J. T. Riddle; BluGrass Baseball photo

Recaps and highlights from Sunday Kentucky college baseball action:

• The University of Louisville‘s offense continued to struggle in a 4-1 loss to Xavier that gave Musketeers the series win. UofL redshirt sophomore right-handed pitcher Mike Nastold took the loss after surrendering three runs on five hits in three and two-third innings while striking out three batters and walking three. Freshman center fielder Cole Sturgeon was 2-4 in the leadoff spot for the Cards, and redshirt junior right fielder Stewart Ijames was 2-5 with one RBI. Junior right-handed reliever Derek Self kept UofL in the game by surrendering just one hit in four scoreless innings and striking out five batters while walking one. (Box Score)
• Western Kentucky University used a five-run fifth inning and a strong pitching performance from new weekend starting pitcher Brian Edelen to earn a 5-4 win and secure a series sweep of Middle Tennessee to begin Sun Belt Conference play. Redshirt senior right-handed pitcher Edelen earned the win after surrendering one unearned run in six innings while striking out three batters and walking none. Junior second baseman Ivan Hartle was 3-4 with three RBI, and junior left fielder Jared Andreoli was 2-4 with one RBI, one run scored and one stolen base. (Box Score)
• The University of Kentucky used a four-run first inning to jump out to an early lead en route to a 7-3 win over Tennessee to clinch the team’s first Southeastern Conference series of the season. Freshman right fielder J. T. Riddle slugged a three-run home run in the first inning, and junior first baseman Braden Kapteyn finished the game 2-5 with two RBI and two runs scored. Sophomore left-handed pitcher Taylor Rogers earned the win after surrendering three runs on eight hits in five innings while striking out two batters and walking none. Senior designated hitter Mike Kaczmarek was 4-4 at the plate and recorded the final four outs of the game on the mound to earn his fourth save. (Box Score)
• Murray State University scored 10 runs and tallied 13 hits but could not avoid a 14-10 loss that secured a series sweep for Georgia State. Junior left-handed pitcher Luke Shuemaker took the loss after surrendering seven runs, five of which were earned, on six hits in five innings. Six different Murray St. batters recorded two hits in the game, led by senior right fielder Zach Noonan, who was 2-4 with two RBI and three runs scored. Junior second baseman Travis Isaak, freshman third baseman Wes Warren and senior center fielder Elliot Frey each tallied two hits and two RBI in the game. (Box Score)
• Eastern Kentucky University‘s road woes continued with a 14-5 loss to Indiana St. that dropped the Colonels to 0-9 on the road this season. Senior right-handed pitcher Stephen Hefler took the loss after surrendering six runs, four of which were earned, on six hits in six innings. Junior shortstop Richie Rodriguez led the offense and finished the game 3-3 with two runs scored. Junior left fielder Jacob Daniel, senior center fielder Ryan Faidley and freshman catcher Sean Hagen each tallied two hits in the game. (Box Score)
• Morehead State University sophomore left-handed pitcher Garrick Whittle made his first start since opening weekend but that wasn’t enough to prevent an 11-4 loss to Miami (OH). Whittle took the loss after surrendering seven runs on six hits in three and one-third innings. Senior first baseman Michael Fear was 2-4 with one RBI, and senior second baseman Travis Redmon was 2-5 with one run scored. (Box Score)

Hitter of the day: RF J. T. Riddle (UK)

• Stats: 1-2, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 1 R, 1 BB, 1 HBP
• Honorable Mention: Cole Sturgeon (UofL), Braden Kapteyn (UK), Mike Kaczmarek (UK), Jared Andreoli (WKU), Ivan Hartle (WKU), Zach Noonan (Murray St.), Travis Isaak (Murray St.), Richie Rodriguez (EKU), Ryan Faidley (EKU), Michael Fear (Morehead St.)

Pitcher of the day: RHP Brian Edelen (WKU)

• Stats: 1-0, 6 IP, 6 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 SO
• Honorable Mention: Derek Self (UofL), Taylor Rogers (UK), Trevor Gott (UK)