Ben Cleaver had a perfect game through 5.2 innings on his way to 7.1 scoreless one-hit innings and Carson Hansen drove in three runs to headline No. 23 Kentucky’s 6-1 victory over Hofstra to clinch the three-game series at Kentucky Proud Park.
A day after gusty winds blew out to left field, a stiff wind mostly turned 180 degrees and held up anything in the air most of the afternoon. Cleaver used it to his advantage, utilizing his defense during an economical outing that was completely different than his 11-strikeout outing a week prior. Cleaver blew through five innings and was perfect through 5.2 until Tyler Cox bounced a ball up the middle but that’s as far as he advanced and no other Pride hitter reached base until Cleaver walked the final batter he faced.
Meanwhile, Hansen had no such issues with the wind. He served an RBI single to right-center in the first inning and clobbered a 400-foot two-run home run to right field in the sixth. The blast came with two strikes after Cole Hage had singled with two strikes and stolen second base.
UK (8-1) Won its seventh straight and will go for a sweep on Sunday afternoon.
Mmm Bop! Hansen, Cleaver Make Hit Music in Kentucky Victory – UK Athletics​
A day after gusty winds blew out to left field, a stiff wind mostly turned 180 degrees and held up anything in the air most of the afternoon. Cleaver used it to his advantage, utilizing his defense during an economical outing that was completely different than his 11-strikeout outing a week prior. Cleaver blew through five innings and was perfect through 5.2 until Tyler Cox bounced a ball up the middle but that’s as far as he advanced and no other Pride hitter reached base until Cleaver walked the final batter he faced.
Meanwhile, Hansen had no such issues with the wind. He served an RBI single to right-center in the first inning and clobbered a 400-foot two-run home run to right field in the sixth. The blast came with two strikes after Cole Hage had singled with two strikes and stolen second base.
UK (8-1) Won its seventh straight and will go for a sweep on Sunday afternoon.
Mmm Bop! Hansen, Cleaver Make Hit Music in Kentucky Victory – UK Athletics​