GODLEY’S 130-PITCH GEM LEADS UT TO SERIES WIN
Wildcats Return to Action Tuesday, Hosting No. 8 Louisville at 6:30 p.m. ET
LEXINGTON, Ky. — Tennessee senior right-hander Zack Godley threw a 130-pitch complete-game shutout, leading the Vols a 5-0 win over No. 13 Kentucky to claim the series rubber match, on Sunday afternoon at Cliff Hagan Stadium.
Kentucky (24-11, 7-8 Southeastern Conference) battled the Vols in a scoreless game through the first five innings, as Tennessee’s Godley handcuffed the Wildcats. UT broke it open in the sixth inning as four straight hitters reached base safely to start the frame, leading to three runs, later chasing UK’s starter with two runs in the eighth.
UK starter Corey Littrell (4-2) suffered the loss, allowing eight hits and five runs in 7.1 innings, walking two and striking out three. Senior Walter Wijas got the final five outs without surrendering a baserunner.
The Wildcats got six hits in the game, with Kyle Barrett, Austin Cousino, J.T. Riddle, Max Kuhn, Matt Reida and Paul McConkey getting singles.
Godley (3-4) picked up the win with nine dominating innings, not allowing a UK run or extra-base hit, scattering six singles and two walks, striking out seven. The senior and member of the 2012 USA Collegiate Baseball National Team, needed 130 pitches for the complete-game gem, tossing 82 strikes.
UK will return to action on Tuesday, hosting No. 8 Louisville at 6:30 p.m. ET at Cliff Hagan Stadium.
Tennessee (16-18, 5-10 SEC) took the lead in the sixth inning as Will Maddox was hit by a 2-2 pitch to leadoff and A.J. Simcox laid down a bunt single on the third base line. Christin Stewart then doubled home the pair to left-centerfield. Pierce Bily singled to rightfield to score Stewart.
The Vols got runs in the eighth, as Stewart drew a walk with one out, scoring on Bily’s double off the wall in leftfield. After Bily surprised Littrell and stole third, Zach Luther scored him with a sacrifice fly.
GAME NOTES: UK dropped to 16-6 in home games … UK is now 19-6 in day games, 6-2 on Sunday’s and 17-7 against right-handed starting pitching … UK suffered its first loss of 2013 wearing black and white uniforms, dropping to 6-1 in 2013 and 20-2 the last two years … UK drops to 6-8 when its opponent scores first … UK trails the all-time series with Tennessee, 161-143, holding a 74-72 edge in games played in Lexington.
Junior lefty Corey Littrell made his ninth weekend start of the year and the 38th start of his career.
Littrell balked for the second time of 2013.
Junior second baseman J.T. Riddle made his team-high 101st consecutive start.
Sophomore Austin Cousino hit No. 3 in the order for the fourth straight game.
With a single in the fourth, Cousino has now reached base safely in 20 of 51 chances as the leadoff hitter.
Cousino stole his 10th bases of the year in the fourth, swiping third.
Junior shortstop Matt Reida singled to leadoff the fifth. He has now reached base safely as the leadoff hitter in 12 of 31 chances.
Junior Paul McConkey laid down his third sacrifice bunt of the year.
Sophomore Max Kuhn stole his sixth base of the year in the fourth inning.
Senior Zac Zellers had his five-game hit streak and 17-game reached safely streak snapped.
Sophomore A.J. Reed had his five-game hitting streak snapped.
