Another Early Deficit Sinks 'Cats as they Fall to Tennessee 10-7

The first two games of the weekend series in Knoxville followed an extremely similar script. In both games, the Volunteers built an 8-1 lead over the ‘Cats before Kentucky’s bats finally woke up late and made things a bit interesting. Once again on Saturday, however, Nick Mingione’s Wildcats were unable to dig themselves out of that hole, falling 10-7 and dropping the weekend series to Tennessee.

The ‘Cats made it a one-run game after back-to-back three-run innings in the sixth and seventh, but the Vols immediately responded with a two-run bottom of the seventh to extend the lead back to three. Following Saturday’s game, Kentucky and Tennessee now sit at 14-12 in the SEC, with the Vols getting the advantage due to tiebreaker. A series sweep could possibly be detrimental to the ‘Cats, knocking them all the way to an eight- or nine-seed line. Avoiding a sweep on Sunday would be instrumental, as the ‘Cats may just lose their chance at a Regional with a weekend sweep.

Tyler Bosma suffered another brutal start on Saturday, lasting only 1.1 innings after giving up four earned runs. His ERA has now skyrocketed to 6.15 on the season. Austin Strickland took over for the middle innings of this one, spanning four innings and giving up four earned runs as well. After a stellar weekend from the Wildcat rotation/bullpen last weekend, the ‘Cats have now given up 20 runs through two games. Not great.

Vols Start Hot… Again

After a scoreless first inning, the Volunteer offense began to impose their will in the second. They started the second inning with four consecutive singles, driving in a total of two runs. After Bosma finally struck out Cal Stark to get the inning’s first out, Tennessee’s fifth single of the inning, this time from Maui Ahuna, drove in another two runs. Bosma’s day of action was over after just 1.1 innings of action.

Starting on the mound for Tennessee was heralded Draft prospect Chase Dollander, who had his way with the Wildcats in this one. Dollander lasted five innings, giving up just five hits and three earned runs while striking out six. Dollander was one of the best pitchers in all of college baseball last season, and showed that he still had the right stuff in this one.

The ‘Cats got on the board in the third thanks to a Grant Smith solo home run, but Tennessee immediately poured on four more runs to extend their lead to 8-1 for the second consecutive day. Austin Strickland got two quick outs in the fourth before a Cal Stark single extended the inning. Ahuna hit his second single of the day and Hunter Ensley reached on a fielder’s choice, loading the bases for Jared Dickey. Dickey absolutely pimped a grand slam, taking a minute to admire his work. Suddenly, the ‘Cats were experiencing Déjà vu.

Another Late Wildcat Surge

Once again, the Wildcat bats were silenced until the later innings. After an inning-opening walk to Ryan Waldschmidt in the sixth, back-to-back doubles from Hunter Gilliam and Émilien Pitre chased Dollander out of the game. After Jase Felker and Reuben Church reached on back-to-back singles, James McCoy continued his late-season resurgence by just missing out on a three-run home run, smoking an RBI double off the left-field wall for a double. The ‘Cats were within four, and continued to bite into that deficit in the seventh.

Two-run double from Petey! @emilien_pitre

T6 | UT 8, UK 3 pic.twitter.com/cKdhvDAFBm

— Kentucky Baseball (@UKBaseball) May 13, 2023

After holding strong in the bottom of the sixth, the Wildcats remained just four down in the seventh. The ‘Cats got runners on first and second quick thanks to a Jackson Gray single and a Hunter Gilliam walk. You know the saying, “big time players make big-time plays.” Well, Émilien Pitre is a big-time player. Pitre ripped his second consecutive double down the left field line, driving in Gray from second. Gilliam would eventually score on a wild pitch, and suddenly momentum was in Kentucky’s favor. Jase Felker followed up the wild pitch with an RBI single, making it an 8-7 game. Suddenly, this one was up for grabs.

Volunteers Shut it Down in Seventh

Midseason All-American Ryan Hagenow started off the seventh for the ‘Cats and continued his vast struggles. After giving up back-to-back inning-opening singles, Hage was pulled for Mason Moore. With bases loaded, Zane Denton ripped a two-run double to left field to put this one out of reach. After back-to-back rally innings, the ‘Cats notched just one hit over the final two frames. With the loss, Kentucky falls to 34-15 (14-12 SEC) on the season. Tennessee improves to 35-16 (14-12 SEC). A victory on Sunday for the Vols could propel them back into position to host a Regional in Knoxville. With a loss for the ‘Cats, those hopes could be dashed.

The 'Cats are unable to dig themselves out of yet another large deficit as they drop the weekend series in Knoxville to the Volunteers.

Final: #17 Kentucky 7 / #23 Tennessee 10 ⚾️ pic.twitter.com/UpxVKwug4y

— Daniel Hager (@DanielHagerKSR) May 13, 2023

Game three of the weekend series is scheduled to begin Sunday at 1:00 p.m. EST on SEC Network+.