Post by Sandman on Mar 3, 2018 6:25:47 GMT -5
Senior outfielder Luke Heyer hit two of Kentucky's four home runs Friday as the No. 6 Wildcats opened the Shriners College Classic with a 14-2 win over No. 19 Houston at Minute Maid Park.
The game was called after seven innings due to the event's "mercy rule."
Playing without its best offensive player, All-American outfielder Tristan Pompey, who is nursing a sprained ankle, Kentucky (9-1) still managed to pound out eight extra-base hits in the opener.
In addition to Heyer's team-leading fifth and sixth home runs of the young season, Kole Cottam and Ryan Johnson also went deep for the Wildcats.
Ben Aklinski had a bases-loaded double and drove in four runs, and Luke Becker added two RBI for UK.
It was more than enough run support for the Cats' ace, Sean Hjelle (3-0), who allowed only one earned run on six hits and one walk over six innings on the mound. It marked the junior right-hander's 18th career win, moving him into 11th place on UK's all-time list.
The 6-foot-11 Hjelle, last year's SEC Pitcher of the Year, lowered his season ERA to 0.92.
kentucky.rivals.com/news/recap-kentucky-wildcats-vs-houston-cougars
The game was called after seven innings due to the event's "mercy rule."
Playing without its best offensive player, All-American outfielder Tristan Pompey, who is nursing a sprained ankle, Kentucky (9-1) still managed to pound out eight extra-base hits in the opener.
In addition to Heyer's team-leading fifth and sixth home runs of the young season, Kole Cottam and Ryan Johnson also went deep for the Wildcats.
Ben Aklinski had a bases-loaded double and drove in four runs, and Luke Becker added two RBI for UK.
It was more than enough run support for the Cats' ace, Sean Hjelle (3-0), who allowed only one earned run on six hits and one walk over six innings on the mound. It marked the junior right-hander's 18th career win, moving him into 11th place on UK's all-time list.
The 6-foot-11 Hjelle, last year's SEC Pitcher of the Year, lowered his season ERA to 0.92.
kentucky.rivals.com/news/recap-kentucky-wildcats-vs-houston-cougars