Kentucky Baseball Holds Off Southern Illinois in Extras

The Bat ‘Cats made the four-and-a-half-hour drive to Carbondale, Illinois on Friday for a three-game weekend series against Southern Illinois, Kentucky’s last of the season before the start of conference play. Thanks to a clutch single from Emilien Pitre and a shutdown outing from Seth Chavez, the Wildcats held off the surging Salukis and took game one of the series 5-4 in extra innings.

After being used primarily out of the bullpen last season and at the beginning of this season, RHP Darren Williams made his first start of the season for the Wildcats on Friday afternoon. In his 11 innings pitched this season, Darren has been lights out. D-Will gave up just one hit, no earned runs, and struck out 14 through his first three games of the season.

Earlier this week, head coach Nick Mingione told KSR that “[they’re] only going to use him one time a week to protect him and keep him sharp.” After three tune-up games, a busy week meant Darren was going to be let loose on Friday.

Williams’ six innings pitched on Friday were his most of the season. The Salukis were the first team this year to enjoy some success off the seventh-year slinger. In six innings pitched, Williams struck out three batters while allowing seven hits and two earned runs, his first two of the season. Things started off hairy for Williams, as the first two Saluki sluggers singled to put runners on first and second to start the game. D-Will however forced an inning-ending double play to get out of an early jam.

McCarthy Double Gives Wildcats Early Lead

After a quick first inning consisting of two strikeouts and a failed steal attempt, the Wildcat offense got on the board in the top of the second. 1B Hunter Gilliam notched the first Kentucky hit of the day with a double down the left field line, his third of the season. With two outs in the inning, OF Nolan McCarthy poked a single through the left side of the infield, scoring Gilliam from second for his fifth RBI of the season.

‘Cats on the board first.

2-out RBI?

Checks out.@NolanMcCarthy9 lines a run scoring 1B past SS to put Cats ahead early.

👀 https://t.co/31Q0ilfQqv pic.twitter.com/QDbfcvbZku

— Kentucky Baseball (@UKBaseball) March 10, 2023

“Captain” Hunter Gilliam continued his strong stretch of play lately in the top of the third inning, singling to left field and scoring both Devin Burkes and Jase Felker for his first and second RBI of the afternoon. Gilly has notched a hit in each of his last eight games.

Salukis Respond in the Fourth

The Wildcats extended their lead to four in the top of the fourth inning thanks to a wild pitch by Southern Illinois senior RHP Ben Chapman. Devin Burkes’ heads up base running and un-catcher-like speed scooted across home in time to beat the throw from the backstop. Down 4-0 through four, the Saluki offense finally woke up.

Darren Williams gave up his first home run of the season to 1B Matt Schark in the bottom of the fourth, his first of the season as well. Schark’s two-run bomb shrunk the gap to just two through four. After pitching two more scoreless innings, Williams’ day was done to start the seventh inning. He was replaced by RHP Mason Moore.

S Illinois’ Bandy Sparks Saluki Offense

After a promising seventh inning by Moore, Southern Illinois OF Nathan Bandy made this game extremely interesting. Bandy, who is the Salukis leader in batting average, belted a two-run double to right center field, scoring Bennett Eltoft from second and making this just a one-run game.

The pitching staff held on as long as they could, as they failed to receive any run support after the fifth inning. Southern Illinois’ starter Chapman was pulled in the fifth inning after allowing seven hits and four earned runs. This game was flipped upside down upon the entry of RHP Matthew Steidl.

Steidl, who entered Friday’s matchup with a team-worst 14.09 ERA, shut down the Wildcat offense. In 4.1 innings pitched, Steidl allowed just two hits, no earned runs, and struck out five batters. He was replaced to begin the 10th inning.

Heading into the bottom of the ninth up one run, Moore remained on the mound for the Wildcats. OF Mathieu Vallee got the rally started for the Salukis with a single to center field. After advancing to second on a fielder’s choice, a single by SS Kaeber Rog scored Vallee and knotted this one up at four apiece with just one out. Moore was replaced by RHP Seth Chavez, who entered and retired Southern Illinois’ No. 4 & 5 hitters to send the game to extras, the first Kentucky extra-inning game of the season.

Pitre’s Extra Inning Heroics

Heading into extra innings, red-hot Kentucky 2B Émilien Pitre was 0-3 on the day. He was in danger of just his fourth hitless game of the season. Well, until he delivered in the top of the 10th.

After C Devin Burkes drew a 3-2 walk with two outs in the inning, Pitre singled up the middle to score Grant Smith from second after his HBP. The Wildcats were just a mere strike away from having to fight for their lives in the bottom of the inning, but a drawn walk and a clutch single from Pitre gave the ‘Cats a one-run cushion heading into the bottom of the 10th.

OH, CANADA!! 🍁@emilien_pitre falls behind 0-2, fouls off 3 pitches, takes another and then singles back through the box to give UK the lead! pic.twitter.com/GMuu0lg0rE

— Kentucky Baseball (@UKBaseball) March 11, 2023

Following his ninth-inning heroics, Chavez stayed in the game for Kentucky. Chavez allowed an inning-opening single and a walk, putting runners on second and third with two outs in the inning. With the game on the line, Chavez struck out Southern Illinois’ Vallee looking. The senior Chavez has ice in his veins.

Stone. Cold.@Seth1Chavez freezes the final out of the game! pic.twitter.com/NUI4vzQ8rV

— Kentucky Baseball (@UKBaseball) March 11, 2023

With Friday’s victory, Kentucky improves to 12-2 and wins their eighth game in a row. Southern Illinois falls to 6-8 with the loss. Kentucky and Southern Illinois will play the second game of their three-game series on Saturday at 1:00 p.m. EST.