Aggies claim series opener at Kentucky, 5-3

Aggies
Photo credit: Brendan vonBehren

By Thomas D. Dick

LEXINGTON, Ky. — The No. 18 Texas A&M Aggies erased a three-run deficit to claim the series opener over the Kentucky Wildcats, 5-3, Friday evening at Kentucky Proud Park.

Braden Shewmake keyed the comeback, batting 3-for-5 with two runs, one home run and three RBI. Shewmake hit the game-tying home run in the fifth inning and the go-ahead single in the seventh. Mikey Hoehner was 2-for-3 with one walk. Bryce Blaum was 1-for-4 with one hit-by-pitch, two runs and one double.

Aggies starter John Doxakis labored through 5.0 innings, yielding three runs on seven hits and one walk while striking out five. Bryce Miller (3-0) scattered one hit and one walk while striking out two in 1.0 scoreless inning to earn the win. Joseph Menefee worked 2.0 blank frames, allowing one hit while striking out three. Kasey Kalich picked up his sixth save of the season with two strikeouts in the ninth.

The second game of the series is set for 1:02 p.m. Central.