Feb. 22, 2015
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — Behind a home run and a career-high four RBI game from sophomore JaVon Shelby, Kentucky posted a 12-7 win over No. 16 UC Santa Santa Barbara to conclude its four-game swing in Southern California, on an overcast Sunday afternoon at Caesar Uyesaka Stadium.
Kentucky (3-3) got a career-high four RBI game from Shelby, who belted a three-run first inning homer to give UK an early advantage. He finished 2-for-5, with UK also boosted by a career-best four hits from sophomore rightfielder Storm Wilson. UK also got two-hit games from Thomas Bernal and Ka’ai Tom, and got hits from Riley Mahan, Evan White and Kyle Barrett.
The Wildcats jumped out to a 6-0 lead after the top of the third inning with three-run frames in the first and third innings, with UK also getting two-run innings in the sixth and eighth.
UK starter Logan Salow worked season-long 3.1 innings in his first start of the year, allowing five hits and three runs, walking two and striking out four. UK called on lefty Dylan Dwyer (1-0) with one out and a runner on base in the fourth after Salow reached his pitch count. Dwyer worked 3.1 innings without allowing an earned run, scattering four hits and striking out three.
Kentucky junior Zach Strecker got an out in the seventh inning in relief of Dwyer. Andrew Nelson started the eighth inning before freshman Zach Logue came on to get out of the frame. Logue faced a bases-loaded, no out jam, getting a double play and a strikeout to take UK into the ninth. Senior righty Spencer Jack worked the ninth inning.
UC Santa Barbara (6-1) starter Justin Jacome (1-1) worked four innings, allowing seven hits and seven runs – four earned – walking one and striking out four. James Carter worked two innings in relief, before Joe Record started the seventh inning. UCSB also used Alex Garcia in relief in the eighth inning.
Kentucky got on the board in the top of the first inning, starting with a one-out single from Wilson. Bernal followed with a single through the left side and after the second out, Shelby belted his second homer of the year, a three-run blast over the leftfield fence.
UK stretched its lead in the top of the third inning, as Barrett led off with a hard-hit error on the right side. Wilson then singled to rightfield and Bernal pushed the duo to scoring position with a sacrifice bunt. Tom then drew a walk to load the bases and Shelby grounded out to the right side, scoring Barrett. White followed with a two-out, two-RBI single to stretch UK’s lead to 6-0.
UCSB got on the board in the bottom of the third inning, as Scott Quinlan drew a walk with one out and Cameron Newell singled through the right side. After Robby Nesovic was hit by a two-strike pitch to load the bases, Salow got a key strikeout for the second out. Woody Woodward then singled up the middle to score Quinlan and Newell.
The Wildcats got a run back in the fourth, as Mahan ripped his first career double to the centerfield wall. Barrett followed with a single to rightfield, with Mahan sliding in head-first to beat the tag at the plate.
In the bottom of the fourth, UCSB mounted a rally with Salow reaching his pitch count. Peter Maris drew a leadoff walk and took second on a two-out groundout. Quinlan then singled to rightfield, scoring Maris.
UK mounted a rally in the sixth inning, as Zach Arnold drew a two-out walk and Mahan reached on a dropped third strike. Barrett then drew a walk to load the bases and Wilson smashed his third hit of the game, scoring Arnold and Mahan.
In the seventh inning, UK plated a run to stretch its lead to 10-3. Tom led off with a single to right centerfield and Shelby followed with a perfectly placed bunt single. After a fielder’s choice put runners on the corners, Greg Fettes chopped a grounder up the middle that allowed Tom to score.
UCSB got a run back in the bottom of the seventh inning, beginning on a one-out infield single from Robby Nesovic. After a second out and a Woodward single, UK turned to Strecker in relief. Pinch hitter Billy Fredrick singled to leftfield with two outs, with the ball skidding under the glove of Tom, allowing Nesovic to score.
UK got two runs in the top of the eighth inning, as Barrett drew a one-out walk and Wilson laid down a bunt single. Tom then forced in Barrett and Wilson with a single.
UCSB loaded the bases with no outs in the eighth inning, with Andrew Calica and J.J. Muno coming across to score.
In the ninth inning, Paddy O’Brien doubled to leadoff the game, scoring on a one-out grondout.
GAME NOTES: Kentucky sophomore second baseman JaVon Shelby made his team-leading 56th consecutive start … Sophomore lefty Logan Salow made his first start of the year and the third of his career … Shelby belted his second homer of the year and the sixth of his two-year career … Senior third baseman Thomas Bernal laid down his first sacrifice bunt and the eighth of his career … Freshman shortstop Riley Mahan doubled for the first time in his career … Junior lefty Dylan Dwyer made his 30th career appearance … Junior Zach Strecker made his second appearance of the year and the 36th of his career … Shelby had a career-high four RBI … Sophomore rightfielder Storm Wilson notched a career-high four hits … Freshman lefty Zach Logue made his second career appearance … Junior catcher Zach Arnold had his team-best 13 game hitting streak snapped.
