LEXINGTON, Ky. — No. 12 Kentucky exploded for seven runs in the first two innings Tuesday and starter Tommy Warner worked five strong innings to pace the Wildcats to their 18th consecutive victory, a 13-2 decision against Canisius, at Cliff Hagan Stadium.
The Wildcats, who extended the nation?s longest home regular-season winning streak to 28 games, continued their potent offensive attack with their 11th double-digit run performance of the season. Kentucky did its damage with just four doubles as the only extra-base hits in the contest.
Warner (2-0) earned the win, allowing five hits and a single run in his longest outing of the season. Freshmen James Paxton and Colby Brown combined to allow just one hit in the final four frames.
Shortstop Brian Spear came up big for the Wildcats, driving in three runs and taking advantage of two walks. Four Kentucky players recorded multi-hit performances as part of a balanced offensive attack that saw the Wildcats register 12 or more hits for the seventh consecutive game.
Kentucky stormed out of the dugout to begin the game as Mike Brown reached on a bunt single and then stole second before being driven in by a single up the middle from Antone DeJesus. DeJesus swiped second base, his first of two steals on the day, advancing to third on a wild pitch. He later scored on the first of two Canisius errors on the day. After the Wildcats loaded the bases, Billy Grace was hit by a pitch to drive in Sawyer Carroll for an early 3-0 UK advantage.
In the second inning, with the Wildcats leading 3-1, Mike Brown was hit by a pitch to lead off and DeJesus followed with a walk. After a fielder?s choice snagged DeJesus at second, a Canisius throwing error scored Brown before a three-run double by Spear cleared the basis and extended UK?s advantage to 7-0.
The Wildcats added a run in the fourth as Matt McKinney singled with two outs and came around to score on a single to center field by Grace.
After Canisius scored a run in the seventh due to a throwing error against Paxton, the Wildcats responded with a run of their own as Grace led off the innings with a sharp double down the right field line and was singled in by Brown.
In the eighth, Kentucky broke the game open, pushing across four runs on just one hit. UK had five walks, four wild pitches, and one hit batter in the inning.
Starter Ryan McGorman, one of four pitchers on the day for the Golden Griffins, took the loss for Canisius. He allowed seven runs, walking three and allowing five hits. Middle reliever Mike Goemans tossed four innings before Chris Cox gave up five runs in relief of Goemans.
Kentucky concludes its two-game series against Canisius on Wednesday at 4 p.m. EST. The game marks the final tune-up before Southeastern Conference play begins. It will be carried live on WRXA 1580 AM with Dick Gabriel.
Wednesday’s game marks another installment of website Wednesday’s. Fans can visit the official home of UK Athletics, UKathletics.com before the game to print a special admission coupon.
Post Game Notes
Team Records and Series Notes
Kentucky?s 18-0 start is the best in school history and ranks as the longest winning streak in school annals.
Kentucky has now won 28 consecutive games at Cliff Hagan Stadium, the longest home winning streak in college baseball and in school history.
Kentucky?s 18-game win streak ranks as the best in school history.
The game marked the first in the all-time series between the Wildcats and Golden Griffins.
With the loss, Canisius falls to 4-11
Kentucky returns to action Wednesday when it closes its two-game series with Canisius before beginning Southeastern Conference play on Friday against Arkansas. First pitch between the Wildcats and Golden Griffins is set for 4 p.m. EDT.
Team Notes
The Wildcats have now plated 222 runs in just 18 games, after setting the school record with 500 runs scored during 2006.
Kentucky has had 10 or more hits in 13 of 18 games.
The Wildcats have tallied 12 or more hits each in seven consecutive games.
UK charted double-digit runs for the 11th time this season and the third time in four games.
Individual Notes
Shortstop Brian Spear had a game-high three RBI and narrowly missed tying his career-high of four RBI set in the team?s March 7 contest with Cincinnati.
Mike Brown continued his hot hitting, going 2-for-4 at the plate. Over the last 10 games, Brown is batting .605 (26-for-43) with 21 runs, five doubles and 15 RBI.
Keenan Wiley has appeared in 17 games this season.
