April 12, 2003
Tuscaloosa, Ala. –
Kentucky (14-19, 2-11 SEC) rode the arms of starter Heath Castle and relievers Kaeln Gibson and Seth Stanley to pick up a 5-3 victory over the homestanding Alabama Crimson Tide (24-11, 7-7 SEC). Castle (3-3) threw 6 2/3 innings, allowing just three runs on six hits. Gibson came on to hold the Tide scoreless in 1 1/3 innings of one-hit work and Stanley slammed the door in the ninth to earn his first career save.
“Heath (Castle) competed really well even though he didn’t have his best stuff today,” UK Coach Keith Madison said. “I was very proud of how our bullpen threw late in the game. Both Stanley and Gibson did an outstanding job in relief.”
Leading 4-3, Aaron Edwards provided Kentucky with an insurance run in the top of the ninth, collecting his first career hit and RBI on a single to center that scored Casey Gilvin from third. UK had the bases loaded, but Brad Pickrell hit a hard ground ball that turned into an inning-ending double play for the Tide.
Jake Kungl led the Cats on the afternoon, going 3-for-3, scoring twice and driving in a run. Gilvin, Mike Breyman and Caleb Brock recorded two hits each.
Breyman got the scoring started for Kentucky in the top of the first, lifting his seventh home run of the season over the wall in left. The Cats added two more in the fourth. Caleb Stewart started the inning with a double to right center, but was injured running to second base. Pinch runner David Waespe crossed the plate on a Kungl double to left and Kungl came in when Brock singled through the right side of the infield. The fourth UK run came in the sixth when Kungl again doubled and scored on a Brock single.
Alabama cut the Kentucky lead to 4-3 in the seventh, courtesy of an Al Hecklinski three-run home run. After James Rodriquez walked a batter, Gibson and Stanley came on to hold Alabama at bay.
The two teams will finish the three-game series with the rubber match on Sunday afternoon. First pitch is set for 3 p.m. EST from Sewell-Thomas Field. All the action can be heard live on 96.1 FM.
– UK –
