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MOREHEAD, Ky. -- The Morehead State baseball team lost their 2011 home opener against non-conference opponent and in-state foe Kentucky, 12-3, Tuesday at Allen FIeld.
The WIldcats (1-3) struck first, scoring three runs in the first inning, and never relinquished the lead. They added one run in the sixth, three in the seventh and four in the eighth inning.
The Eagles (0-4) scored two runs in the second inning against UK starter Jonathan Paquet as second baseman Travis Redmon reached base on a single to the shortstop. Redmon proceeded to steal second and was driven home by senior Daniel Pugh's triple into the right-field corner. Catcher Taylor Davis then drove in Pugh with a double to deep centerfield.
Three MSU batters recorded two hits during the game, Davis, Nick Duff and Luke Bainer respectively. Kellen Begeman joined Taylor and Pugh in driving in the only runs for the Eagles. Begeman's RBI came in the eighth inning as he drove a single into left-centerfield as a pinch hitter for shortstop Austin Haney.
Sophomore Cody Gibson took the loss for the Eagles, his first of the season, giving up seven hits and allowing two earned runs. MSU reached deep into the bullpen using seven different pitchers on the day. Left-handed pitcher Noah Smallwood closed out the ninth and struck out two WIldcat batters.
Paquet started the game for the Wildcats, and he pitched three innings allowing only two runs before being relieved by Walter Wijas whose 3.2 scoreless innings earned him the win. He also led UK pitchers in strikeouts with three.
Centerfielder Chad Wright led UK batters with three RBI and tied two other batters each with two hits apiece.
The MSU baseball team returns to Allen Field for a four-game series against Big Ten opponent Purdue Boilermakers beginning this Friday at 3 p.m.
