Feb. 22, 2003
Charleston, S.C. –
Caleb Stewart squeezed Spencer Graeter in from third base to give UK (3-2, 0-0 SEC) a 5-4 lead in the bottom of the eighth breaking a 4-4 tie and giving the Bat Cats their third win of the season, as they defeated the Boston College Eagles (0-2, 0-0 Big East). Freshman Rob Bland came on to nail it down in the ninth and earn the first save of his young career. James Rodriquez (2-0) got the victory in relief of starter Heath Castle.
Russ Rutherford singled up the middle to score Mike Breyman and Gordy Tyler in the bottom half of the sixth inning to give Kentucky a 4-3 lead. The Eagles came back in the top of the eighth to tie the game at 4-4 on an unearned run when Ryan Morgan’s sacrifice fly scored Josh Discipio.
“We decided to put on a safety squeeze late with Caleb (Stewart) because he handles the bat very well and we were confident in his ability to get the job done,” Coach Keith Madison said. “James Rodriquez came in with good stuff and gave us some quality innings and Rob Bland came on to shut the door with some excellent stuff today.”
Boston College scored first in the top half of the second inning on a run-scoring single off the bat of Vinny Scavone, followed by a double from Greer to score Scavone. The Cats answered in the bottom of the second when junior Mike Breyman launched the team’s first home run of the season through a stiff wind and over the right field wall.
Kentucky tied the game, 2-2, in the bottom of the fourth on a Caleb Stewart fielder’s choice that scored Graeter from third base. Boston College retook the advantage, 3-2, in the top of the sixth when Lederhos doubled to left center field, scoring Drew Locke from first base on a close play at home plate.
Castle threw five innings, allowing two runs, one earned, on five hits. Jake Marsello (0-1) took the loss for the Eagles.
The Bat Cats are in action again on Sunday, Feb. 23, in their final game of the Charleston Crab House Challenge. They face No. 15 Richmond University (1-0, 0-0 CAC) at 10 a.m.
– UK –
