Jacob Plastiak Swats Homer, Three Hits in Series Opener

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Jake Plastiak homered and Devin Burkes cranked the first blast of his career in front of a bevy of friends and family but neither shots were enough to take the series opener against Florida at Condron Ballpark on Friday night. The 9-2 defeat dropped the Wildcats to 23-19 overall and 6-13 in Southeastern Conference play.
 
Plastiak sent his 11^th home run of the season into the UK bullpen in the eighth inning and Burkes followed one inning later in his first at bat of the game with a solo blast to nearly the same spot. Plastiak also had a pair of singles and finished 3-for-4 in the game.
 
Florida got on the board with a leadoff homer in the first, the second time in three games the opponent opened with a ball that cleared the fence. Starter Mason Hazelwood settled down before running into trouble in the fifth.
 
NOTES

• UK has scored in 284 of 288 games in coach Nick Mingione’s tenure.
• UK stole two bases and is 53-of-58 on stolen base attempts this season.
• The UK pitchers have struck out 435 in 42 games.

• Junior INF Chase Estep He has reached base safely in 39 of 42 games this season.

• R-Freshman Devin Burkes hit his first career home run.
•  RHP Daniel Harper made his 92^nd career appearance and now is tied for fourth on UK’s all-time list. He needs two more to tie Logan Salow for third.

• Senior IF Jake Plastiak went 3-for-4 with a solo home run.

  • It is his 14^th multi-hit game of the season and 17^th career.
  • He now has 11 homers this season and 15 in his career.
  • He leads the team in RBI.
• Senior IF Daniel Harris IV stole a base and now is 39-of-43 on his career.

 
ON DECK
Kentucky and Florida meet again on Saturday night. First pitch is at 6 p.m. ET on the SECN+. The radio call will be on the UK Sports Network.