Mark Maloney on Kentucky sports

In the bottom of the ninth, Chad Wright is caught looking at strike three. Andy Burns coaxes a walk, bringing the potential tying run to the plate. Chris Bisson loops a single to shallow left, moving Burns to second and bringing the potential winning run to the plate. Gunner Glad grounds into a 6-4-3 double play. FINAL SCORE: Auburn 7, Kentucky 5.

Auburn           212  002  000  — 7    6  1
Kentucky        000  100  310  — 5  11  1
W — Price (4-2); L — Meyer (1-4); Sv — Hubbard (11). HR — AU: Mummey (15), Feltcher 2 (16); UK: Burns (6), Nidiffer (7). Att. — 2,040.

Cats hold Auburn in 9th, try to rally from 2 down

Auburn’s Brian Fletcher leads off the top of the ninth with a walk and moves to second on a grounder. UK Coach Gary Henderson replaces Logan Darnell with right-hander Clint Tilford. Darnell, a lefty, gave up three hits over 5 2/3 innings in relief. Second baseman Chris Bisson knocks down Wes Gilmer’s grounder up the middle and throw him out at first, while Fletcher takes third. Catcher Marcus Nidiffer blocks a Tilford pitch in the dirt, keeping Fletcher at third. Tilford then strikes out Dan Gamache with a B-B over the inside corner. Going to the bottom of the ninth: Auburn 7, Kentucky 5.

Nidiffer homers for UK, cuts Auburn lead to 7-5

Marcus Nidiffer

After the first two Kentucky batters are retired, Marcus Nidiffer sneaks a solo homer just over the center-field wall and the outstretched glove of Trent Mummey. Nidiffer’s seventh homer of the season cuts UK’s deficit to two runs. At the end of eight innings: Auburn 7, Kentucky 5.

Auburn goes down 1-2-3 in eighth

Auburn goes down in order in the eighth inning. Going to the bottom half of the inning: Auburn 7, Kentucky 4.

Kentucky scores 3 in 7th, trails Auburn 7-4

Chad Wright

Gunner Glad

When Braden Kapteyn leads off Kentucky’s half of the seventh with a bloop single to center, Auburn Coach John Pawlowski pulls starting pitcher Dexter Price and brings in another righty, Bradley Hendrix. Hendrix retires one batter, but Cory Farris doubles to right, Kapteyn stopping at third. Chad Wright’s chopper to short scores Kapteyn, but Farris gets hung up between second and third. He stays in a a rundown long enough for Wright to advance to second base. Andy Burns brings Wright home with a single up the middle and advances to second on the throw to the plate. Chris Bisson walks. Gunner Glad singles through the right side of the infield and, when right-fielder Ben Jones bobbles the ball for an error, Burns scores and Bisson takes third. Pawlowski yanks Hendrix and brings in another right-hander, Austin Hubbard. He gets Chris Wade to ground out. Going to the eighth inning: Auburn 7, Kentucky 4.

Unusual double play ends Auburn threat in 7th

In the top of the seventh, Auburn’s Wes Gilmer leads off with a double to the gap in right-center and Dan Gamache follows with a walk. Caleb Bowen puts down a two-strike bunt to move the runners to second and third. Justin Haggerty bounces to shortstop Chris Wade. Gilmer holds at third but Gamache doesn’t hold at second. After Wade throws out Haggerty at first, Gunner Glad whips the ball to second baseman Chris Bisson, who gets the ball to Chris McClendon for the tag. Score the double play 6-3-4-5. Seventh-inning stretch time: Auburn 7, Kentucky 1.

Wildcats add two hits but no runs in 6th

In the bottom of the sixth, Kentucky gets a one-out single, up the middle, from Chris Bisson. One out later, Chris Wade singles, the fifth hit given up by Auburn right-hander Dexter Price. The threat ends as Keenan Wiley lines out to center. Going to the seventh inning: Auburn 7, Kentucky 1.

Fletcher goes deep again to give Auburn 7-1 lead

Brian Fletcher

A hit batsman and Brian Fletcher’s second home run of the game (16th of the season) produce two runs for Auburn in the sixth inning. Three homers have produced six Auburn runs. Trent Mummey, the other long-ball artist, drove in the Tigers’ other run with a bases-loaded walk. Going to UK’s half of the sixth: Auburn 7, Kentucky 1.

Cats leave 2 runners on in 5th, trail Auburn 5-1

Kentucky gets a leadoff single from Keenan Wiley and a two-out single from Cory Farris, but can’t score in the fifth. Two runners are stranded as Chad Wright flies to deep center. Going to the sixth inning: Auburn 5, Kentucky 1.

Nidiffer, Darnell quell Auburn threat in fifth

After the first batter grounds out, Auburn loads the bases with a single, walk and fielding error. UK catcher Marcus Nidiffer fires a strike to Andy Burns, successfully picking off Wes Gilmer at third. Logan Darnell then induces Justin Hargett to ground out to second. In the middle of the fifth: Auburn 5, Kentucky 1.

Burns homer puts Kentucky on the board

Andy Burns

Held to a walk through three innings, Kentucky gets a lift from Andy Burns. The third baseman rips the first pitch of the inning for a home run off of the light tower in right-center field. Five of his six homers this season have come on first-pitch offerings. Auburn righty Dexter Price retires the next two batters. Then, Chris Wade just misses a homer — a long foul down the left-field line — and then flies out to right. After four innings: Auburn 5, Kentucky 1.

Darnell strikes out Auburn in order in fourth

UK’s Logan Darnell strikes out the side in the fourth: Hunter Morris, Ben Jones and Brian Fletcher, all swinging. In the middle of the fourth: Auburn 5, Kentucky 0.

Wildcats’ bats remain silent in third inning

Kentucky goes down in order in the third via two fly balls and a called third strike. Through three innings: Auburn 5 runs, 3 hits; Kentucky 0 runs, 0 hits.

Fletcher homer increases Auburn lead to 5-0

Alex Meyer

Auburn’s half of the third inning starts out much like the first inning. Ben Jones draws a leadoff walk and Brian Fletcher follows with a home run, his 15th of the season, over the left-field wall. Then, just as in the first, UK righty Alex Meyer strikes out the next two: Casey McElroy and Wes Gilmer. Unlike the first, though, he doesn’t get a third whiff in a row, as Dan Gamache and Caleb Bowen walk — Meyer’s and seventh free passes of the day. Gary Henderson pulls Meyer and brings in left-hander Logan Darnell. For his third straight at-bat, Justin Hargett works the count full before drawing a walk — this one to load the bases. But Trent Mummey fouls out to third baseman Andy Burns and Auburn leaves the bases loaded for the second consecutive inning. In the middle of the third inning: Auburn 5, Kentucky 0.

Cats get a base-runner but nothing else in 2nd

Auburn right-hander Dexter Price handles Kentucky’s first two batters in the second. The freshman gets Gunner Glad on a fly ball to left and Chris Wade on a pop to short right. Keenan Wiley draws a walk. Right fielder Ben Jones, battling the sun, wind and a long run to Braden Kapteyn’s shallow fly, makes a circus catch. At the end of two innings: Auburn 3, Kentucky 0.

