Posted on Wed, May. 07, 2008

KENTUCKY 21, WRIGHT STATE 3

Cats' bats unstoppable against Raiders

SPECIAL TO THE HERALD-LEADER

Senior second baseman Ryan Wilkes homered from both sides of the plate, finishing 5-for-6 with a career-high eight RBI, as the No. 22 Kentucky Wildcats pummeled the Wright State Raiders 21-3, with a season-high 23 hits Tuesday at Cliff Hagan Stadium.

Wilkes hit homers seven and eight on the year from the left and right sides of the plate, using different bats with each homer. On the year, Wilkes is batting .385, with 10 doubles, eight homers and 30 RBI.

Kentucky (35-14) finished the 2008 home non-conference schedule unblemished, going 18-0 in non-conference play at Cliff Hagan Stadium.

The Wildcats have one non-conference game left in 2008, a road game against Murray State. In Tuesday's game, every UK starter got a hit. Third baseman Spencer Korus and freshman outfielder Bryan Rose finished with three hits each.

All-American outfielders Sawyer Carroll and Collin Cowgill each added two hits. Senior Brian Spear hit his eighth homer of the season and had two RBI.

Freshman Kevin Bishop got his first career hit, and freshman catcher Brian Suerdick hit his first career double.

UK starter Clint Tilford (3-0) picked up the win, going five innings, allowing five hits and three runs. The Wildcats' bullpen was perfect, not allowing a hit in the final three innings.

Wright State (24-19) took its second loss in the past seven games.

Wright St. 002 010 000-- 3 5 3

Kentucky 008 102 46x--21 23 1

Ostrosky, Meintel (3), Robinson (4), Ruthven (5), Valencheck (6), Deweese (8), Knapp (8) and Mercer, Mossbarger; Tilford, Green (6), Darnell (8), Kaczmarek (9) and Howe, Suerdick. W--Tilford (3-0). L--Meintel (1-3). 2B--Mote (WS), Rose (UK), Cowgill (UK), Wade (UK), Howe (UK), Suerdick (UK), Korus 2 (UK). HR--Hamilton (WS), Wilkes (UK), Spear (UK).

Records--Wright St. 24-19, Kentucky 35-14.