 p.m.
– UK –
