Marshall University Athletics
Marshall University
Kentucky
Baseball Falls To No. 16 Kentucky, 9-6
5/1/2008 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
May 1, 2008
LEXINGTON, Ky. - Marshall University's Nate Lape highlighted the Thundering Herd's five-run second inning with his 14th home run of the season, but No. 16 Kentucky received a five-RBI performance from Sawyer Carroll to lead the Wildcats to a 9-6 victory in Wednesday night's non-conference baseball game at Cliff Hagan Stadium.
With the loss, Marshall slips to 23-22-1 overall, Kentucky improves to 34-11 on the season.
Herd reliever Justin Moore (3-3), who entered in the fifth inning, suffered the loss while Kentucky reliever Scott Green (5-2), who took the mound in the sixth, earned the victory.
After falling behind early, Kentucky posted runs in the fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth innings, highlighted by a four-run sixth, to complete its 9-6 victory.
Marshall's offensive outpouring came in the second inning when Lape homered to left field to lead off the frame. Victor Gomez singled through the right side and Tommy Johnson singled to center field before Jeff Rowley plated Gomez with the fourth-straight hit of the inning. Rowley and Johnson then executed a double-steal, which brought Kenny Socorro to the plate. Socorro singled up the middle scoring Johnson. The hit chased Wildcat starter Clint Tilford from the game.
Kentucky reliever Logan Darnell allowed Ben Jurevicius to reach on a fielder's choice bunt, scoring Rowley. After a double play, a pair of walks to Brandon Casamassima and Josh Valle brought Lape to the plate for the second time in the frame. Lape was hit by an errant pitch, which sent Socorro trotting home for the Herd's fifth run.
Herd starter Ian Kadish pitched four stellar innings in his fourth start of the year, hurling five strikeouts and allowing just two hits.
Gomez was once again the offensive leader for the Herd, as the freshman notched four of Marshall's 10 hits.
Marshall returns to C-USA action when it hosts a three-game set with No. 28 Southern Miss., beginning Friday, May 2-4. Friday and Saturday's games are scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET starts at Appalachian Power Park.
Marshall will honor its five graduating seniors, right-handed pitchers Adam Dobies and Andrew Hancock, infielder Matt Helm, catcher Tommy Johnson, and left fielder Jeff Rowley with ceremonies to take place 15 minutes prior to Sunday's first pitch. Game-time is slated for 12:00 p.m. ET.
