Feb. 18, 2007

Box Score

GREENVILLE, S.C. -- Ryan Wilkes delivered a two-out, two-run single in the sixth inning to break open a close game and propel 26th-ranked Kentucky to a 13-4 win over Furman in baseball action Sunday afternoon at Furman Stadium.

The win gave Kentucky (3-0), the defending Southeastern Conference East Division champion, the three-game series sweep over Furman (0-3).

Wilkes' line drive hit to left field off Paladin freshman reliever Marc DeDecker scored Matt McKinney and Sean Coughlin, giving the Wildcats a 5-2 lead. Kentucky blew the game open in the seventh, scoring five runs, highlighted by Coughlin's two-run home run to right field and a two-run double by Sawyer Carroll.

Furman out-hit Kentucky 11-10, but the efficient Wildcat offense stranded only two runners in the contest while the Paladins left 10 on base.

Kentucky starting pitcher Greg Dombrowski (1-0) picked up the win after working six innings and allowing eight hits and only two runs. He struck out four and did not walk a batter.

Furman starter Mason Smith (0-1) absorbed the loss. After a shaky first inning that saw him surrender a pair of runs, including two walks and a hit batsman, Smith settled down to retire 13 of 14 Wildcat hitters until running into two-out trouble in the sixth inning. After issuing a walk, two singles, and a run with two outs, he was lifted in favor of DeDecker, who then surrendered the key two-out, two-run single to Wilkes.

Furman was paced at the plate by Joe Daysh, who went 3-for-4 and scored a pair of runs, and Joey Rodgers, who went 3-for-4 out of the leadoff slot. Tony Maccani belted a two-run home run in the fourth inning to tie the game at 2-2 until Kentucky retook the advantage with a three-run sixth.

Antone DeJesus, Carroll, and Coughlin led Kentucky's attack with two-hits each, and Brock Wright delivered a pinch-hit home run in the ninth.

Furman returns to action on Tuesday when it entertains Charlotte in a 5:00 p.m. contest.