Georgia completes 3-game sweep of Kentucky

April 12, 2009

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

Keenan Wiley

The Wildcats claw back in the sixth. Keenan Wiley bounces a one-out single up the middle and, as Michael Williams strikes out, steals second. Georgia second baseman Michael Demperio makes a nice stop of Bryan Rose’s grounder but, in his hurry to make the throw to first, fires past first baseman Rich Poythress. Wiley scores and Rose advances to second, the play ruled as a single and a throwing error. Left-hander Justin Earle replaces Georgia starter Justin Grimm and walks Chad Wright. But Andy Burns is out on a tapper to the pitcher. Going to the top of the seventh, right-hander Clint Tilford will take over from starter James Paxton on the mound for Kentucky. The score: Kentucky 4, Georgia 4.

Paxton notches ninth and 10th strikeouts of game

UK lefty James Paxton retires Georgia in order in the sixth. He strikes out the last two batters, bringing his day’s total to 10. In the middle of the sixth: Georgia 4, Kentucky 3.
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

Rich Poythress

Georgia takes back the lead with two runs in the top of the fifth. James Paxton retired the first two batters, but lost Colby May to a walk on 12 pitches. Rich Poythress then lined a 1-0 pitch over the old scoreboard in right field. The homer, his 16th of the season, increased Poythress’ NCAA-leading RBI total to 60. Georgia now has homered in 33 of 35 games. Going to the bottom of the fifth: Georgia 4, Kentucky 3.
Cats go down in order in fourth
Kentucky goes down 1-2-3 in the fourth inning. Heading into the fifth: Kentucky 3, Georgia 2.

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

Chris Wade

Kentucky seizes the lead in the bottom of the third. Gunner Glad draws a one-out walk and takes second when Georgia right-hander Justin Grimm is called for a balk. Grimm fans Chris McClendon. But Glad comes around to score when Chris Wade doubles down the third-base line. Through three complete innings: Kentucky 3, Georgia 2.
Double play ends Georgia’s chances in third inning
Georgia gets a one-out infield single in the third from Bryce Massaneri. The threat ends there as Joey Lewis grounds into a 6-4-3 double play. Going to the bottom of the third: Kentucky 2, Georgia 2.

Cats tie on Williams’ RBI-single in second inning
Michael Williams

Michael Williams

Kentucky bounces back in the bottom of the second. Leading off, Chris Wade reaches on a third-strike wild pitch. Keenan Wiley walks. Michael Williams drops a run-scoring single to short left-center. The Cats go on to put runners on second and third with two outs. But Andy Burns, who homered in his first at-bat, takes a called third strike. After two innings: Kentucky 2, Georgia 2.
Georgia rallies for two runs in second inning
Georgia answers Kentucky’s run with a quick one in the second. Zach Cone leads off with a double down the right-field line. One out later, he scores on Michael Demperio’s double to the gap in right-center. A groundout moves Demperio to third base. He scores as Peter Verdin beats out a “Baltimore Chop” single to shortstop. After 1 1/2 innings: Georgia 2, Kentucky 1.

Burns homers to give UK early 1-0 lead

Kentucky takes the early lead as No. 2 batter Andy Burns parks the first pitch he sees over the wall in left-center field. Chris Bisson follows with a single, but that’s all for the Cats in the first inning. Going to the second: Kentucky 1, Georgia 0.

Georgia strands a pair of runners in first

UK lefty James Paxton walks two of the first three batters, with a wild pitch helping put runners on the corners with one out. But Bryce Massanari strikes out looking and Joey Lewis goes down swinging. After half an inning: no score.

Play ball!

Kentucky and Georgia wrap up a three-game Southeastern Conference baseball series Sunday at Cliff Hagan Stadium. Georgia swept a pair of 7-4 decisions.

The lineups:

Georgia – Peter Verdin, rf; Colby May, 3b; Rich Poythress, 1b; Bryce Massanari, dh; Joey Lewis, c; Zach Cone, cf; Lyle Allen, lf; Michael Demperio, 2b; Levi Hyams, ss. Pitching — RH Justin Grimm (2-1, 4.58).

