Lexington, (Ky.) ? The Kentucky offense erupted for 18 runs on 19 hits as the Wildcats defeated Eastern Michigan, 18-7, at Cliff Hagan Stadium on Sunday. UK brought home seven runs in the bottom of the fourth inning, sending 10 batters to the plate and collecting six hits. Kentucky scored in six different innings, including three in both the first and second.
Six UK players had multiple hits in the game, highlighted by Casey Gilvin?s 4-for-6 afternoon, which included a two-run home run. He also drove in five runs and scored three times. Caleb Stewart was equally as impressive, going 3-for-4 with three runs batted in and five runs scored. Spencer Graeter, John Shelby, Jesse Barber and Michael Bertram had two hits a piece.
?I really feel like we?ve had a good approach at the plate all weekend,? head coach John Cohen said. ?It was nice to see us be aggressive today, put runners on base and drive them in.?
Kentucky (3-2, 0-0 SEC) batted around in the bottom of the first, scoring three runs to take an early 3-1 lead. Graeter and Gilvin got the offense started with consecutive singles. Graeter scored on Stewart?s single. Control problems then set in for Eastern Michigan starter Matt Onderline (0-2) as he hit Shelby and walked Barber and Justin Scutchfield to force in runs.
The Wildcats added three more runs in the top of the second as Graeter walked, Gilvin singled and Stewart doubled to score both. Stewart came around on a Shelby ground out to give UK a 6-1 advantage.
The big fourth inning was started with a Stewart single and an Aaron Edwards walk. Shelby singled to score Stewart before Barber singled to load the bases. Bertram and J.B. Schmidt delivered run-scoring hits, Bertram singling in two and Schmidt?s double bringing in another.
Meanwhile, Kentucky starter Seth Stanley (2-0) was cruising, retiring the Eagles in order in the second and third innings. The senior threw five innings, allowing five runs, four earned, while striking out six, to pick up his second win of the young season.
?I?m pleased with what Seth Stanley did for us today on the mound,? Cohen said. ?He has a lot of movement and sink on his fastball, so he keeps the ball in the park and gives us a chance to win. He?s only going to get better as the season goes on.?
Eastern Michigan (3-3, 0-0 MAC) was led by Brian Bixler, who was 4-for-5 with two runs. Ryan Ford and Derek Lehrman had two hits each for the Eagles.
The two teams will take a day off on Monday before finishing the four-game series on Tuesday afternoon. UK will send Kalen Gibson to the mound in search of a split with the Eagles. Game time is slated for 3 p.m. on Tuesday at Cliff Hagan Stadium.
— UK ?
