LEXINGTON, Ky. – Kentucky broke a 2-2 tie with a run in the third inning and added an insurance run in the sixth to get past the Milwaukee baseball team, 4-2, in game two of a doubleheader Saturday at Kentucky Proud Park.
Down 2-0 early, the Panthers (0-3) rallied to make it a new game before the Wildcats (4-0) would push across enough to earn the sweep on the day.
"Their arms really dictated play all weekend," head coach
Scott Doffek said. "I was certainly encouraged in all phases at times, but we just weren't consistent in any of them and that is the name of the game. It was great to be out competing again and see all these new faces in action. We are really excited for next weekend."
Luke Seidel provided the big blast for Milwaukee, driving in
Marcus Cline with a two-run shot to left field to square things up at 2-2 in the top of the third.
UK had an answer, pushing across a run in the bottom of the frame without a hit, using a pair of hit batters and an error to climb back ahead on an unearned run. Reuben Church then added a home run in the sixth for insurance.
Riley Frey (0-1) suffered the loss, allowing two earned runs in his 4.0 innings of work.
AJ Blubaugh pitched a scoreless fifth with a strikeout.
"I thought we got a quality start out of Riley today," Doffek said. "For his first collegiate outing, against a lineup like that, he did a nice job."
Seidel finished 2-for-3 from the leadoff spot to pace the offense.
Adam LaRock added a double and
Mike Ferri,
Jack Cavanaugh and Cline all added singles in a game that was pitching-heavy both ways.
In the opener, the Panthers put themselves in an early hole when they allowed three unearned runs in the bottom of the second, but did get themselves back in the game in the third.
"We beat ourselves in the middle part of that game on the mound," Doffek said. "And like I said yesterday, you just can't do that at this level."
Nick Winter doubled to lead off and
Mitchell Buban followed with a single to put two on with nobody out. Two outs later,
Jake Novak came through with a big hit, driving in a pair with a double down the left field line that had MKE back within one at 3-2.
However, UK responded with a four-run fourth inning to take control. Novak added another RBI in the seventh to round out the scoring in what ended up as a 9-3 loss. The offense recorded eight hits by eight different players.
Mike Edwards (0-1) started and did not allow an earned run in his 3.0 innings of work, striking out a pair.
Patrick Tomfohrde made his season debut with a scoreless inning, facing three batters to end the fourth.
Up next, the schedule takes the Panthers to Ohio University for a four-game series with the Bobcats. The opener is set for Friday at 3 p.m.