Kentucky – Chad Wright, lf; Andy Burns, dh; Chris Bisson, 2b; Gunner Glad, 1b; Chris McClendon, 3b; Chris Wade, ss; Keenan Wiley, cf; Michael Williams, c; Bryan Rose, rf. Pitching — LH James Paxton (4-2, 6.08).

Umpires – Darrell Arnold, plate; Ray Gregson, first base; Tony Maners, third base.

Weather – 53 degrees, mostly sunny. Wind 15 mph out to right, gusting to 22 mph.


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Posted by Mark Maloney

Georgia completes sweep, taking pair of 7-4 games

April 11, 2009
In the bottom of the ninth, Spencer Korus, pinch-hitter Chad Wright and Keenan Wiley strike out in order. Final score: Georgia 7, Kentucky 4.
Georgia goes down 1-2-3 in the ninth. Michael Palazzone comes out of the Bulldogs bullpen to face UK in the bottom of the ninth. The score: Georgia 7, Kentucky 4.
Cats get a run in the eighth but leave bases juiced
In the bottom of the eighth, UK’s Keenan Wiley leads off with a walk. One out later, Wiley takes second on an infield single by Andy Burns. Lefty Justin Earle replaces Jeff Walters on the mound for Georgia. Chris Bisson lines a single off the glove of second baseman Michael Demperio, loading the bases. Wiley scores and Burns takes third on Chris Wade’s sacrifice foul fly down the right-field line. Gunner Glad walks, loading the bases. Chris McClendon bounces to second, ending the inning with a fielder’s choice. For the second time in the game, UK leaves the bases loaded, bringing its game total to 12 left on. Going to the ninth inning: Georgia 7, Kentucky 4.
Bulldogs strand a runner in 8th
Georgia strands a runner in a scoreless eighth inning. Heading to the bottom of the inning: Georgia 7, Kentucky 3.
Kentucky gets one in the seventh, pulls to within 7-3

For Georgia, Michael Demperio enters the game at second base, replacing pinch-hitter Chase Davidson. Then, the Cats call their bank shots. With one out, a Chris Wade single deflects off of a diving Demperio. Gunner Glad singles off diving third baseman Colby May. The ball caroms into left field, allowing Wade to continue to third base. Chris McClendon works the count full, then walks to load the bases. Wade scores and Glad moves to third on a sacrifice fly to right by Spencer Korus. After seven innings: Georgia 7, Kentucky 3

Georgia adds three runs with two-out rally
UK starter Chris Rusin retires the first two batters in the seventh. But singles by Rich Poythress and Bryce Massanari, followed by a walk to Colby May, load the bases. UK Coach Gary Henderson calls on right-hander Braden Kapteyn to take over on the mound. Joey Lewis knocks a bloop single to left-center, driving in two runs; May stops at second base. Lyle Allen drives an RBI single up the middle, moving Lewis to second. Chase Davidson, pinch-hitting for Miles Starr, strikes out. Going to the bottom of the seventh: Georgia 7, Kentucky 2.
Cats get one in sixth to pull to within 4-2
UK’s Troy Frazier draws a one-out walk in the sixth. Keenan Wiley gets hit by a pitch and starts towards first base, only to be called back by plate umpire Tony Maners, who apparently rules the ball hit Wiley’s bat. Wiley and UK Coach Gary Henderson protest, with Wiley taking off his batting glove to show where the ball hit. Convinced, Maners sends Wiley to first, with Frazier taking second. After a brief protest from Georgia Coach David Perno, Marcus Nidiffer knocks an RBI single through the left side. Wiley stops at third base. Perno pulls his starter, Alex McRee, in favor of Jeff Walters, a righty who earned the save in Saturday’s first game. Shortstop Levi Hyams makes a nice play on an Andy Burns grounder to start an inning-ending 6-4-3 double play, the relay to first being close enough that Henderson raced out to protest — this time with no success. After six innings: Georgia 4, Kentucky 2.
Bulldogs strike for three runs in 6th, lead 4-1
Rich Poythress

