Box Score

TUCSON, Az. – The Eastern Kentucky University baseball team fell in its season opener against No. 7 University of Arizona Wildcats, 6-0, at Hi Corbett Field on Friday night.   
 
The Colonels (0-1) started the game off with a hit as junior Daniel McFarland doubled down the left field line, but Eastern could not capitalize on the hit and left McFarland stranded. Arizona took the lead in the bottom of the inning when its lead-off batter scored from second on a single to left field.
 
After a scoreless second inning, the Wildcats (1-0) added to their lead in the bottom of the third when, with runners at the corners, the Colonels turned a double-play but could not stop the runner on third from scoring. Arizona padded its lead with three runs in the sixth, and an insurance run in the eighth.
 
Eastern attempted a rally in the ninth with another hit from McFarland, this time a double up the right field line, but it would not be enough to overcome the Wildcats pitching and defense.
 
Junior Jack Piekos gave up two earned runs and notched two strikeouts in his first five innings of work in a Colonel uniform.
 
For Arizona, JC Cloney went seven innings and only gave up one hit while striking out six Colonels.
 
"Cloney was dominant tonight, you can see why he's one of the best pitchers in college baseball," said EKU Head Coach Edwin Thompson. "We competed, but we came up short. We get another shot at them tomorrow afternoon, and we'll be ready."
 
The Colonels return to action Saturday when junior Max Ford takes the mound as Eastern looks to bounce back here in Tucson. First pitch is schedule for 3 p.m. eastern.