Kentucky 9, Murray State 3:
LEXINGTON — Sophomore pitcher Tommy Warner tossed his first career complete game Wednesday to lead the No. 13 Kentucky baseball team to a 9-3 win over Murray State in the opening game of a doubleheader at Cliff Hagan Stadium.
Warner (2-0) struck out five batters in seven innings of work for the Wildcats (31-10, 11-7), allowing seven hits and not allowing an earned run. Murray State (12-29, 5-10 OVC) senior right-hander Matt Scalfani (0-2) was credited with the loss, working two innings and allowing three earned runs
Sophomore center fielder Antone DeJesus led UK going 2-for-3 at the plate with two runs scored, while junior John Shelby, the reigning SEC Player of the Week, added three RBI.
DeJesus led off the game with a stand-up triple down the right-field line and scored on an RBI single by catcher Sean Couglin two batters later to give Kentucky the early 1-0 advantage.
Murray State answered in the top of the second with catcher Brett Mullins driving in two runs via a single to left-field to give the ‘Breds a one run lead.
In the bottom of the second, right fielder Collin Cowgill answered the Thoroughbreds, driving in DeJesus for the Wildcats second run of the game with a two-out single through the left side of the infield. First basemen Ryan Strieby continued the second-inning rally, driving in Cowgill with an RBI single to give Kentucky a 3-2 lead.
Murray State reliever West Harris held the Wildcats scoreless for two innings until Shelby drove in Strieby with an opposite field base hit to start a fifth-inning rally. Shelby tore up the base paths in the fifth inning, stealing two bases to set up an RBI single from Billy Grace. Left fielder Shaun Lehman continued the Wildcats fifth-inning rally with a two-out triple, scoring Grace to give Kentucky a 6-2 advantage.
Cowgill led off the bottom of the sixth inning with a home run blast over left field. The round-tripper marked his 10th of the season. Shelby continued the inning with a solo shot over the left-field fence, to stretch the Kentucky lead to 9-2.
Murray State scored one run in the top of the seventh inning to narrow the lead to 9-3.
Game Notes
Antone DeJesus hit his eighth career triple to lead off the game. The three-bagger moved him into a tie for fourth all-time in school history.
Collin Cowgill?s home run in the sixth inning marked his 10th on the season. Kentucky now has three players with 10 or more home runs this season, marking the first time Kentucky has had 10 or more home runs from three players since the 1999 campaign.
Second basemen John Shelby hit his 12th home run of the season in the sixth inning, tying him for the team lead with junior Ryan Strieby.
Sophomore left-hander Tommy Warner earned his first complete game of his career, improving to 2-0 on the season with the win. Warner struck out five ‘Breds batters, allowing just seven hits.
Kentucky 3, Murray State 2:
LEXINGTON — Sophomore Kentucky outfielder Collin Cowgill blasted his 11th home run of the season in the bottom of the seventh inning Wednesday to propel the 13th-ranked Wildcats to their seventh consecutive win in a 3-2 victory over Murray State on Wednesday night at Cliff Hagan Stadium.
Kentucky (32-10) trailed 1-0 heading into the seventh after the Thoroughbreds (12-30) plated the game?s lone run to that point in the top of the fourth. After being held scoreless through six innings, Cowgill blasted a two-run shot over the right-field fence scoring third baseman Matt McKinney, who opened the inning with a walk. Senior Michael Bertram contributed to the seventh-inning rally, coming on to pinch hit, scoring junior Ryan Strieby on a sacrifice fly.
Wildcat right-hander Zach Dials got his first start of the season, hurling three scoreless innings and allowing just one hit before being relieved by junior Dewayne Oxford. Using five pitchers, UK held the Thoroughbreds to two runs on eight hits.
Sidewinder Brock Baber earned the win, to improve to 4-0 on the season after tossing one scoreless inning.
Murray State scored the game?s first run, with a fourth-inning two-out single to center-field by junior Austin Swain, plating ?Breds catcher Brett Wilson.
Kentucky threatened in the bottom of the fourth, loading the bases but failing to come away with any runs.
The ?Breds answered Kentucky?s rally in the eighth, driving home a run via a sacrifice fly off the bat of Murray State catcher Brett Wilson.
The rally would not be enough however, as sophomore Andrew Albers closed out the game and earn his second save of the season.
Kentucky returns to action Friday when it travels to Nashville to take on No. 21 Vanderbilt in a three-game series. Friday?s first pitch at Charles Hawkins Field at McGugin Stadium is slated for 7 p.m. EDT. The game will be broadcast live on the Big Blue Sports Network with Neil Price.
Game Notes
Sophomore reliever Brock Baber earned the win to improve to 4-0 on the season.
Kentucky’s win was the seventh in a row and their 12 consecutive non-conference victory.
Outfielder Collin Cowgill rocketed his 11th homerun of the season and second of the twinbill.
Junior Ryan Strieby recorded his 18th double of the season, which puts him first in the SEC in doubles.