Auburn adds a run in 2nd, leads Kentucky 3-0

Auburn puts runners on first and second with one out, prompting Kentucky Coach Gary Henderson to make a visit to RHP Alex Meyer. The freshman responds, striking out Caleb Bowen but then issues Justin Hargett his second walk of the game. Trent Mummey, who homered in the first inning, pops a foul behind the plate. But catcher Marcus Nidiffer is slow to locate the ball and can’t make the catch. Mummey then walks, forcing in a run. Hunter Morris just misses a grand slam, flying out on a drive to the right-field warning track. In the middle of the second inning: Auburn 3, Kentucky 0.

Wildcats go down in order in first inning

Kentucky goes down in order in the first, with a groundout, lineout and fly out. At the end of one: Auburn 2, Kentucky 0.

Mummey homer gives Auburn early 2-0 lead.

Trent Mummey

In the top of the first, Auburn taketh and Auburn swingeth away. Leadoff man Justin Hargett takes a 3-2 pitch for ball four. Trent Mummey brings him around with a two-run homer to the deck in right-center, his 15th homer of the season. UK freshman right-hander Alex Meyer settles down to strike out the next three batters — Hunter Morris, swinging; Ben Jones, looking; and Brian Fletcher, swinging. After half an inning: Auburn 2, Kentucky 0.

SEC baseball: Auburn at Kentucky, III

Kentucky, which hadn’t won a home baseball series against Auburn since 1989, tries for a three-game sweep Sunday.

We’re about 20 minutes away from the first pitch on a beautiful day at Cliff Hagan Stadium — 64 degrees, mostly sunny and a 7 mph wind blowing out to left field.

Kentucky swept Saturday’s Southeastern Conference doubleheader 6-5 (10 innings) and 6-3.

UK (26-23, 11-15 SEC) still has hopes of qualifying for the eight-team SEC Tournament. The Wildcats start Sunday ninth overall, 1 1/2 games behind Vanderbilt and 2 games back of South Carolina. Vandy goes for a sweep of Georgia on Sunday, with South Carolina taking on Tennessee.

Saturday’s sweep virtually eliminated Auburn (27-24, 8-18) from contention.

 

Sunday’s starting lineups:

AUBURN — Justin Hargett, 2B; Trent Mummey, CF; Hunter Morris, 1B; Ben Jones, RF; Brian Fletcher, LF; Casey McElroy, SS; Wes Gilmer, 3B; Dan Gamache, DH; Caleb Bowen, C. Pitching — RH Dexter Price (3-2, 5.74).

KENTUCKY — Chad Wright, LF; Andy Burns, 3B; Chris Bisson, 2B; Gunner Glad, 1B; Chris Wade, SS; Keenan Wiley, CF; Braden Kapteyn, DH; Marcus Nidiffer, C; Cory Farris, RF. Pitching — RH Alex Meyer (1-3, 4.67).

UMPIRES — Kevin Assman, plate; Nelson Graham, 1B; A.J. Lostaglio, 3B.

Friday’s Southeastern Conference baseball game between Kentucky and Auburn has been postponed due to rain.

The three-game series at UK’s Cliff Hagan Stadium now will start Saturday with two games.

The game postponed Friday will start Saturday at 2 p.m. Saturday’s regularly scheduled game will be televised on the Big Blue Sports Network, starting at 7 p.m.. Sunday’s game is set for 1 p.m.

Probable pitchers in the opener are left-hander James Paxton (5-2, 5.40) of Kentucky against RH Jon Luke Jacobs (3-4, 6.23). The second game will pit another UK lefty, Chris Rusin (5-4, 4.07), against LH Grant Dayton (2-5, 5.61). Auburn will go with right-hander Dexter Price (3-2, 5.74) in the finale, with UK’s starter yet to be announced.

Kentucky-Auburn in a rain delay

It’s a beautiful day for baseball!

Just not at Cliff Hagan Stadium.

Friday’s scheduled game, Auburn at Kentucky, will not get off at the scheduled time (6:30 p.m.) as rain continues to fall. Coaches and umpires are scheduled to meet at 6:40 to decide whether to play, postpone or wait some more.

The teams also have games scheduled Saturday and Sunday, both with hopes of being among the eight teams that will qualify for the Southeastern Conference Tournament. Kentucky comes into the weekend ninth in the SEC (9-15), Auburn 10th (8-16). Vanderbilt holds the eighth spot (10-13).

UK (24-23 overall) took two of three games from Tennessee last weekend. The Wildcats finish SEC play next week — at SEC East-leading Florida.

Auburn (27-22) has lost seven in a row in league play — one to South Carolina, followed by three-game sweeps at the hands of top 10 teams LSU and Ole Miss. Auburn finishes league play at home next week, facing arch-rival Alabama.

Logan Darnell closes out Kentucky’s 17-11 win over Tennessee. He retires Cody Brown on a comebacker, pinch-hitter Matt Hamaker on a grounder to second and strikes out Tyler Horne. Overall, Darnell retires the last 11 batters in a row. FINAL SCORE: KENTUCKY 17, TENNESSEE 11.

Cats take 17-11 lead over Vols into 9th inning

Tennessee right-hander Matt Ramsey disposes of Kentucky’s first two batters in the eighth, but issues a walk to No. 9 hitter Marcus Nidiffer. No harm, though, as Chad Wright grounds into a fielder’s choice. Going to the ninth inning: Kentucky 17, Tennessee 11.

Darnell is perfect in 8th; UK leads Vols 17-11

Kentucky’s Logan Darnell retires Tennessee in order for the second inning in a row. Overall, Darnell has retired eight batters in a row. In the middle of the eighth inning: Kentucky 17, Tennessee 11.

Glad homers in 7th to give UK 17-11 lead

Gunner Glad

Kentucky gets its offense cranking again in the seventh. Andy Burns leads off, drawing his fourth walk of the game. One out later, Gunner Glad smacks a two-run homer to the deck in right-center. Tennessee’s bullpen gets another call, this time for right-hander Matt Ramsey. He gets a pair of fly balls to end the inning. At the end of seven: Kentucky 17, Tennessee 11.

Darnell sets down Vols in order in 7th

Logan Darnell

Cats lefty Logan Darnell retires Tennessee in order in the seventh, getting a pair of groundouts and catching P.J. Polk looking at a full-count called third strike. At seventh-inning stretch time: Kentucky 15, Tennessee 11.

Cats go down 1-2-3 in 6th, hold 15-11 lead

Kentucky goes down 1-2-3 in the sixth via a pair of strikeouts and an infield fly. Going to the seventh inning: Kentucky 15, Tennessee 11.

Forsythe homer cuts UK lead to 15-11 in 6th

Tennessee cuts into Kentucky’s lead in the sixth as Blake Forsythe sends a one-out solo homer over the left-field wall. In the middle of the sixth inning: Kentucky 15, Tennessee 11.

Kapteyn slam caps 5-run 5th; Cats lead 15-10

Marcus Nidiffer

Braden Kapteyn

The hits (and the runs) just keep on coming. Kentucky’s Marcus Nidiffer leads off the bottom of the fifth with a home run off of the light tower in left-center, snapping a 10-10 tie. Chad Wright singles up the middle, his third hit of the day, and takes second on a wild pitch. Andy Burns walks before Chris Bisson flies to shallow left for the first out. Tennessee Coach Todd Raleigh calls for his fifth pitcher of the game — left-hander Joey Rosas, whose only other appearance of the season came Feb. 21. Gunner Glad walks to load the bases. Braden Kapteyn crushes a 1-1 pitch for a grand-slam homer to right-center. Rosas retires the next two batters. Through five complete innings: Kentucky 15, Tennessee 10.

