May 9, 2000
Lexington, Ky. - Western Kentucky's baseball team dropped its third straight game, falling to Kentucky 3-1 Tuesday night at Hagan Stadium. RHP Mark Michael (5-2) picked up the win for the Wildcats, allowing just one run in 7.0 innings. Junior RHP Brian Houdek (1-4) took the loss for the Hilltoppers, allowing two runs on four hits in 6.0 innings worth of work. RHP Joseph Blanton picked up his second save for the Wildcats in the game.
The Hilltoppers got off to a quick start, scoring a run in the first inning. Junior CF Matt Fox led off the game with a walk, and moved to second on RHP/DH Brian Houdek's sacrifice bunt. After a flyout to left by senior LF Jeff Vance, junior RF Tim Cleland singled to center to bring in Fox.
The Wildcats scored a run of their own in the bottom of the first to tie the score. With one out, SS Jeff Meade reached on an infield single, and 1B Aaron McGlone and C John Wilson walked behind him to load the bases. DH Robert Newton then hit a chopper between the mound and the first base line to score Meade.
Kentucky scored again in the bottom of the second to take a 2-1 lead. With two outs, CF Beau Moore reached on a drag bunt. He moved to second on a throwing error by Houdek on a failed pickoff attempt, and moved to third on a wild pitch. Houdek then walked 2B Andy Green, putting runners at first and third. Meade followed the walk with his second single of the game, scoring Moore.
UK added an insurance run in the bottom of the eighth, to take a 3-1 lead. Meade led off the inning with a single to right, and stole second. He moved to third on a ground out to the pitcher by McGlone, and scored on a passed ball by Hilltopper senior C Kevin Clutter.
Cleland led the Hilltoppers at the plate, going 3-for-4 with a run batted in. Meade led the Wildcats, going 3-for-4 with two runs scored.
The Hilltoppers will travel to Richmond, Ky. Wednesday to face Eastern Kentucky at 2 p.m. (CDT).
