Lexington, (Ky.) ? Kentucky left 16 runners on base and fell to Eastern Michigan for the second time in as many days, 17-13, on Saturday at Cliff Hagan Stadium. The Wildcats out hit the Eagles, 20-15, and got three hits each from Casey Gilvin, Spencer Graeter, Aaron Edwards and Jesse Barber.
UK played from behind all day, as Eastern Michigan got six runs in the top of the first inning, sending 10 batters to the plate. Brian Bixler and Ryan Ford started the inning with consecutive singles and Todd Kimling was later hit by a pitch to load the bases. Ryan Arnett, Steve Palombo and Derek Lehrman put together back-to-back-to-back singles to score four runs and Brad Hrovat doubled in the final two of the inning.
The Wildcats came back with two runs in the bottom half of the first. Gilvin doubled and later scored on a Graeter sac fly. Caleb Stewart then laced a double of his own to left center and scored on Edwards? single.
UK trimmed the lead to 6-5 in its half of the second when Gilvin doubled for the second time, Graeter and Stewart were both hit by a pitch and Edwards? singled to left. A miscue in left field by EMU allowed all three runners to score.
Eastern Michigan scored three runs in each the fourth and fifth innings to take a 12-5 lead, but Kentucky answered with four of its own in the bottom of the fifth as Jesse Barber and Gilvin doubled, Graeter singled and Stewart was hit by a pitch. Graeter and Stewart both scored on an Eastern Michigan error to make it a 12-9 game.
The Eagles tacked on two in the seventh, one in the eighth and two more in the ninth. The Cats tried to rally, scoring two more in the bottom of the eighth and ninth, but the comeback fell short.
Craig Snipp (0-1) started for Kentucky and threw 3 2/3 innings, allowing nine earned runs on nine hits. He struck out seven Eastern Michigan batters. Will Stewardson (1-0) picked up the win in relief for the Eagles.
The same two teams will be back in action on Sunday at Cliff Hagan Stadium. First pitch is set for 1:05 p.m. Seth Stanley will make his first start of the season for Kentucky.
— UK ?