Tennessee plates 4 in 5th to tie Cats, 10-10

Charley Thurber

Tennessee comes back again in the fifth, roughing up Mike Kaczmarek. Kentrail Davis reaches on an infield single, then scores on Cody Hawn’s double to right-center. Blake Forsythe walks. Cody Brown lays down a sacrifice bunt and is safe at first as Kaczmarek bobbles the ball for a base-loading error. Charley Thurber knocks a two-run single through the right side, moving Brown to second. That finishes Kaczmarek as Coach Gary Henderson summons another lefty, Logan Darnell. Tyler Horne ties the game with a run-scoring single down the third-base line, Thurber stopping at second. Cody Grisham’s bunt is misplayed by first baseman Gunner Glad, loading the bases. Zach Osborne flies to shallow left for the first out. P.J. Polk reaches on a fielder’s choice as third baseman Chris McClendon throws to catcher Marcus Nidiffer for a forceout. Kentrail Davis flies to deep right, leaving the bases juiced. Through 4 1/2 innings: Kentucky 10, Tennessee 10.

Nothing doing for UK in 4th, but Cats lead 10-6

Kentucky goes down in order for the first time today. At the end of four innings, the Wildcats have made a call to the bullpen for left-hander Mike Kaczmarek. The score: Kentucky 10, Tennessee 6.

Leadoff homer cuts UK lead to 10-6 in fourth

Tyler Horne

Tennessee’s Tyler Horne leads off the top of the fourth with a homer to straightaway center field. UK right-hander Clint Tilford retires the next three in order, all on grounders. In the middle of the fourth: Kentucky 10, Tennessee 6.

Cats score twice to build 10-5 lead over Vols

Third-inning homer cuts Cats’ lead to 8-5

Tennessee rallies in the third as Cody Hawn belts a one-out solo homer over the scoreboard in left-center. The Vols put two more runners on before an unusual double play. Charley Thurber’s popup drops between three Cats, just beyond the infield dirt between short and third. The infield fly rule made Thurber an automatic out. When the ball fell, Blake Forsythe ran from second to third, where he was tagged out by pitcher Clint Tilford. In the middle of the third: Kentucky 8, Tennessee 5.

UK explodes for 8 runs, leads Vols 8-4 through 2 innings

Chris Bisson

Keenan Wiley

In the bottom of the second, Kentucky gets a one-out single from Troy Frazier. One out later, Marcus Nidiffer walks. Chad Wright beats out a slow chopper to shortstop, loading the bases. Andy Burns battles back from an 0-2 count by taking a ball and fouling off a pair of pitches. His grounder to shortstop is too hot for Zach Osborne to handle. The error allows Frazier to score and keeps the bases loaded. Chris Bisson drives a full-count pitch to the wall in right-center for a three-run triple, tying the game at 4. Gunner Glad singles through the left side of the infield, driving in Bisson with the go-ahead run. Tennessee Coach Todd Raleigh goes to his bullpen, calling in right-hander Stephen McCray. Braden Kapteyn, UK’s ninth batter of the inning, draws a walk. Keenan Wiley drives the next pitch over the wall in right-center, his fourth homer of the season, to plate three more runs. Troy Frazier fouls out to close the inning. At the end of two innings: Kentucky 8, Tennessee 4.

Tennessee goes down in order in second

Tennessee goes down in order in the second with two groundouts and a fly ball. In the middle of the second: Tennessee 4, Kentucky 0.

Cats leave a pair of runners on in first, trail 4-0

In the bottom of the first, Kentucky gets a one-out walk by Andy Burns and a bloop single by Chris Bisson. But Tennessee lefty Steven Gruver strikes out Gunner Glad and Braden Kapteyn. After one inning: Tennessee 4, Kentucky 0.

Tennessee bolts to 4-0 lead in first inning

Blake Forsythe

Cody Brown

Tennessee strikes quickly in the top of the first. A single, walk and an error load the bases with one out. Blake Forsythe singles to left, driving in Zach Osborne with the game’s first run. Cody Brown rips a three-run double to the left-field corner. Clint Tilford’s errant pickoff throw moves Brown to third. Cody Thurber walks. Tyler Horne grounds into a 6-4-3 double play. After half an inning: Tennessee 4, Kentucky 0.

SEC baseball: Tennessee at Kentucky III

Getting set for the final game in a three-game Southeastern Conference baseball series at Cliff Hagan Stadium matching Kentucky and Tennessee. The teams split the first two games.

Kentucky was scheduled to start freshman right-hander Alex Meyer, but he is a late scratch due to a calf injury. Filling in is righty Clint Tilford.

The lineups:

Tennessee (21-26 overall, 7-16 SEC) – Zach Osborne, ss; P.J. Polk, lf; Kentrail Davis, cf; Cody Hawn, 1b; Blake Forsythe, c; Cody Brown, 3b; Charley Thurber, rf; Tyler Horne, dh; Cody Grisham, 2b. Pitching: LH Steven Gruver (0-1, 6.49).

Kentucky (23-23, 8-15) — Chad Wright, lf; Andy Burns, ss; Chris Bisson, 2b; Gunner Glad, 1b; Braden Kapteyn, dh; Keenan Wiley, cf; Troy Frazier, rf; Chris McClendon, 3b; Marcus Nidiffer, c. Pitching: RH Clint Tilford (1-4, 6.04).

Umpires — Owen Butts, plate; Tony Maners, 1b; John Whitaker, 3b.

Weather — Overcast, 57 degrees, wind 10 mph out to right field.

Tennessee lefty Bryan Morgado seals things in the ninth by getting Chris McClendon to ground out for the first out. Braden Kapteyn reaches on a bloop single, but Troy Frazier lines out to third and Chad Wright strikes out. FINAL SCORE: Tennessee 8, Kentucky 2.

Cats face 8-2 deficit in bottom of the ninth

Tennessee gets a double from P.J. Polk to open the ninth. One out later, pinch-runner Jarred Frazier steals third. Frazier scores on Blake Forsythe’s single off the old scoreboard in right field. Two more strikeouts in the inning are a Vols season-high 17 for the game. Going to the bottom of the ninth: Tennessee 8, Kentucky 2.

Vols take 7-2 lead over UK into 9th

Vols break through with 4 in 8th, lead Cats 7-2

Tennessee restores its two-run cushion in the eighth. Chris Rusin matches the UK season high of 14 strikeouts by

Cody Brown

getting leadoff batter P.J. Polk. (James Paxton struck out 14 at LSU.) Kentrail Davis reaches on a high-hop infield single, then steals second. Blake Forsythe singles to center. Davis, planning to stop at third, continues home when center fielder Keenan Wiley bobbles the ball for an error. Cody Hawn singles, Forsythe stopping at second. That knocks out Rusin, who finishes with 14 strikeouts and having thrown 75 of 124 pitches for strikes. Braden Kapteyn, the DH, replaces Rusin. First pitch, Cody Brown greets Kapteyn with a three-run homer to right-center. Tyler Horne singles through the left side and Cody Grisham bunts for Tennessee’s sixth consecutive hit. A wild pitch puts the runners on second and third. Matt Ramsey strikes out for the fourth time in as many at-bats and Zach Osborne pops up to the pitcher. In the middle of the eighth: Tennessee 7, Kentucky 2.