Rich Poythress

Georgia regains the lead in the sixth. Rich Poythress leads off with his 15th homer of the season, to the deck in right-center. That gives the Bulldogs a 2-1 lead and increases Poythress’ NCAA-leading RBI total to 58. Georgia has homered in 32 of 34 games this season. Bryce Massanari follows with a single through the right side. He’s wiped out as Colby May grounds into a fielder’s choice. Joey Lewis flies to right. Lyle Allen reaches on an infield single, thanks to May’s hustle to avoid a force at second. A double steal moves the runners to second and third. Both runners score as Miles Starr singles past diving third baseman Chris McClendon. Starr continues to second as the throw from left fielder Troy Frazier comes home. Chris Rusin, with his 100th pitch of the game, strikes out Levi Hyams. In the middle of the sixth inning: Georgia 4, Kentucky 1.

Cats go down quietly in fifth

Bulldogs left Alex McRee matches Chris Rusin’s effort in the top half of the inning, setting Kentucky down in order. Going to the sixth inning: Kentucky 1, Georgia 1.

Georgia goes down in order in the 5th

UK lefty Chris Rusin records his first 1-2-3 inning, getting a strikeout and a pair of groundouts. In the middle of the fifth: Kentucky 1, Georgia 1.

Cats strand a pair of runners in 4th

UK parlays a leadoff walk and a two-out infield single to put runners on the corners. But Chris Bisson grounds to second, putting the Cats’ stranded runners total at six. After four complete innings: Kentucky 1, Georgia 1.

Rusin shows a whole lotta glove

Georgia gets back-to-back one-out singles in the fourth inning. But UK lefty Chris Rusin extracts himself from the jam by making a spectacular play on a Miles Starr shot up the middle that seems destined for a single. Rusin makes a back-handed stab to start a 1-6-3 double play. Going to the bottom of the fourth: Kentucky 1, Georgia 1.

Wildcats tie it up but leave bases loaded
Marcus Nidiffer

Marcus Nidiffer

Kentucky’s half of the third starts with a Marcus Nidiffer double down the third-base line. No. 9 hitter Andy Burns draws a full-count walk. Chris Bisson goes down on a pop-bunt foul, but Chris Wade draws a four-pitch walk to load the bags with one out. Gunner Glad coaxes a full-count walk to score Nidiffer. Chris McClendon goes down on a soft liner to shortstop Levi Hyams. Spencer Korus goes down swinging, leaving the bags loaded. Through three innings: Kentucky 1, Georgia 1.

Bulldogs get third-inning single
Chris Rusin

Chris Rusin

Top of the third, Georgia’s Rich Poythress laces a one-out single through the left side of the infield. But Chris Rusin strikes out Bryce Massanari to end the inning. Through 2 1/2 innings: Georgia 1, Kentucky 0.

Cats keep Georgia shortstop Hyams busy

Kentucky goes down 1-2-3 in the second, all on bouncing balls to shortstop Levi Hyams. The first, by Spencer Korus, was deflected to Hyams by pitcher Alex McRee. After two innings: Georgia 1, Kentucky 0.

Georgia wastes leadoff walk

Georgia wastes a leadoff walk in the second inning. Going to the bottom of the inning: Georgia 1, Kentucky 0.

Cats get leadoff single, but no more

Kentucky gets a leadoff single from Chris Bisson, but Georgia left-hander Alex McRee retires the next three batters in order. After one inning: Georgia 1, Kentucky 0.

Georgia grabs the early lead

Peter Verdin and Matt Cerione lead off with back-to-back scratch singles for Georgia. After retiring Rich Poythress — the NCAA leader in RBI — UK pitcher Chris Rusin gets Bryce Massanari to ground a potential double play ball to shortstop. However, the ball skips under Chris Wade’s glove for a run-scoring error. Kentucky first baseman Gunner Glad gloves Colby May’s soft liner, then dives into the bag to double off Massanari. After half an inning: Georgia 1, Kentucky 0.

Play ball!

