Don't panic about Kentucky Baseball's loss to Lipscomb

After a dominant 11-0 win over Lipscomb in its 2025 season opener on Friday, Kentucky was upset by the Bisons 3-1 in game two of its season opening doubleheader. However, it’s way too early to panic about the Bat Cats.

Sure, it was extremely off-putting to see a Wildcat team fresh off a College World Series berth lose to a mid-major like Lipscomb in its second game of the season, but this isn’t quite rare in the sport of College Baseball.

Just this opening weekend alone, high-major teams such as No. 8 Georgia (UNC Wilmington), No. 24 Nebraska (UC-Irvine) and Illinois (Abilene Christian) were upset by mid-major teams to kick off their 2025 seasons.

In 2023, Kentucky opened its season with a 2-0 shutout loss on the road at Elon. At the time, Nick Mingione was considered to be on the “hot seat” and was heavily criticized following the loss. That game was extremely similar to Friday’s loss, as Kentucky notched just four hits in that Elon loss and three hits in the Lipscomb loss.

Following that loss to Elon on Feb. 17, 2023 however, the Cats lost just one of their next 22 games en route to their first Super Regional appearance in six years. They would follow it up next season with a program-record 46 wins, a Men’s College World Series appearance, and a National Coach of the Year Award for Nick Mingione.

In addition to this look on the bright side, Kentucky’s veterans seemed to just get off to a slow start on Friday. Redshirt fifth year catcher Devin Burkes, who had surgery over the offseason, went 0-4 in his season debut and Preseason All-SEC senior right-hander Robert Hogan walked both batters he faced.

In 56 career appearances prior to Friday’s stint, Hogan had never walked both batters that he’s faced. It’s safe to assume that this won’t happen again this season.

Friday wasn’t all doom and gloom however, as transfer additions left fielder Cole Hage and first baseman Dylan Koontz got off to strong starts at the plate and right-hander Nic McCay dazzled in his Kentucky debut (5 IP, 2 H, 0 ER) on Friday.

Kentucky will look to bounce back on Tuesday when it hosts Morehead State in its home opener at Kentucky Proud Park. First pitch is scheduled at 4:00 p.m. EST.