Cats strike back in seventh to cut deficit to 1

UK’s half of the seventh begins with Marcus Nidiffer getting hit by a Bryan Morgado pitch. Keenan Wiley works an eight-pitch walk. Chris McClendon bunts the runners to second and third. On a full count, Braden Kapteyn draws a walk on a wild pitch that allows Nidiffer to score and Wiley to take third. UK Coach Gary Henderson sends Troy Frazier in to bat for Bryan Rose. Frazier also works the count full before taking a called third strike. Kapteyn steals second base without a play. Chad Wright, on yet another full count, walks to load the bases. Andy Burns lines an 0-1 pitch deep to right field, but right at Matt Ramsey, for the final out. Frazier remains in the game for UK, playing right field. At the end of seven innings: Tennessee 3, Kentucky 2.

Rusin gets 13th strikeout, but Vols pad lead to 3-1

Tyler Horne

Tennessee’s second hit of the game look much like the first one — a home run. Tyler Horne leads off the seventh inning with a line drive off the scoreboard in left-center. Chris Rusin retires the next three in order, including his career-high 13th strikeout of the game. That moves Rusin into third place on UK’s career strikeout list with 260, one more than Brandon Webb compiled from 1998 through 2000. Seventh-inning stretch time: Tennessee 3, Kentucky 1.

Tennessee leads Kentucky 2-1 through 6th

Kentucky gets a one-out walk to Chris Bisson, but he gets picked off by pitcher Bryan Morgado. Going to the seventh inning: Tennessee 2, Kentucky 1.

Vols’ Davis breaks up no-hitter with 2-run homer

Kentrail Davis

Tennessee’s Kentrail Davis ends Chris Rusin’s no-hit, shutout bid, as well as Kentucky’s lead with one mighty swing. Zach Osborne leads off the sixth with a walk, taking second on P.J. Polk’s sacrifice bunt. Davis then takes an 0-1 pitch deep into the parking lot beyond the right-field wall for a two-run homer. Blake Forsythe becomes Rusin’s 11th strikeout victim, but the UK lefty issues his season-high fifth walk of the game, this one to Cody Hawn. Rusin fans Cody Brown. In the middle of the sixth inning: Tennessee 2, Kentucky 1.

Cats head to 6th clinging to 1-0 lead over Vols

Kentucky’s fifth inning starts with an infield single — a hot shot off the throwing hand of pitcher Ty’Relle Harris — by Chris McClendon. Braden Kapteyn bunts McClendon to second base. Harris retires Bryan Rose on a fly ball. Then, apparently because of the ball he took off his hand, Harris exits and left-hander Bryan Morgado takes over. A passed ball allows McClendon to take third base. Chad Wright, on a full-count pitch, goes down swinging. Through five innings: Kentucky 1, Tennessee 0.

Rusin strikes out the side again in fifth

In the fifth, UK left-hander Chris Rusin strikes out the side for the second inning in a row. Rusin has 10 strikeouts overall, his latest victims being Tyler Horne, Cody Grisham and Matt Ramsey. Horne went down swinging, the other two taking called third strikes. In the middle of the fifth: Kentucky 1, Tennessee 0.

Double play ends Cats’ chances in fourth

Marcus Nidiffer

Kentucky gets a one-out single from Marcus Nidiffer, his second hit of the game. But Keenan Wiley grounds into a 4-6-3 double play. At the end of four innings: Kentucky 1, Tennessee 0.

Rusin strikes out the side in fourth; Cats lead 1-0

Tennessee’s Kentrail Davis opens the fourth by drawing a walk. But UK lefty Chris Rusin strikes out Blake Forsythe, Cody Hawn and Cody Brown. Through 3 1/2 innings, Rusin has seven strikeouts, with the score: Kentucky 1, Tennessee 0.

Kentucky leads Tennessee 1-0 through 3rd

Kentucky’s Andy Burns pokes a two-out single through the right side of the infield. But Chris Bisson bounces into a fielder’s choice. At the end of three innings: Kentucky 1, Tennessee 0.

Rusin sets Vols down in order in third

UK lefty Chris Rusin retires Tennessee in order for a second consecutive inning. getting a pair of groundouts and his fourth strikeout of the game. In the middle of the third: Kentucky 1, Tennessee 0.

McClendon double gives Cats 1-0 lead in 2nd

Chris McClendon

In the Kentucky second, Marcus Nidiffer fists a one-out bloop single down the left-field line, just over the reach of third baseman Cody Brown. One out later, Chris McClendon rips a run-scoring double towards the scoreboard in left-center. Nidiffer just beats the throw to the plate, with McClendon taking third on the throw. Braden Kapteyn lines out to left. After two innings: Kentucky 1, Tennessee 0.

Vols go down in order in 2nd

Chris Rusin

Tennessee goes down in order in the second as Chris Rusin picks up his third strikeout and gets a pair of fly balls. In the middle of the second: Kentucky 0, Tennessee 0.

Cats, Vols scoreless through first

Kentucky gets a bad-hop infield single from Chad Wright to open the bottom of the first. But Andy Burns lines to left and Chris Bisson grounds into a 4-6-3 double play. Through one inning: Kentucky 0, Tennessee 0.

Tennessee threatens in first

UK lefty Chris Rusin retires the first two batters of the game, but then gives up his first first-inning walk of the season — to Kentrail Davis. Wild pitches advance Davis to second, then third, before Blake Forsythe walks. Forsythe steals second without a play. But Rusin strikes out Cody Hawn on a full-count pitch. After half an inning: Tennessee 0, Kentucky 0.

SEC baseball: Tennessee at Kentucky, game 2

Getting set for the second game of a three-game Southeastern Conference baseball series at Cliff Hagan Stadium in Lexington, Ky.

Kentucky scored six runs in the sixth inning, rallying from a 3-0 deficit, en route to a 6-4 victory over Tennessee in Friday’s opener.

The teams enter play Saturday ninth (UK, 9-13) and 11th (UT, 6-16) in the SEC. Only the top eight will qualify for the SEC Tournament, May 20-24, at Hoover, Ala. South Carolina (10-12) is in the eighth spot, a game ahead of Kentucky.

The lineups:

Tennessee – Zach Osborne, ss; P.J. Polk, lf; Kentrail Davis, cf; Blake Forsythe, c; Cody Hawn, 1b; Cody Brown, 3b; Tyler Horne, dh; Cody Grisham, 2b; Matt Ramsey, rf. Pitching — RH Ty’Relle Harris (4-4, 6.57).

Kentucky — Chad Wright, lf; Andy Burns, ss; Chris Bisson, 2b; Gunner Glad, 1b; Marcus Nidiffer, c; Keenan Wiley, cf; Chris McClendon, 3b; Braden Kapteyn, dh; Bryan Rose, rf. Pitching — LH Chris Rusin (5-3, 3.73).

Umpires — John Whitaker, plate; Owen Butts, 1b; Tony Maners, 3b.

Weather – 56 degrees, overcast, calm wind.

UK calls on DH Braden Kapteyn to close things out in the ninth. He gets pinch-hitter Jeff Lockwood to fly to left and Zach Osborne to take a called third strike. Kentrail Davis draws a walk, bringing the potential tying run to the plate. A wild pitch moves Davis to second base. But Kapteyn runs down a short pop foul off the bat of Blake Forsythe to end the game. FINAL SCORE: Kentucky 6, Tennessee 4.

