Washed Away: Ryan Ritter Shines But Wildcats Can’t Dance in Rain

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Florida waited an extra hour but unleashed seven runs in the first two innings in a rain-marred 9-1 series-clinching victory at Condron Ballpark on Saturday night.
 
First pitch was delayed 56 minutes by a pop-up rain shower that hovered in the area and another two-hour, eight-minute delay in the bottom of the fourth inning. Because of the delays the game actually began in April and finished in May.
 
Florida jumped on the Wildcats (23-20, 6-14 SEC) for three runs in the first after four batters and then four more in the second on a home run and two-run single.
 
Junior shortstop Ryan Ritter smacked a pair of doubles, drove in a run and turned in another defensive gem on a 100 MPH one-hopper to his right. Middle infield mate Daniel Harris IV added three hits.
 
NOTES

• UK has scored in 285 of 289 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 444 in 43 games.

• Junior INF Chase Estep has reached base safely in 40 of 43 games this season.

• Junior IF Ryan Ritter went 2-for-3 with two doubles, an RBI and hit by pitch.

  • He now has 98 career hits.
  • He has 14-hit games this season and 27 career.

• Senior IF Daniel Harris IV went 3-for-5 with a run.

  • He had his 11^th multi-hit game of the season.
  • He has a four-game hit streak and eight-game reached base safely streak.

 
ON DECK
Kentucky and Florida meet again on Sunday afternoon. First pitch is at noon ET on the SEC Network. The radio call will be on the UK Sports Network.