Lexington, (Ky.) ? Jesse Barber went 3-for-4 with five runs batted in and three runs scored to lead the Kentucky offense on its way to a 21-4 pounding of Wright State on Sunday afternoon at Cliff Hagan Stadium. UK banged out 20 hits, with five players having at least two. The win was the ninth of the year for Kentucky (9-4, 0-0 SEC).

Kalen Gibson (1-0) threw six good innings, allowing four runs on eight hits and striking out four Raiders. Billy Grace and Michael Bertram joined Barber with three hits a piece. Aaron Edwards hit his first home run of the season, a three-run blast over the wall in left center as part of a six-run eighth inning for the Cats. Grace, Bertram and John Shelby all had three RBI as well.

UK scored in six different innings and had six runs in each the sixth and eighth innings. The Cats got three in the second and again in the third, and scored two more times in the fourth. Stewart and Mike Breyman each scored four runs and three other players scored three times each.

?I felt like we swung the bats well all weekend,? UK coach John Cohen said. ?I think today was just one of those days where it all came together. We got a few good bounces and were able to drive in some runs.?

Leading 8-4 in the bottom of the sixth, the damage started when Stewart reached on an error. After Breyman and Shelby walked, the bases were loaded when Barber laced a double to the wall in left center to score all three runners. Bertram followed with a double of his own to score Barber, Edwards walked and Grace brought both home with a single to right. In all, Kentucky sent 12 batters to the plate in the inning.

Wright State used six different pitchers in the game. Kyle Young (0-1) suffered the loss. Matt Barhorst led the WSU offense with a 3-for-3 afternoon and two RBI.

Kentucky is back in action on Wednesday as it travels to Bowling Green for a matinee with Western Kentucky. Game time is set for 3 p.m. (ET). The Wildcats then will return home to host the UK Invitational Tournament this weekend.

— UK —