In his first start of the season, freshman pitcher Chandler Shepherd started against Xavier University Wednesday night at Cliff Hagan Stadium after being on a two-hour rain delay.

The Cats won 9-2 with junior catcher Luke Maile leading the team. Maile went 3-3 with a walk and a career-high  three runs scored, also getting his third homerun of the season. Also, senior Thomas McCarthy hit his second homerun of the season.

Shepherd got the win after pitching five shutout innings; he was relieved by freshman left-hander Sam Maher in the sixth inning. Shepherd allowed two hits and one walk, striking out five batters.

UK got hits from freshman Austin Cousino, who was batting .421. Cousino earned three RBI’s and got two hits, and fellow freshman Thomas Bernal batted .500 with one run, two hits and one RBI. Alongside them were Brian Adams, J.T. Riddle, Paul McConkey and Matt Reida each reaching record hits.

Freshman A.J. Reed drew a game-high two walks and scored a run, with sophomore leftfielder Lucas Witt also getting walked. Cousino led UK with three RBI, with both his hits coming as RBI knocks.

Right-hander Chris Garrison took over in the seventh, tossing one inning with two hits and two runs allowed. Junior right-hander Tim Peterson pitched a shut out eighth inning and freshman Jeff Boehm got two outs in his first career pitching appearance, one by strikeout and Walter Wijas came on to get the final out of the game.

The Cats will be back on the field this weekend as they take on Illinois-Chicago at home in a three game series.

STAFF REPORT