Former UK baseball player Patrick Patterson throws out the first pitch at the Houston College Classic; UK Athletics photo by Aaron M. Sprecher

Highlights and recaps from Friday Kentucky collegiate baseball action:

• The University of Louisville appeared to be on its way to its third loss in four games but scored two runs in the bottom of the ninth to send the game to extra innings before senior catcher J. J. Ethel drove home the winning run with a RBI-double in the 11th inning. Freshman infielder Ty Young singled with one out in the ninth inning then moved to second base when Ethel was hit by a pitch. Freshman pinch hitter Ryan Seiz drove home the first run of the inning on a single, and senior left fielder Drew Haynes drove home the tying run with a ground out. In the 11th inning Ethel doubled home Young to give UofL the win. Junior right-handed pitcher Derek Self earned the win after surrendering one run in three innings, and sophomore starting pitcher Matt Koch took a no decision despite surrendering just one run on five hits in eight innings. (Box Score)
• Western Kentucky University dropped its fourth straight game after starting the season 5-0 with a 7-5 loss to College of Charleston in the first game of the school’s invitational tournament. WKU sophomore left-handed pitcher Tanner Perkins suffered his first loss of the season after surrendering seven runs, four of which were earned, on eight hits in four and one-third innings while striking out three batters and walking none. Five different Hilltoppers’ batters tallied two hits in the game with sophomore shortstop Logan Robbins leading the offensive attack. Robbins was 2-3 with one run scored, one RBI, one walk and one stolen base. (Box Score)
• A late rally from the University of Kentucky fell just short in an 8-7 loss to No. 21 Rice in the opening game of the Houston College Classic at Minute Maid Park. The Cats trailed by three runs entering the eighth inning but scored twice in the frame on a wild pitch and sacrifice fly from sophomore catcher Luke Maile. Sophomore left-handed pitcher Taylor Rogers took the loss after surrendering six runs on 10 hits in five and two-third innings while striking out three batters and walking one. At the plate junior third baseman Thomas McCarthy led UK with a 3-5 performance. Junior first baseman Braden Kapteyn slugged his second home run of the season and drove in two runs. (Box Score)
• Eastern Kentucky University‘s opening game in the Memphis Baseball Classic was rained out.
• Highlighted by a six-hit, seven-RBI game from senior left fielder Zach Noonan, the Murray State University offense exploded for a 17-7 blowout win over North Dakota State. Noonan finished the game 6-6 with one home run, seven RBI and four runs scored. Junior left-handed pitcher Luke Shuemaker was credited with the win after surrendering six runs on 12 hits in six innings. Shuemaker struck out seven batters and walked one. Junior second baseman Travis Isaak homered and both redshirt freshman designated hitter Ty Stetson and senior center fielder Elliot Frey each drove in three runs. Stetson finished the game 3-5 with three RBI and two runs scored. (Box Score)
• Behind Lexington native Chad Martin Indiana sent Morehead State University to a 6-5 loss in 13 innings. Martin, a PLD alum, took a no decision but surrendered just three unearned runs on five hits in six innings while striking out six batters and walking three. Morehead St. redshirt junior starting pitcher Josh Schneider also pitched well in a no decision, surrendering three runs, one of which was earned, on four hits in seven innings while striking out four batters and walking one. At the plate junior center fielder Andrew Deeds was 2-4 with one double, one triple and one run scored to lead the Eagles. Morehead St. junior right-handed pitcher Matthew Robertson took the loss after surrendering one run in two-plus innings of work. (Box Score)

Hitter of the day: LF Zach Noonan (Murray St.)

• Stats: 6-6, 1 HR, 3 2Bs, 7 RBI, 4 R
• Honorable Mention: Ty Stetson (Murray St.), Travis Isaak (Murray St.), Elliot Frey (Murray St.), Andrew Deeds (Morehead St.), Ty Young (UofL), Thomas McCarthy (UK), Braden Kapteyn (UK)

Pitcher of the day: RHP Matt Koch (UofL)

• Stats: 8 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 SO
• Honorable Mention: Chad Martin (Indiana, PLD), Derek Self (UofL), Josh Schneider (Morehead St.), Ross Hammonds (WKU)