LEXINGTON, Ky. — Georgia?s Gordon Beckham and Ryan Peisel each hit three-run home runs Saturday as the Bulldogs defeated Kentucky 9-3 at Cliff Hagan Stadium to even the weekend?s Southeastern Conference series and set up a rubber match Sunday at 1 p.m. EDT.
The Bulldogs (17-27, 7-13 SEC) used a pair of colossal innings to propel their offense with a four-run fifth and a four-run eighth. Catcher Joey Lewis went 5-for-5 at the plate with a career-high five hits, including two doubles to lead Georgia, which registered 14 hits on the day.
Kentucky (29-13-1, 8-11-1) third baseman Matt McKinney went 3-for-4 from the plate, marking his fifth three-hit game of the season. He also connected on his sixth and seventh doubles of the season. Sawyer Carroll had his team-leading 20th multi-hit game of the season and extended his hitting streak to a club-best 10 games.
Georgia starter Nathan Moreau pitched five innings, allowing two runs and seven hits. He picked up the win to improve to 3-2 on the year, while reliever Alex McRee closed out the game strong, allowing just one hit over the final three frames, to earn his first save of the season.
UK hurler Andrew Albers (5-3) tossed 6 2/3 innings in the starting role, giving up five runs and nine hits, and was credited with the loss. The Wildcats stranded 10 runners on base in the game.
Kentucky, which found itself down 4-0 after five-and-a-half innings, put together a three-run sixth to bring itself within one run, 4-3. Brian Spear reached on a walk and Wilkes followed with a single through the right side to open the sixth frame. On a ground out by catcher Tyler Howe, an error by Georgia first baseman Rich Poythress allowed Spear to score from third. McKinney sliced a double down the left-field line to plate Wilkes. After a pop out by Antone DeJesus, Brown singled through the left side to cut Kentucky?s deficit to 4-3 by scoring McKinney.
Georgia added a run in the seventh when Peisel singled to left-center field with one out. After another out, Beckham was intentionally walked before Albers was pulled in favor of Duran Ferguson. Poythress followed with a single to left-center to give the Bulldogs a 5-3 advantage.
Georgia secured the victory with four runs in the eighth, highlighted by Peisel?s three-run shot to right field, his third of the season, to move the Bulldogs ahead 9-3.
The two teams conclude the series Sunday at 1 p.m. EDT at Cliff Hagan Stadium. Junior preseason All-American right-hander Greg Dombrowski (4-1, 4.50 ERA) will take the mound against Georgia?s freshman righty Dan Weaver (1-2, 6.31 ERA). The game will be broadcast live on the Big Blue Sports Network, WLAP 630 AM locally, with Neil Price.
The Wildcats threatened in the bottom of the fourth. With two outs, shortstop Ryan Wilkes walked and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Catcher Tyler Howe was plunked by Georgia starter Nathan Moreau to give Kentucky runners on first and second. McKinney, however, flew out to center field to end the threat.
The Bulldogs exploded for four runs in the top of the fifth inning to take a commanding 4-0 advantage. Catcher Joey Lewis led off the inning with a single to center field. Then, with two outs, Peisel singled to the same spot to drive home Lewis. Center fielder Jonathan Wyatt singled to left field on the next at-bat before Peisel and Wyatt were driven in by shortstop Gordon Beckham?s 11th home run of the season.
Post-Game Notes
Team Records and Series Notes
With the loss, Kentucky falls to 29-13-1, 8-11-1 in the Southeastern Conference. Georgia improves to 17-27, 7-13 in the SEC.
The Wildcats still trail the all-time series 116-82-1.
Kentucky and Georgia square off in the rubber match on Sunday at 1 p.m. EDT. Greg Dombrowski will get the nod for UK, facing off with Dean Weaver.
Team Game Notes
Kentucky tallied nine or more hits for the seventh time in as many games, racking up 10 total hits.
Individual Game Notes
Sean Coughlin made his team-best 61st consecutive start.
Matt McKinney led the team with a 3-for-4 performance at the plate. The senior connected on his sixth and seventh doubles of the season.
Andrew Albers tossed 6 2/3 innings, his longest outing since a six inning win over Cleveland State on March 12.
Sawyer Carroll stretched his hit streak to a club-best 10 games. Carroll finished 2-for-5 on the evening.
