Becker’s Eight-RBI Day Highlights Sweep-Clinching Win

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Luke Becker’s three-run home run in the first inning kicked off the program’s most productive individual performance since 2008 as Kentucky swept Miami (Ohio) with a 14-2 victory at Cliff Hagan Stadium on Sunday. 

 

The Wildcats (11-6) are now 9-0 at home and have won 11 of 13 games overall. They have outscored their opponents 97-16 at Cliff Hagan Stadium this season.

Becker drove in eight runs, becoming to first UK player to do so since Ryan Wilkes knocked in eight against Wright State on May 6, 2008. The junior infielder from Fairmont, Minn. put the Cats on the board right away, crushing a 2-2 pitch over the extended-height part of the right field wall.  He added a two-run single in the fourth and a three-run double in the seventh as to cap his career day.

“It’s about the guys getting on base for me, that was huge,” Becker said. “I’ve been seeing the ball well, there’s no doubt about that. We’re just trying to get better as a team. It’s been fun.”

Becker’s heroics were the headline on a day where numerous Cats got in on the act. Senior infielder Connor Heady set a new career-high with his third home of the season and sophomore catcher Kole Cottam smacked his first round-tripper of the year, an opposite field shot. Junior infielder Tyler Marshall has a career-high three hits and sophomore outfielder Tristan Pompey scored three runs.

Sophomore right-hander Justin Lewis earned his second consecutive win and lowered his earned run average to 2.74 on the season, having allowed just one earned run in his past 21 innings of work. He completed six innings, giving up four hits, two runs (one earned) and struck out four.

Becker’s heroics were the headline on a day where numerous Cats got in on the act. Senior infielder Connor Heady set a new career-high with his third home of the season and sophomore catcher Kole Cottam smacked his first round-tripper of the year, an opposite field shot. Junior infielder Tyler Marshall has a career-high three hits and sophomore outfielder Tristan Pompey scored three runs.

Sophomore right-hander Justin Lewis earned his second consecutive win and lowered his earned run average to 2.74 on the season, having allowed just one earned run in his past 21 innings of work. He completed six innings, giving up four hits, two runs (one earned) and struck out four. The Redhawks managed only a two-run home run by Dallas Hall after a throwing error put a runner on in front of him. Junior lefty Brad Schaenzer pitched a scoreless inning of relief, pushing his streak to 16.2 scoreless innings to start the season. 

Bottom 1st – Tristan Pompey singled to RF, Zach Reks was hit by a pitch and Luke Becker crushed a three-run home run over the tall “Kentucky Baseball” wall in RF. UK 3, Miami 0.

Bottom 2nd – Tyler Marshall singled up the middle in front of Connor Heady’s two-run homer to LF. UK 5, Miami 0.

Top 3rd – Steve Sada reached on a throwing error before Dallas Hall hit a two-run home run to LF. UK 5, Miami 2.

Bottom 3rd – Kole Cottam homered to RCF. UK 6, Miami 1.

Bottom 4th – Pompey walked, Reks doubled and Becker drove both in with a single to RF. UK 8, Miami 2.

Bottom 5th – Marcus Carson grounded into a fielder’s choice, scoring Troy Squires. UK 9, Miami 2.

Bottom 7th – Becker hit a three-run double into LCF to score Heady, Carson and Pompey. Riley Mahan’s SAC fly scored Becker. UK 13, Miami 2.

Bottom 8th – Marshall walked and came around to score on Carson’s single after the right fielder misplayed the ball. UK 14, Miami 2.

• Junior IF Luke Becker knocked in a career-high eight RBI. 

    o The eight RBI are the most for a UK player since Ryan Wilkes drove in eight against Wright State on May 6, 2008.

    o Becker’s previous career high for RBI was four, set against Saint Joseph’s on 2/24/17.

    o Becker hit his first home run of the season, a three-run shot in the 1st inning.

    o Had a two-run single in the 4th inning.

    o Capped the day with a three-run double in the 7th inning.

    o Becker is now hitting a team-leading .438 on the season with five doubles, a home run and 18 RBI, which ranks second on the team to Riley Mahan’s 20.

• Senior IF Conner Heady hit his third home run of the season. 

    o The three home runs represent the most he’s had in a season, besting the two he hit as a sophomore in 2015.

    o Now has 11 RBI, tied for his most in a season (2015).

• Junior infielder Tyler Marshall stroked a career-high three hits on the day, all line shots to the middle of the field. 

• Kentucky has outscored its opponents 97-16 in nine games at home this season. 

• Kentucky has now scored at least 14 runs six times this season. 

• The combined ERA of UK’s starting pitchers in nine home games is 1.44.

In Kentucky’s final game before beginning Southeastern Conference play Murray State comes to town for a Tuesday night tilt that will be aired nationally on the SEC Network. First pitch is slated for 7 p.m. Fans can listen on the UK Sports Network via UKathletics.com and iHeart Radio or 98.5 FM in the Lexington area.