Bat Cats Hold Off Miami In 6-4 Win

A night after their six-game winning streak ended in a ten inning loss at Cinncinatti, the Bat Cats (9-6) returned to Cliff Hagan Stadium and their winnings ways in a 6-4 victory over the Miami (OH) Redhawks (3-8).

Kentucky jumped all over Miami early in the bottom of the first inning. Marcus Carson leadoff with a walk and advanced to 3rd thanks to Tristan Pompey's single to right. Zack Reks continued his productive stretch at the plate with a RBI single that scored Carson. Two batters later, Kole Cottam's single added another run. Troy Squires did the same, and the Wildcats ended the frame up 3-0.

In the bottom of the second, with two outs and two aboard, Reks, who finished 2-of-3 with a walk, swatted another single to net his second RBI. Luke Becker joined in the fun with a RBI single to left field to put UK up 5-0.

6'11 righty Sean Hjelle (2-1) took the mound for his fourth start of the season. Hjelle cruised through the first two innings and ran into trouble in the top of the third. A single and a bean ball put two on for Miami. After forcing the first out of the inning, Hjelle gave up a walk and watched the Redhawk's, Ross Haffey loft a two-RBI single to centerfield. Adam Yacek's sacrifice fly cut UK's lead to 5-3. Another beanball and RBI single kept the Hawk's momentum rolling until Hjelle rediscovered his inner cool and recorded a strikeout to end the inning.

Despite the shaky third, Hjelle tossed five solid innings of work. He finished with six K's against three hits and two walks.

Becker's second RBI, a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the fourth. stretched Kentucky's lead to 6-4. He finished the day 1-of-3 at the plate.

Colton Cleary came out the bullpen in relief and ended up closing out the game. Cleary did not allow a hit or run in his four innings on the hill. He also struck out four hitters and did not yield the walk to clinch the save, his second of the campaign.