Feb. 21, 2003
Charleston, S.C. –
The University of Kentucky baseball team (2-2, 0-0 SEC) dropped a one-run decision to the host Citadel Bulldogs (1-3, 0-0 SC), in its opener at the Charleston Crab House Challenge in Charleston, S.C. Trailing, 3-1, the Cats loaded the bases in the top of the ninth inning, but couldn’t score against Bulldog closer Shannon Sprouse, as The Citadel earned its first win of the young season.
Kentucky wasted a fine effort by starter Scott Wade (0-1), who threw seven strong innings, giving up two earned runs on just four hits and striking out five. Matt Scott gave up the third run in relief of Wade. Mark Galvin came on to pitch out of a jam in the eighth, giving the Cats a chance for the drama in the final inning. Matt Hamer (1-0) picked up the win for the Bulldogs.
Lexington native Casey Gilvin had five singles on the night. The Henry Clay High School graduate became only the seventh Wildcat to go 5-for-5 in a game. Caleb Stewart was the last to accomplish the feat when he did it on Feb. 25, 2002 against Washington State in a 9-8 loss. Spencer Graeter collected two hits for the Wildcats, who stranded 11 runners in the game.
The Bat Cats got on the board in the first inning when Gilvin and Graeter reached base on back-to-back singles to start the game. Gilvin later came around to score the game’s first run on an RBI groundout by Gordy Tyler. The Citadel answered with a run in its half of the first inning when Andy Phillips scored on a RBI double off the bat of Chip Cannon.
The Bulldogs took the lead, 2-1, in the bottom of the fifth after Wade hit Chris Ard and he advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt. Ard moved to third on an errant pick off attempt by Wade and came in to score on a Phillips groundout.
The Wildcats will return to action on day two of the Charleston Crab House Challenge when they suit up against the Boston College Eagles (0-1, 0-0 Big East) on Sat., Feb. 22, at 10 a.m. BC fell to North Carolina State, 4-3, in earlier action today.
– UK –
