Taylor Black

NCAA Roundup: WKU evens series with win; EKU sweeps DH from Murray St.; UofL, UK lose; Morehead St. splits DH

College Baseball

Taylor Davis; Morehead St. photo

Recaps and highlights from Saturday Kentucky college baseball action:

  • Freshman right-handed pitcher Justin Hageman posted a complete game to lead Western Kentucky University to a 6-2 win over Florida Atlantic. Hageman improved to 8-4 on the season after surrendering two runs on nine hits in nine innings while striking out four batters and walking one. Junior left fielder Jared Andreoli was 4-5 with two runs scored and one stolen base. Junior second baseman Ivan Hartle was 2-5 with one triple, one RBI and one run scored, and junior shortstop Logan Robbins was 2-4 with two RBI and one run scored. (Box Score)
  • Vanderbilt scored six runs in the first inning to put the game out of reach early and send the University of Kentucky to a 10-3 loss. Freshman left-handed pitcher Corey Littrell took the loss after surrendering seven runs on nine hits in five innings while striking out three batters and walking three. Junior left fielder Chad Wright was 3-5 with two RBI and one run scored. UK loaded the bases on three walks in the ninth inning and plated two runs before senior shortstop Taylor Black flew out to center field to end the game. (Box Score)
  • The University of Louisville finally scored in its series versus Seton Hall but still could not avoid the series sweep after a 4-3 loss in game three. Freshman right-handed pitcher Cole Sturgeon took the loss after surrendering three runs on three hits in two innings. Senior catcher J. J. Ethel was 3-4 with one RBI, and junior shortstop Ryan Wright was 2-5 with one triple, one home run, two RBI and one run scored. Junior right-handed pitcher Travis Tingle pitched five scoreless innings in a start. (Box Score)
  • You can read the BluGrass Baseball recap of the doubleheader split between Eastern Kentucky University and Murray State University here.
  • Despite trailing 8-1 after three innings, Morehead State University rallied for a 10-9 win in game one of a doubleheader versus UT Martin. Junior right-handed pitcher Matthew Robertson earned the win after surrendering two runs on four hits in five innings of relief while striking out four batters and walking one. Junior catcher Taylor Davis was 3-4 with one home run, three RBI and two runs scored. Freshman third baseman Bud Morton was 2-4 with his first home run, three RBI and two runs scored. Redshirt junior right-handed pitcher Josh Schneider pitched two scoreless innings for his first save. (Box Score)
  • In game two of its double-header Morehead St. suffered a 7-6 loss after UT Martin scored a run in the bottom of the eighth inning to end the game, which was scheduled to last seven innings. Redshirt junior right-handed pitcher Schneider took the loss after surrendering two runs on four hits in two innings while striking out three batters and walking none. Junior center fielder Andrew Deeds was 3-5 with two doubles, three RBI and one run scored, and junior right fielder Luke Bainer was 2-3 with one solo home run. (Box Score)
Hitter of the day: C Taylor Davis (Morehead St.)
  • Stats: 4-8, 1 HR, 1 2B, 3 RBI, 4 R, 2 BB
  • Honorable Mention: Jared Andreoli (WKU), Logan Robbins (WKU), Ryan Wright (UofL), J. J. Ethel (UofL), Chad Wright (UofL), Dustin Dunlop (EKU), A. J. Jamison (EKU), Cody Larson (Murray St.), Bud Morton (Morehead St.), Andrew Deeds (Morehead St.), Luke Bainer (Morehead St.)
Pitcher of the day: RHP Justin Hageman (WKU)
  • Stats: 1-0, 9 IP, 9 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 4 SO
  • Honorable Mention: Travis Tingle (UofL), Braden Kapteyn (UK), Stephen Hefler (EKU), Tyler Beers (Murray St.), Matthew Robertson (Morehead St.)

