Kentucky Baseball pulls out series win over No. 1 Tennessee -- what's next?

After a wild weekend in the Bluegrass, Kentucky Baseball finally ruffled some feathers in the Southeastern Conference, swiping two out of three games from No. 1 Tennessee inside Kentucky Proud Park.

Behind a 13-inning series-opening win and a rainy victory that took two days to complete, the Wildcats (26-21, 9-15 SEC) put the biggest stamp on their season in Lexington, handing the Volunteers (42-6, 20-4 SEC) their fifth and sixth losses — their first and second on the road — as well as their first series loss of the year.

The series victory is just the second in conference play this season, putting the ‘Cats mark in three-game sets against SEC foes at 2-6. It’s been a long, grueling season once again for head coach Nick Mingione’s squad, with postseason hopes out of the question.

In a season filled with negatives, the Wildcats have built some positive momentum to take with them into the final two weeks of the regular season…but does this overshadow the disappointment that the 2022 campaign has come with?

Just enough hitting to get the job done

Catcher Alonzo Rubalcaba was the man of the hour on Thursday night, dropping a single into left field in the 13th inning to bring home John Thrasher, giving the ‘Cats a near-five hour victory by a score of 3-2.

No runs had been scored since the fourth inning by either team, but UK had no trouble eventually racking them up. Out-hitting Tennessee 12-5, nine Wildcats collected a base-knock in game one. Kentucky would out-hit UT 26-19 for the series.

Rubalcaba and Chase Estep led the way over the weekend, touting five hits each. Following yet another solid series, Estep maintains his team-best hitting stats, headlined by his .319 batting average, 1.023 OPS and .430 on-base percentage.

For Rubalcaba, the five-hit set was a much-needed one, bringing his batting average up to .252. Notching at least one hit in every game against the Vols, it’s the first time since April 8-9 that he has earned a hit in back-to-back games. Despite missing seven games this season, the catcher is tied for third on the team in RBI with 30.

In the postponed second game, it was big man Oraj Anu who carried the ‘Cats across the finish line. After missing a month and a half due to injury, Anu returned on April 22 but finally made his mark six games later.

In the bottom of the sixth, the Orlando, FL native belted an RBI double to score Daniel Harris IV, putting UK up 4-2. Two innings later, he would add another run via a groundout that brought home Estep, capping off the 5-2 win.

While he’s played just 18 games, Anu has contributed 21 hits and 19 RBI while holding a .350 batting average.

Game three was more of what was expected, with the Volunteers avoiding the sweep with a 7-2 win. Estep and Jump each picked up a pair of hits, but the offense was stagnant against Drew Beam and Redmond Walsh.

Beat up pitching staff finally doesn’t falter

Putting it simply, Kentucky’s pitching staff has been mediocre. Injuries have done the ‘Cats no favors either, with Mingione being down four starters this late in the season.

If you were to preview this series, the matchup seemed clearly in favor of the electric Tennessee offense. Despite that, the UK staff finally shoved, failing to give way when there were multiple opportunities to do so.

Lexington native Tyler Guilfoil was once again near-perfect on Thursday night, hurling six innings, allowing just one hit while walking two and striking out five. He provided length when the ‘Cats needed it most, throwing 85 pitches.

Guilfoil’s season has been superb, with his ERA now standing at 1.45, not to be out-done by his 0.88 WHIP in 37.1 innings pitched. Batters are hitting a measly .153 against the Lafayette High School product.

The UK staff tallied 15 strikeouts on Thursday. Of course it can’t all be great, as the Volunteers still worked 12 walks. However, this time it managed to not come back to bite the ‘Cats.

Game two was more of a team effort, as four arms combined for the five-hit win. In what was his first start of the season, sophomore Austin Strickland gave Mingione 3.1 innings, allowing two runs on three hits. Zack Lee was terrific in relief, throwing 3.1 innings of his own, giving up just one hit.

Sean Harney cleaned up after the game resumed on Saturday afternoon, pitching the final 1.2 innings to give UK the series win. His day was just beginning, however.

The 6-foot righty would head right back out to the mound to begin the final game of the series, and he once again delivered. In four innings, he allowed just two runs and one earned on five hits while striking out four. Game three was just seven innings, and Mingione elected for a committee to finish up the final three against Tennessee.

Tied through five innings, Wyatt Hudepohl and Magdiel Cotto surrendered the lead in the sixth. In the seventh, UT’s Jordan Beck launched a three-run home run to seal the deal off a Mason Moore pitch.

All things considered, 28 punch-outs across three games against the No. 1 team in the country has to be viewed as a huge success for a pitching staff that has been blasted during conference play.

A great series, sure; but what now?

Maybe I’m just being a Debbie Downer. A series win over the top team in the nation should be celebrated, no doubt. But what will the Bat ‘Cats have to show for it once the regular season comes to a close?

Not all 14 teams make the SEC Tournament in Hoover, with the bottom two clubs staying home. Entering Sunday’s action, Kentucky’s nine wins in SEC play are tied for the second-lowest in the conference, better than only Missouri, who took two of three from the ‘Cats in Columbia.

A disastrous end to the regular season would possibly keep UK from making the trip down to Alabama. The final two SEC series of the season will come at South Carolina (23-22, 9-14 SEC), with the season finale taking place in Lexington against Auburn (32-15, 13-10 SEC.)

Even if Kentucky enters postseason play, winning the tournament would require a Rich Strike-esque upset. Never say never, but aside from this past weekend, the Wildcats have shown no sign of being able to win a bevy of games in quick succession against the talented SEC.

Savor the moment while you can, because a huge three-game set against the Gamecocks awaits, with game one set for May 13 inside Founders Park in Columbia, South Carolina.