Kentucky vs Oakland - game 1

[OldRed]

Surprised again. Degen on and struggling mightily in the 3rd inning. Allowed one for Oakland in the top of the first. We got 3 in the next two innings. Top of the third and Oakland scores 2 after Degen gives up a double, walks 2, ground out into a double play, single, then a foul out. Oakland scored two that inning.

Did you know we are ahead of Vandy in double plays? Neither of us are getting a lot of double plays. I am pretty sure the reasons are not the same for us and Vandy. We have been turning more lately.

 

[OldRed]

Bottom of the 3rd We ground out, single, fly out, single. The hits by Lewis and Shelby. Too bad we didn't get an opportunity to move Lewis first or we would have scored. We then ground out to end the 3rd.

 

[OldRed]

Degen is taken down for Zach Lee after getting two outs but walking the next batter. Is really not in control today.

 

[OldRed]

We got our obligatory error trying to pick off the runner at first. Doesn't cost us a run since we get a line out to right. We are a long way from fielding at 980

 

[OldRed]

We go three up , three down, Lee comes into the 5th and promptly walks the lead off. Do we have to do this? Can't we stay focused a bit longer.

 

[OldRed]

Oakland doubles and scores 2 6-5 Kentucky. They are really getting good contact on Lee. I mean driving it.

 

[OldRed]

Lee doesn't seem to have that fine control, getting pitches up and over the middle. Still we are ahead 6-5.

 

[OldRed]

Kessler still struggling. Grounds out weakly to 2nd to start the bottom of the 5th. Golda gets a walk from Dean, a freshman pitcher for Oakland who has pretty much owned our batters up to this point. Lewis singles nicely up the middle. Estep pops up in the infield. Shelby with 2 outs walks. Schultz gets a mistake pitch over the plate that goes a mile over the bullpen in left for a grand slam! 10-5

 

[OldRed]

Collett only gets one run for his HR after getting a reprieve on a popup behind the plate but to the netting. Anu pops up to 2nd so it is now 11-5 Kentucky after 5.

 

[OldRed]

Top of the lineup is getting things done at the plate so far. Shelby, Schultz, and Collett are 6-9 for 7 runs.

 

[OldRed]

Cole Daniels is in to replace Lee in the 6th: strikeout, got Post to foul out, gets a line out that Shelby makes a nice running catch.

 

[OldRed]

Kessler walks, then Golda forces Kessler at 2nd, Lewis gets plunked. Never thought I'd see Lewis batting 300 and Kessler at 057. Estep flies out to fairly deep center field.

 

[OldRed]

Cole Daniels gives up a lead off walk, lineout, followed by a double but Golda threw out the runner rounding third, then a ground out. Onto the bottom of the 7th.

 

[OldRed]

Down in order in the bottom of the 7th: Shelby, Schultz, and Collett against a new left handed pitcher. Shelby's fly out went fence - 3 feet.

 

[OldRed]

For Cole Daniels: strike out looking followed by two walks, and a single. The bases are loaded one out. Daniels pulled for Harper.

 

[OldRed]

Harper gets a deep fly out, runner tags so two outs but 11-6 Kentucky.

Really wild pitch from Harper to advance the runners to 2nd and 3rd. And he walks the next batter to load them up again. Then strikes out the next batter swinging.

Tons of walks and a HBP so we are not helping our ERA.

 

[OldRed]

Bottom of the 8th: Foul out, ground out, then Kessler gets HBP, steals 2nd (after a review - pretty bad miss by the umpire). Calling it a WP so Kessler doesn't get the stolen base. Golda strikes out. The way things have been going, Oakland may catch us in hits albeit with another half inning.

 

[OldRed]

Harper gives up a lead off single. Followed by a strikeout, and a nice fielding play by Zeke Lewis in short right field. Down to the final out. And Harper gets the strikeout. All of the pitchers had periods of good and bad. Control wavered all day. Must have been a great party on campus last night.