UK earns first season sweep of UofL since 2006 with 7-1 win

College Baseball

Braden Kapteyn; Photo: UK Athletics

The University of Kentucky scored three runs in the first inning and rode a strong start from sophomore right-handed pitcher Jordan Cooper to a 7-1 win over the University of Louisville. Cooper earned his third win of the season after surrendering one unearned run on five hits in six and two-third innings while striking out five batters and walking three. The Cats batted around in the first inning with senior shortstop Taylor Black, freshman right fielder J. T. Riddle and junior catcher Michael Williams tallying RBI in the inning.

UofL redshirt sophomore right-handed pitcher Mike Nastold took the loss in his first start since being demoted from the weekend rotation. Nastold surrendered four runs on five hits in two innings while walking two batters and striking out none. The UofL offense did not tally a hit until the fifth inning and plated its only run in the seventh inning after tallying three infield hits in the frame. UofL freshman first baseman Ryan Seiz was the only UofL batter with multiple hits and finished the game 2-3 with one walk and one run scored.

UK junior designated hitter Braden Kapteyn was 3-4 with one home run, one RBI and two runs scored. Sophomore first baseman Luke Maile slugged his team-high seventh home run of the season in the sixth inning. Junior left fielder Chad Wright was 3-5 with two runs scored and one RBI. Cooper was making his fourth career start against UofL and has surrendered just one earned run in 19 and two-third innings against the Cards. (Box Score)

NCAA roundup: WKU beats UK; UofL, EKU, Murray St. lose

College Baseball

Recaps and highlights from Tuesday Kentucky college baseball action:

  • You can read the recap of Western Kentucky University‘s 11-8 win over the University of Kentucky here.
  • The University of Louisville outhit Indiana 9-7 but still dropped its sixth consecutive game with a 5-3 loss. Freshman right-handed pitcher Chad Green took the loss after surrendering two runs on one hit in two and one-third innings. Junior infielder Ryan Wright and redshirt junior right fielder Stewart Ijames were both 2-4. Freshman outfielder Cole Sturgeon and sophomore third baseman Cade Stallings tallied the only RBI for UofL. Freshman right-handed pitcher Jeff Thompson pitched three scoreless innings in the start. (Box Score)
  • Evansville scored seven runs in the first two innings to send Murray State University to an 8-3 loss. Freshman right-handed pitcher Tyler Saltsman took the loss after surrendering seven runs on seven hits in one-plus inning. Junior catcher Jacob Rhodes was 3-4 with two RBI, and freshman second baseman Wes Warren was 2-3. Junior first baseman Cody Larson slugged his second home run of the season. The Murray St. bullpen surrendered just one unearned run over the final eight innings. (Box Score)
  • Eastern Kentucky University snapped its four-game winning streak with a 4-2 loss to Marshall. Sophomore right-handed pitcher Anthony Bazzani took the loss after surrendering two runs on two hits in two-thirds of an inning. Junior right fielder Michael Garcia was 2-3 with one walk and one RBI and was the only Colonel with multiple hits in the game. Freshman right-handed pitcher Blake Bottoms surrendered three hits in three innings in his first collegiate start. (Box Score)
Hitter of the day: C Matt Rice (WKU)
  • Stats: 4-5, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 4 R
  • Honorable Mention: Kes Carter (WKU), Logan Robbins (WKU), Ryan Wright (UofL), Stewart Ijames (UofL), Taylor Black (UK), Luke Maile (UK), Jacob Rhodes (Murray St.), Michael Garcia (EKU)
Pitcher of the day: RHP Jordan Cooper (UK)
  • Stats: 6 IP, 8 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 8 SO
  • Honorable Mention: Ross Hammonds (WKU), Jeff Thompson (UofL), Bryan Babin (Murray St.), Blake Bottoms (EKU)

WKU rallies from six-run deficit to earn 11-8 win over UK

College Baseball

Matt Rice bats for WKU: BluGrass Baseball photo

Western Kentucky University rallied from an 8-2 deficit with an eight-run seventh inning to earn an 11-8 win over the University of Kentucky. The Hilltoppers appeared on their way to a loss in the in-state rivalry game until the seventh when senior catcher Matt Rice tripled to to start the rally. Junior center fielder Kes Carter singled to drive in the first run in the frame then scored on senior designated hitter Chris Bullard‘s triple. Senior third baseman Casey Dykes doubled home Bullard then scored on a single from junior shortstop Logan Robbins to tie the game.

