May 15, 2015
COLUMBIA, Mo. — Missouri launched home runs in the third and fifth innings, leading the Tigers to a series-evening 6-3 win over Kentucky, on a gloomy Friday night at Taylor Stadium.
Kentucky (29-24, 13-15 Southeastern Conference) jumped out to a one-run lead in the top of the third inning, before Jake Ivory — who robbed a homer and threw out a runner at the plate on Thursday — gave Missouri a lead it would not relinquish with a two-run homer in the bottom of the inning. Missouri then got a solo homer from Jake Ring, a two-out RBI knock in the sixth inning and a pair of runs in the eighth. UK added a run in the ninth for the final margin.
UK starter Dustin Beggs (7-4) suffered the loss, working 7.1 innings, allowing seven hits and six runs, walking one and striking out five. Righty Bo Wilson came on to get the final two outs of the eighth inning.
The Wildcats were limited to seven hits in the game, with JaVon Shelby cranking his 11th double of the year and Greg Fettes his third. Kyle Barrett collected a multi-hit game, and UK also got singles from Evan White, Ka’ai Tom and Storm Wilson, with Wilson stealing two bases.
Missouri (29-25, 15-14 SEC) starter Tanner Houck (8-4) picked up the win, working seven innings, allowing five hits and two runs, issuing just one walk and striking out nine. Missouri turned to junior closer Breckin Williams to start the eighth inning, working the final two frames to earn his school-record 12th save of the year, allowing one run.
The series and regular season will conclude on Saturday at 2 p.m. ET at Taylor Stadium.
The Wildcats started the scoring in the third inning as Barrett beat out an infield single with one out. White was then plunked by the next pitch and Tom drew a full-count walk to load the bases. Shelby then chopped a grounder up the middle, beating out the back end of a double play to score Barrett for a one-run lead.
Missouri immediately answered with a two-run homer from Ivory in the bottom of the third inning, scoring Trey Harris, who led off with an infield single. It was Ivory’s fourth homer of the year.
The Tigers stretched their lead in the fourth as Ryan Howard doubled on a 2-0 count to left-centerfield, stealing third base with one out. After a pop up, Zach Lavy singled through the right side to score Howard.
UK got a run back in the sixth inning as Shelby doubled to leadoff and scored on Wilson’s RBI fielder’s choice.
Jake Ring got the run back for the Tigers with a leadoff solo homer over the rightfield fence.
Ring delivered again in the eighth inning as Ivory led off with a double and Ring tripled him home on a ball into the right-centerfield gap. Howard then lofted a RBI single into centerfield to score Ring.
UK cut into the lead in the ninth as Thomas Bernal drew a one-out walk, scoring on a RBI double from Fettes down the leftfield line.
