Braden Kapteyn; Photo: UK Athletics

The University of Kentucky couldn’t silence the powerful College of Charleston offense in an 11-6, season-opening loss to the No. 20 Cougars. UK jumped out to a 3-1 lead on a three-run home run from junior first baseman Braden Kapteyn in the top of the third inning, but College of Charleston answered with four runs in the bottom of the inning to retake the lead. UK tied the game again in the sixth inning with two runs, but the Cougars put the game out of reach with five runs in the bottom of the sixth. Paul Laurence Dunbar alum Casey Lucchese pitched a scoreless ninth inning to close out the game for College of Charleston.

UK freshman left-handed pitcher Corey Littrell took the loss after surrendering five runs on five hits in two and one-third innings pitched. Littrell was effective for his first two innings out of the UK bullpen but imploded in the sixth, surrendering five runs while only recording one out. UK sophomore right-handed pitcher Jordan Cooper struggled in his first start of the season, surrendering five runs on six hits in three innings pitched. At the plate junior designated hitter Michael Williams was 2-3 with two RBI and a walk. Freshman center fielder Lucas Witt was 1-3 with one RBI in his collegiate debut. (Box Score)