Carter gave WKU the lead with a two-run single that scored Robbins and junior left fielder Jared Andreoli. Junior right fielder Ryan Hutchinson finished the rally with a RBI-single that scored Rice for the second time in the inning. Rice finished the game 4-5 with one home run, one RBI and four runs scored. His third-inning infield single made him the WKU career hits leader, and his fifth-inning home run tied the WKU career RBI record. Carter was 3-4 with three RBI and one run scored. Bullard also slugged a home run.

UK had its own eight-run inning in the fourth to take an 8-2 lead, but its bullpen could not hold the lead. Senior shortstop Taylor Black and sophomore catcher Luke Maile were both 2-5 with one home run, three RBI and one run scored. Junior third baseman Thomas McCarthy and sophomore center fielder Brian Adams each tallied three hits. UK loaded the bases in the ninth inning, but junior catcher Michael Williams grounded out to end the game.

WKU junior right-handed pitcher Ross Hammonds earned the win after surrendering three hits over three scoreless innings to close out the game. UK freshman right-handed pitcher Trevor Gott took the loss after surrendering four runs on two hits in one-third of an inning. UK wasted a quality start from sophomore right-handed pitcher Jordan Cooper, who surrendered three runs on eight hits in six innings while striking out eight batters and walking two. (Box Score)

BluGrass Baseball Hitting Leaderboard: April 19

College Baseball

Check out the weekly edition of the college baseball leaderboard below. We’ll look at batting statistics today, remembering that players must have 2.5 at-bats per team game to be eligible for the batting average, on-base percentage and slugging percentage catergories. Stats are current through Sunday’s games.

Batting Average

  • Brandon Elliott — Murray St. — .425 (46-106)
  • Richie Rodriguez — EKU — .407 (57-142)
  • Taylor Davis — Morehead St. — .378 (42-111)
  • Kes Carter — WKU — .378 (51-135)
  • Jacob Daniel — WKU — .375 (48-128)

Home Runs

  • Taylor Davis — Morehead St. — 10
  • Stewart Ijames — UofL — 8
  • Jacob Daniel — EKU — 8
  • Matt Rice — WKU — 7
  • Bryan Soloman — EKU — 7

RBI

  • Matt Rice — WKU — 44
  • Braden Kapteyn — UK – 38
  • Jacob Daniel — EKU — 36
  • Justin Riddell — Cincinnati (Lexington Catholic) — 33
  • Zach Noonan — Murray St. — 32
  • Taylor Davis — Morehead St. — 32

Runs

  • Jared Andreoli — WKU — 34
  • Matt Rice — WKU — 34
  • Kes Carter — WKU — 34
  • Braden Kapteyn — UK — 33
  • Taylor Black — UK — 32
  • Ivan Hartle — WKU — 32

Stolen Bases

  • Logan Robbins — WKU — 14/16
  • Richie Rodriguez — EKU — 14/16
  • Chad Wright — UK — 13/17
  • Jared Andreoli — WKU — 12/16
  • Taylor Black — UK — 10/13

On-Base Percentage

  • Brandon Elliott — Murray St. — .496
  • Taylor Davis — Morehead St. — .489
  • Richie Rodriguez — EKU — .472
  • Kes Carter — WKU — .472
  • Jacob Daniel — EKU — .455

Slugging Percentage

  • Taylor Davis — Morehead St. — .739
  • Andrew Deeds — Morehead St. — .637
  • Jacob Daniel — EKU — .617
  • Kes Carter — WKU — .600
  • Stewart Ijames — UofL — .582

Carter, Hefler and Hageman win Week Nine NCAA awards

College Baseball

Kes Carter; WKU photo

During a week when Kentucky DI teams went just 8-15 and accumulated just three wins against teams outside the state, there were still plenty of standout individual performances. Check out the week nine award winners below:

Hitter of the week: OF Kes Carter (WKU)

