Nov. 5, 2012
LEXINGTON, Ky. — Led by seven runs over the second and third innings and a dominating performance from closer Trevor Gott, Blue posted a 7-6 win over White to win the Kentucky Baseball Fall World Series and conclude UK’s fall practice season, on a pleasant Sunday afternoon at Cliff Hagan Stadium.
After White jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first inning, Blue plated three in the second and four runs in the third for a 7-1 lead. White rallied with a three-run homer from junior infielder Paul McConkey in the bottom of the third inning and added two runs in the fourth, but Gott came on in relief to get the final five outs – four by strikeout – to seal the series win for Blue.
Blue got a three-RBI game from freshman outfielder Kyle Barrett, who went 2-for-3 with a walk and a steal. Thomas Bernal added a 2-for-3 game, with freshman outfielder Dorian Hairston going 2-for-4. Lucas Witt, Micheal Thomas and Andrew Bryant each added hits, with Bryant charting a two-RBI double. Freshman infielder Thomas Weaver drew a pair of walks.
White was paced by the three-run homer from McConkey, with All-America centerfielder Austin Cousino scoring three total runs in a 1-for-3 game, stealing a base. All weekend, White was led by catcher Greg Fettes, who went 2-for-4 on Sunday to finish 8-for-10 on the weekend. White got a hit from Max Kuhn (1-for-4) and two-hit games from Fettes and Jacob Russell (2-for-3). Zac Zellers added a walk and stole a base.
Blue started freshman 6-foot-8 right-hander Kyle Cody, who worked 2.2 innings, allowing four hits and four runs, walking three and striking out two. Freshman lefty Ryne Combs relieved him in the third, tossing 2.2 innings, allowing three hits and two runs, walking to and striking out two. Gott then took over in the sixth, striking out four of the five batters faced without allowing a base runner.
White started freshman lefty Dylan Dwyer, who worked two innings, allowing four hits and five runs – four earned – walking two and striking out three. Freshman Matt Pope – a 6-foot-7 righty – worked two innings, allowing four hits and two runs, walking one and striking out two. Sophomore southpaw Jeff Boehm was dominant out of the bullpen for White, tossing three shutout, one-hit innings, walking one and striking out one.
Over the three-game weekend, Blue was paced by A.J. Reed’s four hits, with the 6-foot-4 two-way All-American batting .364 (4-for-11) with an RBI. Freshman infielder Zack Storm went 3-for-5, with Barrett batting .429 (3-for-7) with a triple and five RBI. Bernal went 3-for-10 and Witt collected three RBI at the top of the order. Senior righty Walter Wijas and Gott each notched saves, with Wijas hurling three shutout, one-hit innings in the opener.
For the series, Fettes’ three games stand out, with the freshman catcher batting .800 (8-for-10) with a double and two RBI, going 3-for-3 on each Friday and Saturday. Zellers hit .333 (3-for-9) with an RBI, two walks and a steal. Russell and Kuhn each added two hits, with McConkey leading White with four RBI. Boehm and freshman righty Tyler Cox had the best relief pitching outings, with Cox tossing 2.2 hitless innings.
In the bottom of the first inning, White took a 1-0 lead, as Cousino drew a walk to leadoff and stole second base. Second baseman J.T. Riddle forced him home with an RBI bunt.
Blue took a lead in the second inning, as Hairston led off with a single and Weaver drew a walk. Bryant then reached on an error, with Hairston scoring. Barrett scored Weaver and Bryant with a two-RBI single, stealing second base.
In the top of the third inning, Blue added four runs, as Bernal and Thomas led off with singles. Weaver drew a walk to load the bases for Bryant, who doubled to score a pair of runs. Barrett followed with a single to score Weaver and Witt added an RBI single to plate Bryant.
White rallied with three runs in the bottom of the third inning, as Cousino led off with a single and Zellers drew a walk. After a pair of outs, McConkey launched the three-run homer to put White in striking distance.
In the bottom of the fourth inning, White plated two runs for the final margin, 7-6. Russell led off with a double and pinch hitter Damon Saunders drew a walk. After a Cousino fielder’s choice, Zellers scored one with an RBI ground out and after Riddle drew a walk, Kuhn singled home Cousino.
