Six Shooter: Breydon Daniel’s Big Effort Fuels Blowout Win

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Opportunity knocked and Breydon Daniel answered.
 
The senior outfielder drove in six runs and had hits from both sides of the plate to lead Kentucky to a 10-4 victory over Western Kentucky at Kentucky Proud Park on Tuesday. The six RBI were the most for a UK player since Luke Becker had eight against Miami (Ohio) in 2017.
 
The Cats (11-6) completed their longest homestand of the season with an 11-3 record and a six-game winning streak, averaging 11 runs per game over that six-game span. In five of those games the Cats scored at least 10 runs as the lineup consistently produced from top to bottom.
 
On Tuesday, it was Daniel’s turn. The senior had started just seven games this season but found himself in the lineup in place of an ill Austin Schultz and immediately took advantage of his opportunity. After drawing a walk in his first at bat he delivered a two-run single in his second, an RBI single in his third and then turned around to bat right-handed in his final at-bat, crushing a three-run, bases loaded double into the left field corner.
 
That was all UK would need to beat Western Kentucky for this sixth consecutive time. Sophomore left-hander Dillon Marsh drew the matchup with the Hilltoppers for the third time in his short career and picked up his third win in as many starts with the longest outing of his career. He finished 6.1 innings, allowing two runs on six hits while striking out six and walking only one.
 
UK now begins the SEC grind, opening the 30-game conference schedule with a trip to defending national champion Vanderbilt this weekend. The three-game series begins Friday night in Nashville.
 
 
GAME SCORING
Bottom 3rd – Chase Estep singled and Breydon Daniel walked. John Rhodes singled, scoring Estep. UK 1, WKU 0.
 
Top 4^th – Richard Constantine doubled to LF and scored on Ray Zuberer III’s home run to RF. WKU 2, UK 1.
 
Bottom 4^th – Oraj Anu singled, Coltyn Kessler walked and Zeke Lewis was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Estep hit a SAC fly to RCF, scoring Anu and moving up both Kessler and Lewis. Daniel singled to CF, scoring Kessler and Lewis. UK 4, WKU 2.
 
Bottom 6^th – Lewis singled to CF and advanced to second on Estep’s fielder’s choice. Daniel singled to RCF, scoring Lewis and moving Estep to third. John Rhodes doubled to RCF, scoring Estep and Daniel. UK 7, WKU 2.
 
Bottom 7^th – Kessler singled, Matt Golda walked and Estep walked to load the bases. Daniel doubled into the LF corner, scoring all three runners. UK 10, WKU 2.
 
Top 8^th – Jack Wilson was hit by a pitch and moved to second on a groundout. Zuberer reached on an infield single, advancing Wilson to third. Both runners advanced on a throwing error, Wilson scoring. Davis Sims singled to CF, scoring Zuberer. UK 10, WKU 4.
 
 
NOTES

• The Cats scored double-digit runs for the fourth consecutive game and fifth time in the past six contests. They scored nine runs in that other game.
  • UK is averaging 11 runs per game during that stretch.
• The UK pitching staff has 14 consecutive games with eight or more strikeouts, including 12 with 10 or more.

• Senior IF/OF Breydon Daniel went 3-for-3 with a double, a walk and career-high six RBI.

  • The six RBI are the most by a UK player since Luke Becker had eight against Miami (Ohio) on March 12, 2017.
  • Daniel had hits from both sides of the plate.

• Freshman INF/OF John Rhodes went 3-for-5 with a double and three RBI.

  • It was his 10^th double of the season. He ranked fourth nationally and led the SEC in doubles entering the game.
  • He now has an eight-game hit streak.
  • He has nine multi-hit and six multi-RBI games.
  • He has multiple hits in six of the last seven games.

• Senior INF Zeke Lewis went 2-for-3 with two runs scored and a hit by pitch.

  • He now has a career-long seven-game hit streak.
  • He is 12 of his last 21 at the plate and reached base in nine of 10 plate appearances before his final AB of the game.

• Sophomore LHP Dillon Marsh pitched 6.1 innings, allowing six hits, two runs, one walk and striking out six.

  • It is the longest outing of Marsh’s career, surpassing the 6.0 innings he pitched last week vs. Cincinnati.
  • He is now 3-0 in three career starts vs. Western Kentucky.

 
ON DECK
The Cats open SEC play at defending national champion Vanderbilt on Friday in the first of a three-game series in Nashville. First pitch on Friday is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET. The game will be aired on SECN+. The radio call will be on the UK Sports Network.