After blitzing in-state rivals, Western and Eastern Kentucky, by a combined score of 29-2, the University of Kentucky baseball found itself in one of the purest of showdowns in the national pastime: a pitcher's duel.
UK's Sean Hjelle and Noah Davis of the visiting No. 23 UC-Santa Barbara Gauchos each a dandy Friday evening. The two combined to retire the first 15 batters they faced.
The Cat's Luke Becker broke through in the bottom of the 3rd inning when he smacked a single on a 1-1 count. Becker advanced to third thanks to a sacrifice fly and an infield single.