Anthony Kidston hasn’t lost a baseball game since he arrived at the University of Louisville two years ago. He was 5-0 as a freshman, he’s 8-0 this season after UofL defeated Kansas 6-3 Saturday to assure the Cardinals will be in the championship game of NCAA Regional.
His personal winning streak dates back to his senior season at Defiance, Ohio, where he won nine games without a loss and compiled an earned run average of 0.59. He was also a decent hitter, batting .404 while driving in 33 runs that year In other words, he’s a winner.
Through the first four innings Saturday, Kidston had allowed only two hits while holding the Jawhawks scoreless. Kansas would score its first run after a walk and two singles. He would leave the bases loaded.
Dan McDonnell wasn’t about to pull him, however, needing a couple of more innings from the 6-foot-2 righthander. Kidston would give up two more singles, a walk and another run in the sixth, Kansas cutting the deficit to 6-2.
Still had another inning in him, shutting Kansas down 1-2-3 in the seventh. When he retired to the dugout in the eighth inning, Kidston had given up five hits while walking five batters and notching five strikeouts.
Not a masterpiece by any means but a very important win, assuring that UofL has a great shot at a Regional championship. If the Cardinals are successful, they host a Super Regional (after Florida State was eliminated Saturday).
Kansas and Kentucky will meet Sunday at noon in the elimination bracket with Louisville playing the winner of that game at 4 p.m.