Battle In The Bluegrass State: Marshall-Kentucky Baseball

Tuesday afternoon saw Marshall Baseball (11-14) return to action against the Wildcats of Kentucky (16-9). The Herd traveled to Lexington, KY, to take on the Wildcats at Cliff Hagan Stadium to resume non-conference play.

Troubles started for the Herd early on in the contest as Chris Wade was able to reach first base on a wild pitch after striking out. The bad start would continue as Wade was able to steal second base and Chris McClendon was walked. Gunner Glad was able to get the Wildcats onto the board with a two-out two-run single to centerfield.

Catcher Kevin Shackelford was able to help the Herd out of their jam as a quick throw to second baseman Adam Yeager thwarted Glad's stolen base attempt.

Victor Gomez started the Herd response in the top of the second inning with a single to right field and was able to advance to second base on the error. However, Gomez would be caught trying to come around for the score on a fly ball to left field and the Wildcats were able to close out the half of the inning.

During the third frame, the Wildcats looked poised to extend their lead after an early double and an error by Herd infielders. Despite the early hole the Thundering Herd players found themselves in, they managed to escape the inning without any damage being done.

By the middle innings, the Herd had weathered the storm the Wildcats brought their way, escaping some tough spots early on. As the sixth inning came onto the board, Marshall looked set to mount a rally in the contest. Although the numbers were already against them when it began to come together.

Shortstop Kenny Socorro was walked with one out, getting Marshall runners on base for the first time in three innings. After a second out, Ben Jurevicius was able to reach base after a well placed bunt. Next to bat, Conference USA preseason player of the year, Nate Lape made it on base with another walk to load the bases.

The Herd rally would be cut short as a ground out would prevent any of Marshall's runners from coming around to score.

Marshall would get another chance at the top of the seventh frame when Brandon Casamassima drilled a one-out double to right field and Rhett Stafford was walked with two outs. Kenny Socorro was walked following Stafford to load the bases once more for the Herd. Once more the Herd's rally was foiled by a ground out that helped Kentucky hold their lead.

Neither team was able to advance any further than second base for the remainder of the contest and the Wildcats were able to hold on the lead for the victory. Marshall registered just three hits during the game and Kentucky batters swung for seven hits.

The Herd fell to 11-15 overall with seven games remaining in their road trip. The Kentucky Wildcats move to 17-9 on the season as they get set for their conference series against Ole Miss.

Marshall resumes conference play this weekend in Hattiesburg against Southern Miss.