Knoxville, (Tenn.) ? Tennessee starting pitcher Sean Watson limited Kentucky to just one run on two hits over eight innings as the 13th-ranked Volunteers defeated the Wildcats, 7-1, on Saturday night in Knoxville. The loss was UK?s seventh in a row and dropped the Cats to 14-12 on the season and 2-6 in the Southeastern Conference. UT improved its record to 23-5 (5-3 SEC).

?We?re getting great effort as a team, but we?re struggling right now,? UK head coach John Cohen said. ?I can?t fault our players? effort. We just have to come back to work tomorrow and focus on getting better. Sean Watson is a quality pitcher and we couldn?t get him figured out tonight.?

Tennessee opened the scoring in the bottom of the second, getting to UK starter Seth Stanley for two runs. Alex Suarez doubled to score Nick Crowe from first with the game?s first run. Suarez scored on David Lamar?s two-out single to give the Vols an early 2-0 lead.

Kentucky put a run on the board in the top of the third when Michael Bertram singled to start the inning and later scored on a wild pitch from UT starter Sean Watson. The Wildcats blew a golden opportunity in the inning, however, as they left the bases loaded.

The Vols stretched their lead to 4-1 in the bottom of the fourth when Eli Iorg laced a triple to deep centerfield, scoring Crowe and Chris Kemp.

The teams will wrap up the three-game series on Sunday with a 2 p.m. tilt at Lindsey Nelson Stadium. Sophomore Craig Snipp (1-3) will toe the rubber for the Wildcats. He will be opposed by Tennessee?s Ben Riley (2-1). All the action can be heard live on 96.1 FM in Lexington. Live audio and stats are available at www.ukathletics.com.

— UK —