Darnell dominates Toreros to get UK back on track
Not even 24 hours after surrendering a season-high 12 runs, the UK pitching staff got a much-needed boost Friday, as junior southpaw Logan Darnell twirled a complete-game shutout of San Diego, pacing the Cats to a 6-0 victory.
Darnell (1-0) scattered eight hits, struck out four Toreros and walked only one to earn his first win of the season in his third start. So far, in 21 innings this season, the lefty has struck out 17 and issued just five free passes. He owns a 2.57 ERA.
Darnell's heroics only slightly overshadowed that of teammate Gunner Glad. The redshirt senior, who actually started his career at San Diego State, went 4-5 on the day with a double and two RBI.
Kentucky (8-1) used a big third inning to jump out to a 5-0 lead at Cunningham Stadium on the campus of the University of San Diego. UK took advantage of USD's lone error and a hit batsmen, adding five hits of their own in the frame. Stat of the game? How about San Diego plunking seven UK hitters?
At season's end, there's no doubt that San Diego (now 4-6) will consider this game to be one of their worst. The Toreros had nine baserunners, but none reached on anything other than a walk (one) or a single (eight). A two-out error in the 3rd resulted in a run, and USD pitching was horrendus, surrendering ten hits and giving the Cats ten (seven HBP's, two walks, one error) additional free bases.
However, let it not go unnoticed how important this outing was for Darnell. He was less than impressive last Sunday against Bowling Green, and UK really needed a lift after a bit of a lackluster performance last night against San Diego State. And Darnell delivered. It seems he is settling quite nicely into a starting role after pitching out of the bullpen his first two seasons. While Alex Meyer and Taylor Rogers have gotten a lot of attention lately, Darnell's got a chance to have a very good season.
The CG shutout was the first of Darnell's career and, according the BluGrassBaseball.com, the first in the state of Kentucky so far this season.
Kentucky wraps up its weekend in California with a matchup against Monmouth University. Due to the potential of rain (yes, rain in San Diego, of all places), the game has been moved to 2 p.m. EST. Monmouth, located in West Long Branch, New Jersey, won the Northeast Conference last season.
Listen to the game live on the Big Blue Sports Network (radio) with Dick Gabriel calling the action. Fans in Lexington can hear the action live on WGVN 1580-AM and online at UKathletics.com.
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