Here are the lineups for the second game of Saturday’s Southeastern Conference day-night doubleheader at the University of Kentucky’s Cliff Hagan Stadium. Georgia won the opener 7-4.

 Georgia – Peter Verdin, rf; Matt Cerione, cf; Rich Poythress, 1b; Bryce Massanari, dh; Colby May, 3b; Joey Lewis, c; Lyle Allen, lf; Miles Starr, 2b; Levi Hyams, ss. Pitching — LH Alex McRee (3-0, 2.08).

Kentucky – Chris Bisson, 2b; Chris Wade, ss; Gunner Glad, 1b; Chris McClendon, 3b; Spencer Korus, rf; Troy Frazier, lf; Keenan Wiley, cf; Marcus Nidiffer, c; Andy Burns, dh. Pitching — LH Chris Rusin (4-2, 3.83).

Umpires – Tony Maners, hp; Darrell Arnold, 1b; Ray Gregson, 3b.

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Posted by Mark Maloney

Georgia deals Kentucky a fifth straight loss

April 11, 2009
The baseball adage is nearly as old as the game itself: Walks kill.
Georgia took advantage of nine walks to supplement an eight-hit attack en route to a 7-4 victory over Kentucky in Saturday afternoon’s opener of a three-game Southeastern Conference series at UK’s Cliff Hagan Stadium.
Of the nine walks issued by Kentucky pitchers, five of those base-runners scored.
Georgia catcher Bryce Massanari drew four walks in five plate appearances, scoring three times. Johnathan Taylor and Rich Poythress also scored after drawing walks.
Wildcats starter Alex Meyer (1-2) labored through 4 2/3 innings. He gave up six runs, five earned, on five hits, seven walks and six strikeouts. Of his 108 pitches, 54 were strikes, 54 were balls.
The Bulldogs (26-7, 9-4 SEC) had two hits each from Matt Cerione, Lyle Allen and Colby May. Allen drove in three runs with a two-run homer and a sacrifice fly.
Starter Trevor Holder lasted 5 1/3 innings to get the win. Dean Weaver pitched the ninth to notch his sixth save.
Gunner Glad led UK’s nine-hit attack with three hits and a pair of RBI. Keenan Wiley had a pair of solo home runs. Chris Bisson and Chad Wright added two singles each.
The Wildcats got strong relief from Tyler Henry, who gave up a run on three hits and two walks, striking out six, over 4 1/3 innings.
UK (18-14, 4-9) has lost five games in a row.
The teams will meet again Saturday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 1 p.m.
Inning-by-inning recap
Right-hander Dean Weaver comes out of the Georgia bullpen to start the bottom of the ninth. With one out, Kentucky’s Chris McClendon reaches on a third-strike wild pitch. Gunner Glad’s third hit of the game, a single to the gap in right-center, moves McClendon to third base. Weaver caught Bryan Rose looking at a called third strike over the inside corner. Pinch-hitter Cory Farris popped out to third. Final score: Georgia 7, Kentucky 4.
Bulldogs add a run in the ninth
Georgia adds a run in the ninth. Bryce Massaroni draws a one-out walk, advancing to third on Lyle Allen’s base hit. Tyler Henry’s pickoff move catches Allen leaning at first base. When Allen breaks for second, first baseman Gunner Glad fires the ball to shortstop Chris Wade. So Massaroni breaks for the plate. Wade pegs the ball to catcher Marcus Nidiffer, but up the first-base line, as Massaroni scores and Allen pulls in safely at second. Henry retires the next two batters. Going to the bottom of the ninth: Georgia 7, Kentucky 4.
Cats get nothing in eighth
Keenan Wiley just misses hitting a third consecutive homer, leading off the Kentucky eighth with a fly ball to deep right. Andy Burns walks, but is stranded. Going to the ninth inning: Georgia 6, Kentucky 4.
Henry strikes out the side in eighth
UK’s Tyler Henry strikes out the side, 1-2-3, in the top of the eighth. With UK coming to bat: Georgia 6, Kentucky 4.
Cats strand a runner in seventh
After getting the first out in the seventh, Georgia reliever Michael Palazzone walks Bryan Rose. Coach David Perno calls in another right-hander for the Bulldogs bullpen, Will Harvil. Rose gets caught stealing and Marcus Nidiffer strikes out. Going to the eighth inning: Georgia 6, Kentucky 4.
Georgia strands runner in seventh
In the top of the seventh, Georgia’s Colby May beats out a two-out infield single. But Tyler Henry strikes out Levi Hyams to end the inning. Going to the bottom of the seventh: Georgia 6, Kentucky 4.
Killer Keenan ‘goes yard’ second straight chance
Keenan Wiley

