April 26, 2002

Box Score

Junior Gordon Tyler went 4-for-5 at the plate, but it was not enough to lift the University of Kentucky baseball team past No. 5 South Carolina at Cliff Hagan Stadium Friday night as it fell 6-4 in 10 innings.

Kentucky, (14-26, 3-16 SEC) wasted no time getting to Gamecock pitcher Gary Bell (7-2). Tyler got the first hit for the Cats, a blast to center that dropped in the gap in the first inning. Sophomore Caleb Stewart, who had reached on a walk, was waived home but the throw from USC shortstop Drew Meyer caught him out at home plate to end the inning.

The Cats would not stay scoreless for long. After Robert Newton reached on an error in the bottom of the second, freshman Mike Ferris and junior Russ Rutherford got back-to-back singles to bring home the senior, but Rutherford was thrown out at second to leave two Cats on base.

UK sophomore Cory Hahn threw two perfect innings, but with two outs in the top of the third, Hahn gave up two walks. A single to third by Steve Thomas scored both base runners to put South Carolina on the board. The Gamecocks added one run each in the fourth and fifth to take the 4-2 lead going into the bottom of the fifth.

After Stewart reached base on another Gamecock error, Tyler got his third hit of the night, and Seth Morris walked to load the bases. A sac fly from Robert Newton brought home Stewart, prompting USC Coach Ray Tanner to signal for freshman pitcher Aaron Rawl. Rawl (1-1) got sophomore Spencer Preston to fly out to finish the inning.

Preston regrouped in his next at bat, taking pitcher Blake Taylor (4-0) over the deepest part of the ballpark in right-center to lead off the eighth inning and tie the game at four apiece. Neither team scored again, pushing the Cats to their third extra inning game of the season.

The Cocks put two across in the top the tenth to seal the win. Trey Dyson reached on a fielding error, and another throwing error advanced pinch runner Tim Seaton to second. Brian Buscher's single to right field brought home Seaton, and the Cocks added an insurance run on an RBI single by Justin Harris.

Taking the loss on the mound for the Cats was senior Bryan Felkel (2-2), who gave up only one hit and two unearned runs in one inning of relief.

Kentucky and South Carolina will continue play tomorrow at 2 p.m. The Cats will send junior right hander Joseph Blanton (3-5, 4.20 ERA) to the mound while South Carolina's starter is to be announced.

USC	002    110    000    2  -  6   10  2
UK	011    010    010    0  -  4    9  2
Win: Taylor (4-0)
Loss: Felkel
Time: 3:00
Attendance: 382