Kentucky Baseball's bullpen off to incredible start

In recent years, Kentucky’s bullpen hasn’t quite lived up to what was expected of them. That couldn’t be farther from the truth this season.

Through its first 11 games, Kentucky relievers boast a 2.61 ERA over 48 2/3 innings pitched.

Following their three-game weekend sweep of Lipscomb, the Wildcat bullpen has not allowed a run in 19 1/3 consecutive innings.

“As a hitter and as an offense, we know that if we get a lead early, the bullpen’s coming in they’re pretty dominant so far,” junior designated hitter Ryan Waldschmidt said on Sunday.

“I think that’s a good to thing to have as an offense. I think we get our runs up early and our bullpen does the rest of the work. That’s going to be a huge part of this season.”

Redshirt junior left-handed pitcher Evan Byers and junior left-handed pitcher Jackson Nove have been standouts out of the pen so far. The duo has combined for 14 2/3 innings pitched, allowing just six hits and no earned runs while striking out 17 batters.

Nove struck out five of his six batters faced in Friday’s 7-4 win over Lipscomb.

M8 | UK 6 | LIP 4

THAT'LL PLAY🔥🔥🔥@Jackson_Nove strikes out the Bison side to shut down the eighth!#WeAreUK pic.twitter.com/uVVa5oTI8A

— Kentucky Baseball (@UKBaseball) March 1, 2024

“I give coach [Dan] Roszel a lot of credit,” head coach Nick Mingione said on Sunday. “We’ve been able to get some guys in the right spots and in college athletics, you’ve got to put your players in positions to be successful. Our guys have done that.”

Dan Roszel, Kentucky’s pitching coach, joined the staff in 2020.

The Bat Cats (10-1) are back in action on Tuesday, when they host Eastern Kentucky at 4:00 p.m. EST.