  • Stats: 10-22 (.455), 2 HR, 11 RBI, 6 R, 2 BB, 1 SB
  • Honorable Mention: Matt Rice (WKU), Stewart Ijames (UofL), Taylor Black (UK), Zach Noonan (Murray St.), A. J. Jamison (EKU), Jacob Daniel (EKU), Bryan Soloman (EKU), Taylor Davis (Morehead St.)
Pitcher of the week: RHP Stephen Hefler (EKU)
  • Stats: 1-0, 8.2 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 4 BB, 8 SO
  • Honorable Mention: Tanner Perkins (WKU), Justin Hageman (WKU), Brian Edelen (WKU), Justin Amlung (UofL), Jordan Cooper (UK), Alex Meyer (UK), Jake Donze (Murray St.), Kyle McGrath (EKU), Matt Harris (EKU), Trey Smith (Morehead St.)
Freshman of the week: RHP Justin Hageman (WKU)
  • Stats: 1-0, 8 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 8 SO
  • Honorable Mention: Ty Young (UofL), Trevor Gott (UK), Ty Stetson (Murray St.), Bryan Soloman (EKU), Kyle McGrath (EKU), Noah Smallwood (EKU)

NCAA roundup: EKU defeats Morehead St.; UofL, WKU, UK, Murray St. all lose; UK drops 12th straight SEC game

College Baseball

Recaps and highlights from Sunday Kentucky college baseball action:

  • Western Kentucky University senior catcher Matt Rice tied the school career hits record but the Hilltoppers still fell 4-3 to Arkansas St. in the finale of a three-game series. Sophomore right-handed pitcher Taylor Haydel took the loss after surrendering one run on two hits in one inning of work. Junior left fielder Jared Andreoli was 4-6 in the game, and sophomore first baseman Ryan Huck was 3-4. Redshirt senior right-handed pitcher Brian Edelen took a no decision after surrendering one run on three hits in six and one-third innings. (Box Score)
  • The University of Louisville could not prevent a series sweep of by St. John’s with a 7-2 loss in the series finale. Redshirt sophomore right-handed pitcher Mike Nastold took the loss after surrendering four runs on three hits in one inning. Redshirt junior right fielder Stewart Ijames was 2-3 with one home run, two RBI and one run scored. The UofL bullpen surrendered three runs in seven innings of work. (Box Score)
  • The University of Kentucky dropped its 12th consecutive Southeaster Conference game with a 6-5 loss to Ole Miss. UK led 5-3 after six innings, but Mississippi scored three runs in the seventh inning to secure the series sweep. Junior designated hitter and right-handed pitcher Braden Kapteyn took the loss after surrendering three runs on two hits in two-thirds on an inning but was 1-3 with one home run, two RBI, one run scored and two walks at the plate. Senior shortstop Taylor Black was 3-5 with one RBI and one run scored. (Box Score)
  • Murray State University could not avoid the series sweep with a 15-4 loss to SIU Edwardsville. Freshman right-handed pitcher Cameron Finch took the loss after surrendering six runs on eight hits in five innings. Junior second baseman Travis Isaak was 3-5 with two runs scored, and senior right fielder Zach Noonan was 3-5 with one RBI and one run scored. Freshman left fielder Ty Stetson was 2-5 with one RBI and one run scored. (Box Score)
  • Eastern Kentucky University finish its series sweep of Morehead State University with a 5-0 win in the finale. Senior right-handed pitcher Stephen Hefler earned the win after surrendering four hits in eight and two-third innings while striking out eight batters and walking four. EKU junior left fielder Jacob Daniel slugged his eighth home run of the season, and junior right fielder Michael Garcia was 2-3 with two home runs, three RBI and two runs scored. Morehead St. freshman left-handed pitcher Noah Smallwood took the loss after surrendering three runs on five hits in five and two-third innings. (Box Score)
Hitter of the day: RF Michael Garcia (EKU)
  • Stats: 2-3, 2 HR, 3 RBI, 2 R, 1 BB
  • Honorable Mention: Jared Andreoli (WKU), Ryan Huck (WKU), Stewart Ijames (UofL), Taylor Black (UK), Travis Isaak (Murray St.), Zach Noonan (Murray St.), Jacob Daniel (EKU),
Pitcher of the day: RHP Stephen Hefler (EKU)
  • Stats: 1-0. 8.2 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 4 BB, 8 SO
  • Honorable Mention: Brian Edelen (WKU), Taylor Black (UK), Noah Smallwood (Morehead St.)

