In the first matchup of Kentucky ranked teams this season, No. 13 University of Louisville held off a late rally from No. 19 Western Kentucky University to earn a 7-6 victory. The Cards scored two runs in the eighth inning to take a 6-4 lead. WKU added single runs in the eighth and ninth, but a ninth-inning home run from UofL redshirt sophomore right fielder Stewart Ijames ended up being the decisive run.

Ijames was 3-5 in the game, and senior shortstop Adam Duvall and senior first baseman Andrew Clark both tallied two hits and two RBI. Clark and junior designated hitter J. J. Ethel both homered in the game. Sophomore right-handed pitcher Derek Self earned the win after giving up one run in two and two-third innings of relief.

WKU sophomore center fielder Kes Carter was 2-5 with two RBI and a run scored, and junior left fielder Kori Petri tallied two hits and a home run. Five different Hilltoppers recorded at least two hits in the game. WKU redshirt sophomore right-handed closer Rye Davis took his first loss of the season after allowing two runs in one inning. (Box Score)

BluGrass Baseball POG: Stewart Ijames — Ijames was 3-5 with a home run, one RBI and one run scored for the Cards. The redshirt sophomore outfielder’s ninth-inning solo home run ended up being the decisive run in the game. On the season, Ijames is batting .327 with four home runs and 27 RBI.