Cats take 6-4 lead into ninth

Tennessee goes to the bullpen again to open the bottom of the eighth. Left-hander Will Locante comes in, with righty Matt Ramsey moving to right field in place of Jarred Frazier. Locante beans Bryan Rose with a 3-2 pitch, strikes out Chad Wright, walks Andy Burns and fans Chris Bisson. The Vols go to their bullpen again, calling in right-hander Stephen McCray. He strikes out Gunner Glad. Heading to the ninth inning: Kentucky 6, Tennessee 4.

Paxton strikes out side in 8th

UK lefty James Paxton strikes out the side, in order, in the eighth. Going to the bottom of the inning: Kentucky 6, Tennessee 4.

Cats leave ‘em loaded in 7th

In the seventh inning, a leadoff single by Kentucky’s Chris Bisson and a walk by Gunner Glad brings an end to Nick Hernandez’s night on the mound for Tennessee. Coach Todd Raleigh calls for right-hander Ryne Simpson. Marcus Nidiffer bunts the runners to second and third, and Raleigh replaces Simpson with lefty Adam Adkins. Keenan Wiley walks on four pitches, loading the bases. Adkins exits and right-hander Matt Ramsey enters the game for Tennessee. Ramsey fans Braden Kapteyn and gets Chris McClendon on a comebacker. At the end of seven innings: Kentucky 6, Tennessee 4.

Vols score 1 in 7th; Cats lead 6-4

A one-out single by Kentrail Davis ignites a Tennessee rally in the seventh inning. Blake Forsythe walks and both runners advance on a James Paxton wild pitch. Davis scores on Cody Haven’s sacrifice fly to center, Forsythe taking third. P.J. Polk grounds out on a tough play by third baseman Chris McClendon. Seventh-inning stretch time: Kentucky 6, Tennessee 4.

Cats roar back with six-run sixth

Chad Wright

For a second inning in a row, Kentucky opens with back-to-back singles, this time by Andy Burns and Chris Bisson, to put runners on the corners. Gunner Glad’s fly to center is too shallow to score Burns. A wild pitch moves Bisson to second base before Marcus Nidiffer draws a walk to load the bases. Keenan Wiley, who singled to open the previous inning, fouls off a couple of 3-2 pitches before lining a two-run single down the third-base line. Nidiffer holds at second. Braden Kapteyn brings Nidiffer home with the tying run and moves Wiley to third with a double to left. Vols lefty Nick Hernandez spears Chris McClendon’s bullet-comebacker to notch the second out, but Bryan Rose walks to load the bases. Chad Wright, 0-for-3 to this point, clears the bases with a double down the line that glances off the glove of left-fielder P.J. Polk. Wright goes to third on a wild pitch. Burns flies to deep left. At the end of six innings: Kentucky 6, Tennessee 3.

Cats trail 3-0 in middle of 6th

Tennessee gets a two-out single from Cody Grisham, but nothing else in the sixth inning. Going to the bottom of the inning: Tennessee 3, Kentucky 0.

Cats threaten but don’t score in fifth

Kentucky mounts its strongest threat in the fifth, starting with back-to-back singles by Keenan Wiley and Braden Kapteyn. Chris McClendon’s bunt moves runners to second and third with one out. But Vols left Nick Hernandez retires Bryan Rose on a pop foul and gets Chad Wright on a groundout to second. Going to the sixth inning: Tennessee 3, Kentucky 0.

Vols go down in order in fifth

A correction on the fourth-inning scoring for Tennessee (see revised information below).

In the top of the fifth, Tennessee goes down in order. In the middle of the fifth: Tennessee 3, Kentucky 0.

Vols lead Cats 3-0 through 4th

Tennessee left-hander Nick Hernandez sets Kentucky down in order in the fourth. Going to the fifth: Tennessee 3, Kentucky 0.

Vols push lead to 3-0 in fourth

Zach Osborne

UK lefty James Paxton strikes out the first two batters in the fourth inning, but the second of those – Tyler Horne — reaches first on a wild pitch. Cody Grisham’s single to left advances Horne to third and Grisham takes second on the throw to third. Paxton comes back to strike out Jarred Frazier. But Zach Osborne, a freshman out of Pleasure Ridge Park, singles up the middle drives in both runners. In the middle of the fourth: Tennessee 3, Kentucky 0.

Vols lead Cats 1-0 through third

Kentucky’s No. 9 hitter, Bryan Rose, is hit by a pitch to start the third inning. But Chad Wright grounds into a 4-6-3 doubld play and Andy Burns lines out to center. Going to the fourth inning: Tennessee 1, Kentucky 0.

Tennessee strands two in 3rd inning

In the top of the third inning, Tennessee’s Blake Forsythe reaches first on a two-out fielding error by shortstop Andy Burns. Cody Hawn draws a walk, but James Paxton catches P.J. Polk looking at a third strike. In the middle of the third: Tennessee 1, Kentucky 0.

Cats waste Nidiffer’s second-inning single

Kentucky gets a leadoff single from Marcus Nidiffer but can’t move him past second base. After two complete innings: Tennessee 1, Kentucky 0.

Tennessee down in order in 2nd inning

James Paxton

Kentucky left-hander James Paxton retires the Tennessee Volunteers in order in the second inning. Going to the bottom of the second: Tennessee 1, Kentucky 0.

Tennessee leads Kentucky 1-0 through 1st

Kentucky threatens in the bottom of the first but gets nothing. Andy Burns laces a one-out single to left. As Chris Bisson strikes out, Burns steals second. Gunner Glad hits a ball hard, but right at third baseman Cody Brown, who tags Burns for the third out. After one inning: Tennessee 1, Kentucky 0.

Tennessee gets a run in first

Blake Forsythe

Tennessee strikes in the top of the first, doing all its damage after the first two batters are retired. Blake Forsythe singles through the right side of the infield, then goes to second as Cody Hawn reaches on a third-strike wild pitch. P.J. Polk’s single to right scores Forsythe, Hawn stopping at second. After half an inning: Tennessee 1, Kentucky 0.

Late lineup change puts Wade on bench

A late lineup change for Kentucky. SS Chris Wade will not start due to a sore hamstring. Andy Burns, originally set to DH, moves to short. Braden Kapteyn goes in as DH. The revised lineup is listed below.

SEC baseball: Tennessee at Kentucky

Getting ready for Friday’s opener of a three-game Southeastern Conference baseball series at Cliff Hagan Stadium, with Kentucky (22-22 overall, 8-13) playing host to Tennessee (20-25, 6-15).

UK comes in 10th overall in the SEC, Tennessee 11th. Only the top eight teams will qualify for the SEC Tournament, May 20-24, at Hoover, Ala.

The top eight entering weekend play, in order: LSU, Georgia, Arkansas, Ole Miss, Florida, Alabama, Vanderbilt and South Carolina. Auburn is No. 9.

The weather 30 minutes before the scheduled game time is 72 degrees, overcast, an 18 mph wind blowing from right field to left, with gusts to 25 mph.

The lineups:

Tennessee — Zach Osborne, ss; Kentrail Davis, cf; Blake Forsythe, c; Cody Hawn, 1b; P.J. Polk, lf; Cody Brown, 3b; Tyler Horne, dh; Cody Grisham, 2b; Jarred Frazier, rf. Pitching: LH Nick Hernandez (2-4, 5.26).

Kentucky — Chad Wright, lf; Andy Burns, ss; Chris Bisson, 2b; Gunner Glad, 1b; Marcus Nidiffer, c; Keenan Wiley, cf; Braden Kapteyn, dh; Chris McClendon, 3b; Bryan Rose, rf. Pitching: LH James Paxton (4-2, 5.53).