NCAA roundup: WKU wins two; UofL, UK lose; Murray St. swept in DH; EKU sweeps DH from Morehead St.

College Baseball

Recaps and highlights from Saturday Kentucky college baseball action:

  • Western Kentucky University and Arkansas St. combined for just two runs in the first 12 innings of their series opener played Friday, but the two teams each scored in the first inning after the game resumed Saturday. WKU scored two runs in the bottom of the 13th inning to earn a 3-2 win. Senior third baseman Casey Dykes, sophomore first baseman Ryan Huck and junior left fielder Jared Andreoli singled to load the bases, and then junior second baseman Ivan Hartle gave WKU the win with a two-run single. Sophomore right-handed pitcher Taylor Haydel was credited with the win. (Box Score)
  • WKU had no trouble scored in the second game of its three-game series versus Arkansas St. with a 13-2 win to clinch the series victory. Junior center fielder Kes Carter was 4-5 with one home run, and two runs scored. Andreoli, senior catcher Matt Rice and junior right fielder Ryan Hutchinson each had three hits in five at-bats. Freshman right-handed pitcher Justin Hageman earned the win after surrendering two runs, one of which was earned, on four hits in eight innings while striking out eight batters and walking one. (Box Score)
  • The University of Louisville suffered its first series loss in Big East Conference play with a 6-5 walk-off loss to St. Johns. The Cards blew a three-run lead late in the game but appeared on their way to a win after scoring two runs in the top of the ninth inning. St. Johns rallied for three runs in the bottom of the inning off UofL junior closer Tony Zych to clinch the series victory. Zych fell to 0-2 on the season, and UofL wasted a strong start from redshirt sophomore right-handed pitcher Justin Amlung, who did not surrender a hit through the first six innings. Junior shortstop Ryan Wright was 3-4 with two RBI and one run scored. (Box Score)
  • The University of Kentucky scored seven unanswered runs and loaded the bases in the ninth inning but could not finish the comeback in a 12-10 loss to Ole Miss, the Cats’ 11th consecutive Southeastern Conference loss. Freshman left-handed pitcher Corey Littrell took the loss after surrendering nine runs, five of which were earned, on eight hits in three and one-third innings. Senior shortstop Taylor Black and junior first baseman Braden Kapteyn both tallied two hits and three RBI in the game, and sophomore center fielder Brian Adams was 2-3 with one home run, one RBI and three runs scored. (Box Score)
  • Murray State University was blown out 17-7 by SIU Edwardsville in game one of a double-header. Junior left-handed pitcher Bryan Babin took the loss after surrendering eight runs on 10 hits in four innings while striking out two batters and walking two. Senior center fielder Elliot Frey was 2-4 with three RBI and two runs scored, and junior second baseman Travis Isaak was 2-4 with three RBI. (Box Score)
  • Murray St. dropped a 4-2 decision in game two after SIU Edwardsville scored two runs in the eighth inning of a game that was scheduled to last just seven innings. Senior left-handed pitcher Jake Donze took the loss after surrendering four runs on six hits in seven innings while striking out two batters and walking none. No Murray St. batter had multiple hits in game two, but freshman left fielder Ty Stetson tallied the team’s only RBI. (Box Score)
  • You can read the BluGrass Baseball recap of Eastern Kentucky University‘s double-header sweep of Morehead State University here.
Hitter of the day: 3B Bryan Soloman (EKU)
  • Stats: 3-7, 2 HR, 6 RBI, 2 R, 1 BB
  • Honorable Mention: Kes Carter (WKU), Jared Andreoli (WKU), Matt Rice (WKU), Ryan Hutchinson (WKU), Ryan Wright (UofL), Brian Adams (UK), Braden Kapteyn (UK), Travis Isaak (Murray St.) Jacob Daniel (EKU), A. J. Jamison (EKU), Taylor Davis (Morehead St)
Pitcher of the day: RHP Justin Hageman (WKU)
  • Stats: 1-0. 8 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 8 SO
  • Honorable Mention: Justin Amlung (UofL), Jake Donze (Murray St.) Matt Harris (EKU), Kyle McGrath (EKU), Trey Smith (Morehead St.)

