Game 1 Box Score (.pdf)
Game 2 Box Score (.pdf)
Lexington, Ky. – The University of Kentucky swept USC Upstate in a non-conference doubleheader on Saturday at Cliff Hagan Stadium, defeating the Spartans 3-0 in the opener and 3-1 in the nightcap.
Kentucky improves to 12-3 on the season while Upstate drops to 8-9.
The Spartans will play No. 16 South Carolina at Fluor Field in Greenville on Tuesday at 7 p.m.
Game 1 - Kentucky 3, USC Upstate 0
Kentucky scored a run in the first, second and fifth innings as the Spartans were shut out for the first time this season.
The Wildcats got on the board in the first inning as Wilson led off with a double, advanced to third on a groundout and scored on a Riley Mahan groundout to second base. Tyler Marshall gave the Wildcats a 2-0 lead in the second inning with a solo home run.
Upstate had runners at first and second with two outs in the third and fourth innings but had the threat ended by a flyout and a fielder's choice. The Wildcats added a run in the fifth inning on a Gunnar McNeil single. Evan White reached on a one out single, moved to second on a wild pitch and advanced to third on a Mahan base hit. McNiel singled to right field to score White, but was thrown out try to advance to second. The inning ended with a groundout to second base.
After a groundout opened the Upstate eighth, J.J. Shimko lined a double to right field for his third hit of the game. Kentucky starter Dustin Beggs got a foulout before being lifted for Bo Wilson. Charlie Carpenter worked a walk after an eight pitch at-bat, but the Spartan threat ended with a fielder's choice.
Jake Beaver led off the ninth inning with a walk and advanced to second on a Zach Krider single with one out. Kentucky closer Sean Hjelle got a strikeout followed by a groundout to end the game.
Shimko led the Spartans at the plate, going 3-for-4 with two singles and a double. Zach Krider went 2-for-4 with two singles. James Fowkles and Jaden Savage each went 1-for-4 with a single.
Marshall went 2-for-4 with a single, home run and RBI to lead the Wildcats. McNeill went 2-for-4 with two singles and an RBI. Mahan, White, Storm Wilson and Marcus Carson each had a single.
Upstate left nine runners on base while Kentucky stranded eight runners.
Beggs improved to 4-0, allowing six hits with one walk and seven strikeouts in 7.2 innings. Eric Birklund (0-1) took the loss, allowing three runs on eight hits with three walks and two strikeouts in 5.2 innings. Hjelle earned his third save of the season and second of the series with a walk, hit and two strikeouts in an inning of work.
Game 2 - Kentucky 3, USC Upstate 1
The Wildcats scored all of their runs in the first three innings while limiting the Spartans to five hits.
Kentucky got on the board in the first inning on a two-run home run by McNeill with two outs. The Wildcats added a run on a sacrifice fly in the third inning.
Beaver led off the Spartan fifth inning with a walk, advanced to second on a groundout and scored on a Wildcat error. Upstate had two batters reach the rest of the game, both on singles with two outs in the sixth and seventh innings.
Upstate didn't go down without a fight in the ninth. After a strikeout began the inning, Beaver and Jordan Ford singled to put the tying runs on base before a double play ended the game.
Beaver went 1-for-3 with a run scored while Fowlkes, Ford, Fickas and Brendan Brundage each had a hit. McNeill went 1-for-2 with a home run and three RBI while Wilson went 2-for-4 with a single and double.
Kyle Cody (2-1) earned the win as he allowed an unearned run on two hits with three walks and seven strikeouts in 6.0 innings. Justin Lewis earned his second save of the year with 1/3 of an inning pitched. Carpenter (0-1) took the loss in his first start, allowing three runs on four hits. Richie Lacell allowed three hits with four strikeouts in five innings of relief.
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