Umpires — Tony Maners, home; John Whitaker, 1b; Owen Butts, 3b.

In the bottom of the ninth, Kentucky’s Chris Bisson knocks a one-out bloop single to left. He takes second on a wild pitch and third on Gunner Glad’s groundout to second. Chris McClendon grounds to second, as the Cats strand their 10th runner of the game. FINAL SCORE: Georgia 5, Kentucky 4.

Lewis homers to put Bulldogs on top

Kentucky makes a defensive change to start the ninth, Marcus Nidiffer replacing Michael Williams as catcher. Joey Lewis leads off with a high-arcing home run over the left-field wall, his 11th homer of the season. Pinch-hitter Chase Davidson reaches on a throwing error by second baseman Chris Bisson, then steals second. With Lyle Allen in an 0-2 hole, UK Coach Gary Henderson makes a pitching change — left-hander Logan Darnell taking over for righty Clint Tilford — after Allen drives a long, long ball barely foul down the right-field line. Allen swings at the first pitch and pops out to short center field. Davidson is nailed at third on a strike ‘em out, throw ‘em out double play. Going to the bottom of the ninth, Davidson stays in the Georgia lineup in right field; Peter Verdin moves from right to center; and Dean Weaver comes on to pitch. The score: Georgia 5, Kentucky 4.

Wright is caught stealing to end 8th

Kentucky gets a two-out single, up the middle, from Chad Wright, but he is caught stealing. Moving to the top of the ninth: Kentucky 4, Georgia 4.

Tilford keeps door shut in 8th

UK right-hander Clint Tilford works his second consecutive perfect inning of relief. Going to the bottom of the eighth: Kentucky 4, Georgia 4.

Left-fielder Allen makes diving catch to snuff UK rally

Chris Bisson leads off the Kentucky seventh with a single. One out later, he steals second. With two outs, Bisson steals third as Chris Wade draws a walk. Keenan Wiley lofts a fly to short left-center, but is robbed of a run-scoring hit as left-fielder Lyle Allen makes a diving catch for the third out. Going to the eighth: Kentucky 4, Georgia 4.

Tilford perfect in first inning of relief

UK reliever Clint Tilford retires Georgia in order in the seventh, getting a pair of groundouts and a strikeout. Going to the bottom of the inning, Georgia right-hander Will Harvil comes in to replace Justin Earle; Miles Starr takes over at second base for Michael Dermperio. Through 6 1/2 innings: Kentucky 4, Georgia 4.

Error pushes across tying run for Wildcats in sixth

Keenan Wiley

Paxton notches ninth and 10th strikeouts of game

Cats can’t score in fifth

Kentucky gets a one-out single from Gunner Glad, but nothing else, in the fifth. Going to the sixth inning: Georgia 4, Kentucky 3.

Poythress goes deep to give Georgia a 4-3 lead

Rich Poythress

Cats go down in order in fourth

Paxton strikes out the side in fourth

UK left-hander James Paxton strikes out the side in a perfect fourth inning. Going to the bottom of the fourth: Kentucky 3, Georgia 2.

Wildcats take 3-2 lead on Wade’s RBI-double

Chris Wade

Double play ends Georgia’s chances in third inning

Cats tie on Williams’ RBI-single in second inning

Michael Williams

Georgia rallies for two runs in second inning

Inning-by-inning recap

Bulldogs add a run in the ninth

Cats get nothing in eighth

Henry strikes out the side in eighth

Cats strand a runner in seventh

Georgia strands runner in seventh

Killer Keenan ‘goes yard’ second straight chance

Keenan Wiley

For a second consecutive at-bat, UK’s Keenan Wiley goes deep, lining a leadoff homer well beyond the right-field wall. His second homer of the game also is his second of the season. One out later, Chad Wright reaches on an infield single and Chris Bisson reaches on a fielding error by second baseman Michael Demperio. That finishes Trevor Holder’s day as Georgia Coach David Perno summons right-hander Michael Palazzone from the bullpen. Palazzone gets Chris Wade and Chris McClendon to fly out. At the end of six innings: Georgia 6, Kentucky 4.

Nothing doing for Bulldogs in sixth

Nothing doing for Cats in fifth

Georgia scores three in fifth to take 6-3 lead

Lyle Allen

The first two Georgia batters in the fifth reach safely — Matt Cerione on a single and Rich Poythress on a full-count walk. Another full-count walk — the third walk in as many plate appearances for Bryce Massaneri — loads the bases with no outs. Lyle Allen, who smacked a two-run homer his previous at-bat, drives in Cerione with the go-ahead run on a sacrifice fly to right. UK starter Alex Meyer gets Joey Lewis on a pop to second, but walks Colby May on a 3-2 pitch to again load the bases. Meyer, having given up five hits and seven walks while striking out six, is replaced by right-hander Tyler Henry. Henry puts Levi Hyams in an 0-2 hole. On the third pitch, a ball, UK catcher Marcus Nidiffer tries to catch Poythress straying from third. But the ball skips past third baseman Chris McClendon for a run-scoring error on Nidiffer. Hyams then hits a high chopper down the line. McClendon, looking for a friendly bounce into foul territory, lets the ball go. It skips past, staying fair, for an odd run-scoring double. A walk loads the bases, but Henry retires Johnathan Taylor on a fly to center. In the middle of the fifth inning: Georgia 6, Kentucky 3.

Wiley ties it with first homer of season

Bulldogs retake lead on Allen’s two-run homer

Georgia wasted little time in taking the lead back from Kentucky. Bryce Massanari led off the fourth with a walk. Lyle Allen then lined a two-run homer just over the short (310 feet down the line) wall in right field. The Bulldogs put two more runners on, but they were stranded at second and third. After 3 1/2 innings: Georgia 3, Kentucky 2.

Glad drives in a pair for UK

Gunner Glad

Kentucky gets a pair of one-out hits in the third. Chad Wright bunts to the first-base side for a single and moves to second on Chris Bisson’s “swinging bunt” single towards the mound. Wright takes third on Chris Wade’s fly to right, and a walk by Chris McClendon loads the bases for cleanup hitter Gunner Glad. Swinging at a 2-0 pitch, Glad dropped a Texas League-single into short center. Wright and Bisson scored, with McClendon taking third. Georgia averts further damage as left-fielder Johnathan Taylor makes a diving catch of Bryan Rose’s drive down the line. After three innings: Kentucky 2, Georgia 1.

Cats turn double play to end Georgia’s third

Georgia gets a one-out single from Matt Cerione in the third inning. But Alex Meyer induces Rich Poythress to ground into a 6-4-3 double play (Chris Wade to Chris Bisson to Gunner Glad). Going to the bottom of the third: Georgia 1, Kentucky 0.

Cats get a runner

Kentucky gets its first base-runner as Bryan Rose draws a one-out walk. He gets to second on a wild pitch, but is stranded there. Through two innings: Georgia 1, Kentucky 0.

McClendon’s web gem sets up 1-2-3 inning

Chris McClendon

Georgia goes down in order in the second, thanks to Kentucky third baseman Chris McClendon. Leadoff man Colby May was robbed of a hit when McClendon made a diving stab of a liner down the line, righted himself and threw out May at first. Alex Meyer struck out the next two batters. After 1 1/2 innings: Georgia 1, Kentucky 0.