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
UK’s Tyler Henry sets Georgia down in order. In the middle of the sixth inning: Georgia 6, Kentucky 3.
Nothing doing for Cats in fifth
Gunner Glad gets a one-out double for Kentucky, but the Wildcats get nothing else. At the end of five innings: Georgia 6, Kentucky 3.
Georgia scores three in fifth to take 6-3 lead
Lyle Allen

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
Just as Georgia did in the top of the fourth, Kentucky figured out a way to use the wind — blowing out towards right field — to its advantage. With one out and nobody on, Keenan Wiley ripped a 2-1 pitch well past the right-field wall for his first homer of the season. The Cats then get runners to first and third with two outs, but they are stranded. After four innings: Kentucky 3, Georgia 3.
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

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

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

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).

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Posted by Mark Maloney

Rivals.com names Chris Rusin pre-season all-SEC, picks Wildcats to finish fourth in Eastern Division

January 21, 2009

Chris Rusin

Chris Rusin

 

Left-hander Chris Rusin of Kentucky has been named pre-season all-Southeastern Conference by Rivals.com.

Rivals.com also picked the Wildcats to finish fourth in the SEC East.

Rusin became the Wildcats first pitcher in 11 years to earn first-team all-SEC honors last season, following Scott Downs in 1997. Rusin made nine “quality starts” in 13 chances, finishing with a 6-3 record, 3.33 ERA and 65 strikeouts over 83 2/3 innings.

His numbers were skewed when he tried to pitch through an injury in the NCAA Tournament — a career-worst outing against Michigan that last  1 1/3 innings. Leaving that game out of the equation, Rusin was 6-2 with a 2.84 ERA.

The 6-foot-2, 190-pounder had a 2.63 ERA over five road starts, including two complete games.

“We feel like Chris was the best starting pitcher in the SEC last year, earning first-team all-league honors,” Coach Gary Henderson said in a UK press release. “He is an absolute vital part to this year’s success, and his leadership and veteran presence will be critical for our club.”

Kentucky opens play Feb. 20 against Troy in the Caravelle Resort Tournament at Conway, S.C.

The Rivals.com pre-season all-SEC team – C: Bryce Massanari, Georgia; 1B: Rich Poythress, Georgia; 2B: Ryan Schimpf, LSU; SS: Josh Rutledge, Alabama; 3B: Josh Adams, Florida; OF: Kentrail Davis, Tennessee; Blake Dean, LSU; and Chase Leavitt, Arkansas; SP: Chris Rusin, Kentucky; Mike Minor, Vanderbilt; and Trevor Holder, Georgia; RP: Scott Bittle, Ole Miss.

The Rivals.com SEC divisional predictions:

East – 1. Georgia; 2. Florida; 3. Vanderbilt; 4. Kentucky; 5. South Carolina; 6. Tennessee.

West – 1. LSU; 2. Ole Miss; 3. Alabama; 4. Arkansas; 5. Auburn; 6. Mississippi State.

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1 Comment | Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, Baseball, Blake Dean, Bryce Massanari, Chase Leavitt, Chris Rusin, Florida, Gary Henderson, Georgia, Josh Adams, Josh Rutledge, Kentrail Davis, LSU, Mike Minor, Mississippi State, Ole Miss, Rich Poythress, Rivals.com, Ryan Schimpf, Scott Bittle, Scott Downs, South Carolina, Southeastern Conference, Tennessee, Trevor Holder, University of Kentucky, Vanderbilt | Permalink
Posted by Mark Maloney