Lexington, (Ky.) ? Kentucky scored nine runs on 13 hits, but was unable to overcome five errors as it fell to Dayton on Sunday by a 17-9 score, in the final game of the Kentucky Wildcat Invitational Tournament. Dayton (5-8) pounded out 21 hits for the game and scored six runs in the top of the ninth on its way to the victory. The loss dropped the Wildcats to 12-5 on the season.
The trouble started for Kentucky in the top of the seventh inning as the Flyers crossed the plate four times and took a 10-7 lead. Patrick Flynn opened the inning with a single and Tom Beechem singled one out later, scoring Flynn. Brandon Godzik?s double scored Beechem before Aaron Hepner walked. A Kentucky error let Godzik cross the plate and Hepner came in on a Chad Liter sacrifice fly.
Kentucky had battled from behind to take a 7-6 advantage in the bottom of the sixth, on the power of Caleb Stewart?s fifth home run of the season, a solo shot to left center field. Trailing 11-8 in the bottom of the eighth inning, Casey Gilvin hit his fifth homer of the year, and his third in two days, to bring the Cats to within two at 11-9, but a six-run ninth iced the game for the Flyers. The rally started with another Kentucky fielding miscue, which was followed by five consecutive hits, highlighted by a two-run double from Kris Kemmer.
Adam Kunkel (1-1) took the loss for Kentucky. Luke Trubee (2-1) picked up the win for Dayton. Five Kentucky players had two hits each, with Justin Scutchfield driving in three runs. Flynn led the Dayton attack, going 4-for-4 with three RBI and four runs scored.
After Dayton took a 1-0 lead in the top of the second inning, UK answered with three runs in the bottom half. Mike Breyman opened the inning with a double and John Shelby was hit by a pitch. After a sacrifice bunt from Michael Bertram, Jesse Barber walked and Breyman scored on a wild pitch. Scutchfield then delivered a single to center to score Shelby and Barber, putting Kentucky up, 3-1. The lead was short-lived, as Dayton got three runs in the top of the third. The score was tied at 4-4 after three innings and 6-6 after five.
Kentucky is back in action this Tuesday as it plays host to Evansville. First pitch is set for 5 p.m. at Cliff Hagan Stadium. The Cats will then open Southeastern Conference play with a weekend trip to Auburn, Ala., to face off with the Auburn Tigers.
— UK —