Cats go down 1-2-3 in first

Georgia starter Trevor Holder sets the Wildcats down in order, striking out two. After one inning: Georgia 1, Kentucky 0.

Bulldogs strike first

Rich Poythress

Georgia takes a 1-0 lead in the first. Johnathan Taylor drew a leadoff walk, stole second and went to third on Matt Cerione’s groundout. Rich Poythress followed with a run-scoring single up the middle — his NCAA-leading 57th RBI of the season. Two more Bulldogs reached base before UK starter Alex Meyer struck out Lyle Allen and Joey Lewis to end the threat. After half an inning: Georgia 1, Kentucky 0.

Play Ball!

At Cliff Hagan Stadium for the start of Kentucky’s three-game Southeastern Conference baseball series against Georgia.

After being rained out Friday night, the teams are scheduled to play two Saturday, at 2 p.m and the regularly scheduled time of 7 p.m.

Lineups for the first game:

Georgia – Johnathan Taylor, lf; Matt Cerione, cf; Rich Poythress, 1b; Bryce Massanari, c; Lyle Allen, rf; Joey Lewis, dh; Colby May, 3b; Levi Hyams, ss; Michael Demperio, 2b. Pitching: RH Trevor Holder (5-2, 3.48).

Kentucky – Chris Bisson, 2b; Chris Wade, ss; Chris McClendon, 3b; Gunner Glad, 1b; Bryan Rose, rf; Marcus Nidiffer, c; Keenan Wiley, cf; Andy Burns, dh; Chad Wright, lf. Pitching: RH Alex Meyer (1-1, 4.04).

Chris Rusin

Chris Rusin threw eight shutout innings, while Andy Burns went 3-for-3 with three RBI as Kentucky shut out Indiana State 5-0 Saturday at Cliff Hagan Stadium.

Rusin, a senior left-hander, gave up six hits and a walk, striking out nine. Now 2-1, he threw 110 pitches, 73 for strikes, and dropped his ERA from 6.75 to 3.63. Only one Indiana State runner reached second base — in an eighth inning that included two errors and Rusin’s lone walk.

Tyler Henry closed with a 1-2-3 ninth inning.

Burns drove in UK’s first three runs. His second-inning triple scored two runs, and a fourth-inning sacrifice fly made it 3-0.

“It’s a lot off your chest when you get the runs and you can just go out there and throw,” Rusin said. “Nothing to hold back, throw a lot of strikes, get some early action and, hopefully, you can go the whole game.”

UK pitchers have allowed one walk in 18 innings against Indiana State. The Wildcats for a three-game sweep Sunday at 1 p.m.

In addition to his offensive production, Burns contributed some nifty defense from the get-go. The second batter of the game, Koby Kraemer, hit a slow roller in no-man’s land between the mound, third and short. Burns charged, made a clean pick and threw out Kraemer.

An inning later, Sycamores leadoff batter Luke Fieser singled. Tyler Graham tried to advance Fieser with a bunt.

Gary Henderson

However, Burns charged, plucked the popup out of the air, then fired to first to double off Fieser.

“The ball just kept finding me,” Burns said, “and that’s what you’ve got to do in a game like that.”

Coach Gary Henderson liked what he saw from Burns.

“I thought he was much more aggressive at third base. Much more aggressive, looser, more confident,” Henderson said. “And, boy, it’s surprising how often those things go hand in hand with a young player. A little success on one side, then helps out the other side. (I’m) really pleased with his development. Obviously, it was a great day for him.”

Following are the notes filed live during the game.

Baseball final: Kentucky 5, Indiana State 0

UK’s Tyler Henry retired Luke Fieser, Brian Jett and pinch-hitter Brian Ramirez in order in the ninth. Final score: Kentucky 5, Indiana State 0.

A full recap will be coming in Sunday’s Herald-Leader and online at http://www.kentucky.com/820/story/718452.html.

 Wildcats take 5-0 lead to ninth inning

UK’s Andy Burns notches his third hit of the game, a single, but that’s all for UK in the eighth. RHP Tyler Henry will come on in the ninth and try to close the shutout. Through eight: UK 5, ISU 0.

Rusin wriggles out of jam in 8th; UK leads 5-0

Fielding errors on SS Chris Wade and 2B Chris Bisson, plus a two-out walk to Nick Ciolli, put Chris Rusin in a bind in the top of the eighth.  A 6-4-3 double play and called third strike led to two runners being stranded. Bisson’s error was the first by a UK second baseman in 376 days. The previous E was charged to Neiko Johnson in February of 2008. Going to the bottom of the eighth: UK 5, ISU 0

Wildcats take 5-0 lead into the eighth inning

With one out in the bottom of the seventh, UK’s Marcus Nidiffer singles and Chad Wright walks. But RH Brandon Smith retires Neiko Johnson on a liner to center, then gets pinch-hitter Bryan Rose on a called third strike. Though seven innings: UK 5, ISU 0. Rose remains in the game, playing right field.

Kentucky leads Indiana State 5-0 in 7th

Indiana State’s Joe Meggs is stranded after knocking a two-out single up the middle. Going to the bottom of the seventh: UK 5, ISU 0.

Pitching change for the Sycamores: RH Brandon Smith. Starter Eric Valdez worked six innings, giving up five runs, three earned, on six hits and five walks. He struck out four.

Kentucky leads Indiana State 5-0 through 6th

Kentucky gets a sixth-inning single by Andy Burns, but nothing else. Heading to the seventh: UK 5, ISU 0.

Kentucky’s Rusin working on a gem

ISU snaps LHP Chris Rusin’s string of retired batters at nine, getting a two-out single through the right side of the infield by Nick Ciolli. However, that’s all the Sycamores get as Rusin strikes out the side. Through the top of the sixth, Rusin has a five-hit shutout going. All five hits are singles. He has not given a walk and has struck out seven.

Indiana State makes a couple of defensive changes in the bottom of the sixth. Ben Ferrell comes in at second, Brian Jett at first.

Wildcats up lead to 5-0 through five innings

Neiko Johnson

UK adds a run in the fifth to take a 5-0 lead. Keenan Wiley and Marcus Nidiffer opened the inning with back-to-back singles. The runners moved to second and third on Chad Wright’s sacrifice bunt. Wiley scored on Neiko Johnson’s sacrifice fly to short center. ISU 1B Tyler Graham took the cutoff throw on the mound, then threw wildly past catcher Bronco Lafrenz, which allowed Nidiffer to move to third. Cory Farris struck out to end the inning.

Rusin locks down ISU again

In the top of the fifth, LHP Chris Rusin retires Indiana State 1-2-3 for a second consecutive inning. Overall, he has retired seven in a row.

UK pads lead to 4-0

UK’s Andy Burns, who tripled in two runs in the second, added an RBI in the fourth. Neiko Johnson and Cory Farris started the inning with back-to-back walks. Chris Wade’s bunt down the first-base line went for a hit, loading the bases. A sacrifice fly to center, by Burns, scored Johnson and moved Farris to third. Farris scored when Chris Bisson legged out a fielder’s choice, avoiding a double play. Through four innings: UK 4, ISU 0.

1-2-3 in top of the fourth

UK LHP Chris Rusin retires Indiana State 1-2-3 in the top of the fourth.

Cats waste leadoff double

Bottom of the third, UK’s Braden Kapteyn leads off with a double to the gap in left-center. But ISU RH Eric Valdez retires the next three in order, including two strikeouts. Through three innings: UK 2, ISU 0.

