Kentucky's Bats Heat Up, Lead 'Cats to 7-2 Victory Over Southern Illinois

After taking the first of three games against Southern Illinois on Friday by a score of 5-4 in 10 innings, the ‘Bat Cats also took the second game of the series on Saturday afternoon. Thanks to an offensive explosion from Wildcat batters Jackson Gray (four hits, one RBI), Émilien Pitre (two hits, two RBI), and Hunter Gilliam (three hits, two RBI), the ‘Cats got out to an early lead, and never looked back. Kentucky won its ninth consecutive game, taking down the Salukis 7-2.

LHP Tyler Bosma got the start on the mound for Kentucky, his fourth of the season. Bosma was very impressive in his Saturday outing. The lefty lasted five innings, allowing just three hits and two earned runs. He struck out three batters as well. The grad student earned his third victory of the season, pushing his record to 3-1.

Pitre Gets Wildcat Offense Rolling… Again.

Kentucky 2B Émilien Pitre just continues to prove why he’s one of the best young players in the entire SEC. Hot off his go-ahead base knock in extra innings on Friday night, Pitre got the Kentucky offense rolling on Saturday afternoon. Catcher Devin Burkes continued his run of extra-base hits, notching Kentucky’s first hit of the day with a two-out triple to right field. Burkes’ triple was the first of his career. Facing a two-strike count, Pitre poked a single through the left side of the infield to knock in Kentucky’s first run of the game.

The Burkes-Pitre combo continues to be one of the strongest in the conference.

After Pitre advanced to third following an overthrow to second on a steal attempt, he trotted home on a wild pitch from Southern Illinois RHP Easton Dermody. The Wildcats led 2-0 after one.

Slidin' into your Saturday like…

2-0, UK. T1 pic.twitter.com/56PY4kJlDF

— Kentucky Baseball (@UKBaseball) March 11, 2023

Two-Out Rally Leads to Four-Run Inning

Both teams failed to score over the next two innings. It was almost three until Jackson Gray singled through the right side to keep the top of the fourth alive. Jase Felker followed up the single with one of his own. Gray advanced home after an overthrow to third base, giving the ‘Cats a 3-0 lead. Burkes was walked on five pitches in the at-bat following his triple, putting runners on first and second with Émilien Pitre up to bat.

Of course, Pitre came through. He roped a double down the left field line, scoring Felker from second for his second RBI of the game and 11th of the season. Hunter Gilliam continued the Wildcat scoring outburst with a single to right field, which scored both Pitre and Burkes. With his two-RBI single, Gilliam notched his 10th hit of the week. Following their four-run fourth inning, the ‘Cats took a 6-0 lead.

Salukis Respond in the Fifth

It wouldn’t be easy sailing for Tyler Bosma for long. After walking the first two batters of the fifth inning, Southern Illinois OF Pier-Olivier Boucher finally got to the lefty. Boucher doubled down the right field line, scoring Christman and Schark following their walk and HBP. Bosma was pulled after the inning. He was replaced by LHP Jackson Nove to begin the sixth.

Up four in the seventh inning, Jackson Gray continued his big day to increase the Wildcat lead to five. Gray singled up the middle to score Grant Smith from second, who reached on a walk. Gray’s four-hit performance on Saturday was a season-high, doubling his previous season-high of two hits against Indiana State.

Wildcat Pitching Closes Out a Win

Jackson Nove continued right where Bosma left off when he took over in the bottom of the sixth inning. He pitched 2.2 innings, allowing just three hits and no earned runs. Nove continues to build on a strong week, in which he pitched 5.2 scoreless innings in two appearances. RHP Ryder Giles took over for Nove with two outs in the bottom of the eighth and got the final out of the inning. RHP Ryan Hagenow entered in the bottom of the ninth and shut things down for the ‘Cats. After allowing a single, Hage forced a ground out and struck out two to secure the Kentucky victory.

The final out by @HagenowRyan and we're in the high-five line! pic.twitter.com/GACAQWsjij

— Kentucky Baseball (@UKBaseball) March 11, 2023

With the Saturday afternoon win, Kentucky baseball improves to 13-2 on the season. Southern Illinois falls to 6-9. Game three of the weekend series will begin at 2:00 p.m. EST on Sunday in Carbondale.