KENTUCKY PROUD PARK – March 4, 2020 – JOHN TURNER, III – BSN
The Kentucky Wildcats took on Murray State University at 4 PM at Kentucky Proud Park. Kentucky came into the game coming off a 12-4 win against the University of Cincinnati Tuesday afternoon. Kentucky came in with an overall record of (6-6) on the season and looked to get back to a winning record.
Cole Stupp was the starter for Kentucky and J. Ivery for Murray State. Murray State got things going quick, getting four runs across in the top of the first inning to jump to 4-0 lead. Kentucky managed to get one back in the bottom of the first inning, with a single to right center from TJ Collett, scoring Austin Shultz to cut the deficit to 4-1. In the bottom of the second inning, with bases loaded, Chase Estep drew a walk, brining John Rhodes in to cut the score to 4-2. Tanner Holen flied out to center field, scoring Matt Golda to bring the score to 4-3 after two innings of play.
In the bottom of the third inning, John Rhodes singled to center field, scoring Austin Shultz to tie the game at 4-4. Matt Golda then doubled down the left field, bringing in John Rhodes and Oraj Anu to put the Cats up 6-4. Chase Estep singled to right center, scoring Matt Golda to increase the lead to 7-4after three innings of baseball. The Racers battled back in the top of the fourth, adding two runs to the score to bring the game to 7-6. In the bottom of the fifth inning, Matt Golda flied out to center field, scoring Oraj Anu to give the Cats an 8-6 lead.
Both teams were scoreless in the sixth, seventh, and eighth inning. Going into the ninth inning, the Kentucky Wildcats had an 8-6 lead. In the top of the ninth inning, the Racers were able to get two runs across the board to tie the game up to 8-8. In the bottom of the ninth inning, John Rhodes went yard to left field with a solo homerun to walk the Cats off with a final score of 9-8!!
Zack Lee got the win for Kentucky to put him at (1-1) on the season and improved the Cats to (7-6). Kentucky was led at the plate by Jaren Shelby going (1-5), Austin Shultz going (2-5), TJ Collett going (2-5) with one RBI, John Rhodes going (3-5) with a walk off homerun and two RBI’s, Matt Golda going (1-2) with three RBI’s, Zeke Lewis going (2-3), Chase Estep going (1-3) with two RBI’s, and Tanner Holen going (1-3) with one RBI. Kentucky scored nine runs, had thirteen hits, committed zero errors, and left six runners on base in the in-state matchup Wednesday afternoon.
Kentucky improves to (7-6) on the season and look to pick up a few more wins this upcoming weekend. The Wildcats host Bradley University in a three-game home series with game times of 4 PM on Friday, 1 PM on Saturday, and 1 PM on Sunday. Everyone get out and support the Cats this weekend or get your coverage here at Bluegrass Sports Nation.