Nothing doing for ISU in third

In the top of the third, Indiana State’s gets back-to-back two-out singles by Ryan Strausborger and Koby Kraemer. But UK lefty Chris Rusin punches out Nick Ciolli to end the inning. UK 2, ISU 0.

Kentucky takes 2-0 lead in second inning

Andy Burns

Andy Burns delivered a two-out, two-run triple to the gap in right-center, giving Kentucky a 2-0 lead in the second. Leadoff batter Chad Wright reached on a fielding error by 2B Koby Kraemer. One out later, Cory Farris walked. A strikeout later, Burns tripled. Sycamores CF Ryan Strausborger made a valiant attempt at a catch, but his all-out dive earned just a soft glance off his glove. Burns was stranded when Chris Bisson flied to left.

No score through 1 1/2 innings

Indiana State got a two-out single from Nick Ciolli in the first and a leadoff single by Luke Fieser in the second. Fieser was erased when Tyler Graham popped up to third baseman Andy Burns on a bunt attempt, with Fieser doubled up easily at first base.

UK had a pair of first-inning walks, but Braden Kapteyn was picked off second base to end the inning.

Lineups

Indiana State (9-3) – Ryan Strausborger, cf; Koby Kraemer, 2b; Nick Ciolli, rf; Brady Shoemaker, lf; Luke Fieser, 3b; Tyler Graham, 1b; Joe Meggs, dh; Pascual del Real, ss; Bronco Lafrenz, c. Pitching: RH Eric Valdez (1-0, 2.19).

Kentucky (7-2) – Chris Bisson, 2b; Braden Kapteyn, 1b; Keenan Wiley, cf; Marcus Nidiffer, c; Chad Wright, lf; Neiko Johnson, dh; Cory Farris, rf; Chris Wade, ss; Andy Burns, 3b. Pitching: LH Chris Rusin (1-1, 6.75).

Umpires – John Bennett, home; Don Hudson, 1b; Nathan Huber, 3b.

Weather – (unofficial) 69 degrees, wind 12 mph, in from rf, with gusts up to 23 mph.

Spanning the commonwealth and beyond …

The Mason-Dixon Athletic Club will host its 49th annual Mason-Dixon Games, Friday and Saturday, in Broadbent Arena at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville.

Approximately 3,000 Kentucky middle school and high school athletes will compete, plus about 70 Masters and Open athletes.

Friday’s schedule begins at 4:30 p.m. with Masters and Open events. Middle school events begin at 5:15 p.m.

Saturday’s high school schedule begins at 8 a.m. for Class A, 1 p.m. for 2A and 5 p.m. for 3A. The meet is designated by the Kentucky Track and Cross Country Coaches Association as the indoor state championships.

Admission is $5 each day. Officials will again be collected canned goods and non-perishable items, to be donated to the Dare to Care Food Bank.

In conjunction with the Games, the Mason-Dixon Games Hall of Fame induction banquet will be tonight (Thursday) at Wildwood Country Club in Fern Creek.

Inductees include athletes Bobby Brown (long jump), Susie Brutscher (pole vault pioneer), 1976 Olympian Tommy Haynes (triple jump, long jump) and 1968 Olympic gold-medalist (200 meters) Tommie Smith (440 yards), along with officials Ron Althoff, David L. Armstrong, Donnie Ray and Jack Thompson, plus “significant supporter” of the Games David A. Jones.

Al Michaels returns to Olympic broadcasting

Dick Ebersol, chairman of NBC Universal Sports and Olympics, announced Thursday that Emmy Award-winning broadcaster Al Michaels will serve as host of NBC’s live weekend and weekday daytime coverage of next year’s Vancouver Winter Olympic Games.

Michaels last broadcast a Winter Olympics in 1988, also in Canada — Calgary, Alberta.

In 1980, Michaels made the call on what, according to a variety of polls, Americans consider the nation’s top sports moment of the 20th century, The Miracle on Ice hockey victory over the Soviet Union.

“Do you believe in miracles? YES!” was his most memorable line as the game neared the finish at the Lake Placid Winter Olympics.

Michaels will host more than 50 hours of live coverage. Although this will mark Michaels’ debut as an Olympic host, he is no stranger to the Games. Vancouver will mark his sixth Olympic assignment.

He covered hockey, biathlon, speed skating, ski jumping and cross-country skiing at the 1972 Sapporo Olympics; hockey at the 1980 Lake Placid Games; figure skating and hockey at the 1984 Sarajevo Games; track and field, plus road cycling, at the 1984 Los Angeles Summer Games and hockey at the 1988 Calgary Games.

Michaels is the only broadcaster to call a Super Bowl, World Series, NBA Finals and host a Stanley Cup Final for network television.

12 semifinalists for Sullivan Award are named

The 12 semifinalists for the 79th annual James E. Sullivan Award include three gymnasts and three swimmers.

Nastia Liukin

The Sullivan Award, named in honor of the AAU (Amateur Athletic Union) founder and past president, is presented annually to the outstanding amateur athlete in the United States. In addition to athletic accomplishsments, the Sullivan Award considers the qualities of leadership, character, sportsmanship and the ideals of amateurism.

Gymnasts on the semifinals list are Beijing Olympics all-around champion Nastia Liukin, Olympic balance beam gold-medalist Shawn Johnson and Olympic silver-medalist on the horizontal bar, Jonathan Horton.

Swimming semifinalists are the Olympic men’s 4-by-100-meter freestyle relay champions, Paralympian champion Erin Popovich (four gold medals, two silver) and 41-year-old Olympian Dara Torres (three silver medals).

Also on the list are: Cynthia Barboza, Stanford University, volleyball; Amanda Blumenherst, Duke University, golf; Sam Bradford, University of Oklahoma, football; Tyler Hansbrough, University of North Carolina, basketball; the Lopez family (Olympic medalists Diana, Mark and Steven), taekwondo, and Gerald “Buster” Posey, Florida State University, baseball.

Fan can vote online at www.usatoday.com. The winner will be announced April 15 at the New York Athletic Club.

Trammel is USATF Athlete of Week

Two-time Olympic and World Outdoor silver-medalist Terrence Trammell, winner of the men’s 60-meter hurdles and the Visa Championship Series at last weekend’s USA Indoor Track & Field Championships, is USA Track & Field Athlete of the Week.

Trammell led all the way at Boston, clocking 7.37 seconds to break Reggie Torian’s 10-year-old meet record of 7.38. Trammell just missed the American record (7.36) but did get the fastest time in the world this season.

Among others, Trammell beat Oklahoma State freshman German Fernandez for weekly honors. Running in the Big 12 Indoor Championships at College Station, Texas, Fernandez won the mile in a collegiate-record 3:55.02. Three hours later, Fernandez won the 3,000 meters in the second-best time in meet history, 7:57.21.

UK baseball opens 3-game set vs. Indiana State

James Paxton

Chris Rusin

The Cats (6-2) and Sycamores (9-2) will meet Friday at 4 p.m., Saturday at 1 p.m., and Sunday at 1 p.m.

 

Cats add two games to schedule

Pre-game clinic Saturday

Briefly: James Johnson, Bobby Curtis

James Johnson, right, with Helena Hau and myself in Beijing.

James Johnson,

a three-time national champion Greco-Roman wrestler out of the University of Kentucky, has been on tour since Feb. 23 as coach of U.S. Greco-Roman athletes competing in the Hungary Grand Prix and in Slovakia. The tour ends Sunday.