March 14, 2003
Oxford, Miss. –
Ole Miss third baseman Jonathan Swearingen hit a ground ball under UK shortstop’s Joe Naill’s glove, scoring Charlie Babineaux from third with the winning run in the bottom of the 10th inning, as the Rebels (11-6, 1-0 SEC) defeated the Bat Cats (7-9, 0-1 SEC) in the conference opener for both teams. Ole Miss had loaded the bases on a walk, fielder’s choice and a bunt single. UK reliever Kalen Gibson (2-1) induced Matt Tolbert into a foul out to third base for the first out of the inning before the game’s decisive play.
The game was a pitching duel, with both starters lasting seven innings. UK’s Scott Wade threw seven innings, allowing just two runs while scattering seven hits and striking out eight. Ole Miss starter Mark Holliman matched Wade, going 7 2/3 innings and giving Kentucky two runs, one earned, on just three hits.
Brad Pickrell broke up a 1-1 tie in the top of the fifth inning with a single to left center to score Caleb Stewart, who recorded UK’s first hit of the game to lead off the inning. Ole Miss’ Brian Pettway answered in the bottom of the inning, sending a solo home run over the wall in right to tie the game at 2-2.
Kentucky opened the scoring in the top half of the first inning when Joe Naill led off with a walk and later came in to score on a sacrifice fly from Mike Breyman. The Rebels answered in the bottom of the first, scoring on a Seth Smith infield single that brought Jonathan Swearingen across the plate. Wade worked out of a bases-loaded jam, though, getting a strikeout and a fly ball to end the Ole Miss threat.
The same two teams are back in action on Saturday, March 15th, in game two of the three-game set. First pitch is set for 2:30 p.m. EST at Swayze Field.
– UK –