NCAA roundup: UofL, UK lose; WKU suspended in 13th inn.

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Alex Meyer; UK Athletics Photo

Recaps and highlights from Friday Kentucky college baseball action:

  • The University of Louisville plated just two early runs and had a rare poor weekend start in an 8-2 loss to St. John’s. Sophomore right-handed pitcher Matt Koch took the loss after surrendering eight runs, four of which were earned, on 11 hits in four innings while striking out three batters and walking two. Sophomore first baseman Zak Wasserman was 2-2 with one walk, and freshman center fielder Cole Sturgeon was 2-4 with one run scored. Freshman infielder Ty Young reached base three times, drove in one run and scored once. (Box Score)
  • Western Kentucky University‘s series-opening game versus Arkansas St. was suspended in the top of the 13th inning with a 1-1 tie. The game had been previously delayed for 90 minutes due to rain. Sophomore left-handed pitcher Tanner Perkins pitched well in his start, surrendering one run on six hits in six and two-third innings while striking out five batters and walking three. WKU had just three hits through 12 innings. The game will resume at 3 p.m. Saturday, and game two of the series will begin 30 minutes after the end of game one. (Live Stats)
  • The University of Kentucky dropped its tenth consecutive Southeastern Conference game with a 3-2 loss to Mississippi. The Cats carried a 1-1 tie into the eighth inning, but Ole Miss scored two runs off junior right-handed pitcher Alex Meyer to take 3-1 lead. The Cats scored one run in the ninth inning and put the tying run on second base, but senior shortstop Taylor Black flew out to center field to end the game. Meyer took the loss after surrendering three runs, two of which were earned, in seven-plus innings while striking out seven batters and walking three. Junior catcher Michael Williams was 3-4 with his fourth home run of the season. (Box Score)
Hitter of the day: C Michael Williams (UK)
  • Stats: 3-4, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 1 R
  • Honorable Mention: Zak Wasserman (UofL)
Pitcher of the day: LHP Tanner Perkins (WKU)
  • Stats: 6.2 IP, 6 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 5 SO
  • Honorable Mention: Chad Green (UofL), Alex Meyer (UK)

NCAA roundup: WKU win; Morehead State rained out

College Baseball

Recaps and highlights from Tuesday Kentucky college baseball action:

  • You can read the BluGrass Baseball recap of the University of Kentucky‘s 3-2 win over the University of Louisville here.
  • Western Kentucky University scored eight runs in the fifth inning en route to a 17-6 win over Austin Peay. Junior center fielder Kes Carter was 4-5 with one home run, five RBI and three runs scored, and senior catcher Matt Rice was 4-5 with three RBI and four runs scored. Junior second baseman Ivan Hartle, junior right fielder Ryan Hutchinson and freshman designated hitter Scott Wilcox each had two hits in the game. Sophomore right-handed pitcher Taylor Haydel earned the win after surrendering six runs, two of which were earned, on 11 hits in five innings while striking out six batters and walking one. (Box Score)
  • Morehead State University‘s game versus Marshall was rained out.

Hitter of the day: CF Kes Carter (WKU)

  • Stats: 4-5, 1 HR, 5 RBI, 3 R
  • Honorable Mention: Stewart Ijames (UofL), Matt Rice (WKU), Scott Wilcox (WKU), Chad Wright (UK), Taylor Black (UK)

Pitcher of the day: RHP Jordan Cooper (UK)

  • Stats: 6.1 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 2 SO
  • Honorable Mention: Travis Tingle (UofL), Ross Hammonds (WKU)