After shutting out the Tennessee Volunteers 5-0 in the first of a three-game series Thursday night at Cliff Hagan Stadium, the Kentucky Wildcats hoped to lean once again on a dominant defensive performance when the two teams squared off on Friday. Anchored by junior right-handed pitcher Dustin Beggs, UK did just that.”(Beggs) is awesome to play behind, and throws a lot of strikes,” freshman first baseman Evan White said. “He gets a lot of ground balls. He’s definitely fun because he works fast.”In throwing 109 pitches through eight innings, Beggs struck out eight UT batters and walked only two. The Roswell, Ga., native allowed just five hits, and Kentucky won the game 3-1.”I was able to get it over (the plate) for strikes, which is helpful,” said Beggs. “(Junior catcher Zach Arnold) did a good job back there catching it, framing it, and putting it in a good spot.”Kentucky held Tennessee scoreless for most of the contest, but gave up a lone run in the game’s final inning. Freshman lefty Zach Logue relieved Beggs in the ninth, and went on to retire the final two Volunteer batters.”I was a little disappointed at the end,” Beggs (5-2) said. “I wanted to get it done and finish the game. I haven’t had a complete game since I’ve been here. But, I’m glad Logue got to come in. He did a really great job shutting the door on them.”However, head coach Gary Henderson was anything but dissatisfied with Beggs’ performance.”Dustin Beggs keeps getting better and better,” said Henderson. “We’re really pleased about that.”Henderson went on to praise his pitcher for practicing a sentiment the head coach continuously preaches.”We talk about (first-pitch strikes) pretty frequently here,” Henderson said. “Dustin did a really good job of that tonight. If you can do that, it doesn’t guarantee an in or an out, but it certainly puts you in a little bit better position.”Beggs echoed his team’s emphasis on first-pitch strikes, and revealed just how much his coach’s message resonates with him when he’s on the mound.”First-pitch strikes are a huge thing (Coach Henderson) preaches to all of our guys,” said Beggs. “Just make sure you get ahead in the count … So, I was really trying to get ahead.”Kentucky (21-16, 7-9 SEC) will look to complete the series sweep of rival Tennessee (15-19, 5-12 SEC) Saturday at noon on SEC Network. Senior right-handed pitcher Andrew Nelson will make his second start for the Wildcats this season.