Wildcats Edge Bulldogs 5-4 In 11 Innings In Series Lidlifter

Friday, April 17

Starkville

6:30 PM

Mississippi State

19-19, 0

Kentucky

20-16, 0

Kentucky

Mississippi State

Wildcats Edge Bulldogs 5-4 In 11 Innings In Series Lidlifter

April 17, 2009 | Baseball

Box Score

By: hailstate.com

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STARKVILLE, Miss. - Chris Bisson's two late hits proved large Friday night as the Kentucky Wildcats beat the Mississippi State Bulldogs 5-4 in an 11-inning Southeastern Conference baseball game Friday night at Dudy Noble Field.

Bisson had an RBI-single in the ninth inning, giving the Wildcats a short-lived 3-2 lead. After MSU battled back to tie on a Connor Powers' RBI-single, Bisson delivered the game-winner in the 11th inning with a two-run triple to the right center gap.

The late-inning UK heorics sent a season-best crowd of 6,152 home disappointed. UK rallied from a 2-0 deficit by scoring singles runs in the seventh, eighth and ninth innings to spoil the opening game of the 24th Super Bulldog Weekend presented by Regions Bank.

The teams are now tied for 10th place in the overall conference standings. UK improved to 20-16 overall and 5-11 in league play, while MSU fell to 19-19 and 5-11. The Wildcats actually snapped a seven-game losing streak in league play with Friday night's victory.

It was the Bulldogs' first extra-inning game of the season. UK has now won twice in extra frames, each time winning 5-4 in 11 innings.

"Our kids are trying hard," MSU head coach John Cohen said. "I don't know what else to say...Our guys just aren't ready for this challenge. And that's my responsibility. But we will get there."

The Bulldogs scored twice in the second inning to grab a 2-0 lead. In that at-bat, Russ Sneed led off with an infield hit. After a walk to Scott DeLoach, both he and Sneed advanced on a sacrifice bunt by Jet Butler. A wild pitch scored Sneed. DeLoach came home on a two-out RBI-single by Ryan Powers.

The Wildcats finally broke the scoring ice with a lone run in the seventh inning. In that at-bat, Chris McLendon reached as a hit batsman. Chris Wade advanced McLendon with a sacrifice bunt. A base hit by Kennan Wiley moved McLendon to third base. Marcus Nidiffer reached as a hit batsman, loading the bases. An RBI-ground out by Bryan Rose forced McLendon home with his team's first run.

UK tied the contest when Andy Burns led off the eighth inning with a solo shot to left field - his fifth home run of the season. That home run ended the day for MSU starter Tyler Whitney.

The Wildcats then re-grabbed the lead in the ninth inning. With one out, Nidiffer doubled to the right center gap. Rose reached as a hit batsman and Chad Wright followed with a bloop single to left field, loading the bases.

For MSU, Lee Swindle replaced Paxton Pace on the mound. Swindle got a groundball out before being touched for an RBI-single by Chris Bisson. The Bulldogs did end the inning with center fielder Grant Hogue throwing out a UK base runner on the back end of that play.

The Bulldogs rallied in the home half of the ninth inning. Luke Adkins drew a one-out walk and Grant Hogue reached as a hit batsman. After a strikeout, Connor Powers scored Adkins when he delivered a game-tying single. Hogue was retired at third base on the hit, sending the game into extra innings.

In the UK 11th inning, Gunner Glad drew a leadoff walk. After a strikeout and flyout, Keenan Wiley reached as UK's fifth hit batsman in the contest. Bisson then delivered a 2-1 pitch into the right center gap, easily scoring both Glad and Wiley.

For the Bulldogs, Whitney drew a tough-luck no decision. Whitney was lifted after the leadoff home run in the eighth inning. The junior left-hander allowed five hits and two runs (both earned), with five strikeouts and two walks in seven innings of work.

Pace threw 1-1/3 innings, before giving way to Swindle (1-2), who threw two innings and took the loss. Greg Houston completed the 11th inning.

Branden Kapteyn (3-0) threw the final 3-2/3 innings to garner the win. Starting pitcher James Paxton allowed six hits and two run (both earned) over seven innings of work. Tyler Henry followed Paxton and preceded Kapteyn.

MSU finished with 10 hits. Grant Hogue, Jet Butler and Ryan Powers each had two hits. Ryan Powers ran his hit streak to 15 games, while Connor Powers ran his hit steak to 10 games.

UK finished with 11 hits. Bisson had three hits to pace the Wildcats' cause. Chad Wright, Andy Burns and Wiley each had multiple hits.

The Bulldogs and Wildcats resume their series with a 1 p.m. start Saturday. MSU is scheduled to start freshman left-hander Nick Routt (4-2, 3.07 ERA), while UK is scheduled to start senior left-hander Chris Rusin (4-3, 4.53). The series finale is at 1:30 p.m. Sunday.