Kentucky Bounces Back, Takes Down #1 LSU in Comeback Victory

After being run-ruled by the No. 1 team in the country on Thursday night, the gritty Kentucky Wildcats came back out on Friday night and took down Goliath, holding off #1 LSU 13-10 in a back-and-forth affair. After falling behind 6-1 through four innings, the ‘Cats scored 10 unanswered to put themselves in front for good.

Chase Stanke, who was celebrating his birthday in Baton Rouge on Friday, was the story of this one. Stanke, who entered game two of the weekend series with just four RBI on the season, went 3-4 with a home run and four RBI, matching his total for the entire season. Friday night’s victory over LSU is Kentucky’s first win over the No. 1 team in the country since last season’s victories over Tennessee at Kentucky Proud Park.

Stanke wasn’t the only ‘Cat to rack up the hits, as Jackson Gray and Émilien Pitre knocked three hits as well. Nolan McCarthy finished with two hits and three RBI. Kentucky finished with 14 hits on the night against one of the best pitching staffs in the SEC, if not the country.

With the win, Kentucky also became just the third team to knock off LSU at home this season, a huge feat that many experts didn’t predict heading into the weekend series. This victory will go a long way for the Wildcats’ NCAA Tournament seeding.

Go Stanke, It’s Ya Birthday

Just as they did in Thursday’s 16-6 drumming, LSU jumped out to an early lead in this one. After Dylan Crews was plunked on a full count, NC State transfer Tommy White roped a double to left center field, giving LSU a quick 1-0 lead. At this point, LSU fans at “The Box” were thinking this would be another easy victory. They were wrong.

Jase Felker started off the top of the second inning with a single, but was thrown out trying to steal second. Nolan McCarthy was walked, putting a runner on first with Chase Stanke up to bat. Stanke, who was making just his 11th start of the season, belted his first home run as a Wildcat to give Kentucky their first lead of the series.

Not a bad way to spend your birthday eh? And that wasn’t all for Stanke on the night.

Put the Stanke on that pitch. @ChaseStanke pic.twitter.com/qHBTghtJw2

— Kentucky Baseball (@UKBaseball) April 15, 2023

Kentucky’s lead wouldn’t sustain, however, as the Tigers immediately responded in the bottom of the second. Jordan Thompson, who blasted a grand slam in Thursday’s victory, led off the inning with a single.

Following a walk of Ben Nippolt and a fielder’s choice which moved runners to second and third, Tre’ Morgan ripped a single to left field to drive in two more runs for the Tigers, putting them back on top. This one was back and forth early.

All Rise for Tommy Smokes

Pitching took over the middle innings of this one, as LSU’s Ty Floyd and UK’s Darren Williams (who took over for Logan Martin in the bottom of the second) cruised through innings three and four, until the vaunted LSU offense re-awoke in the bottom of the fourth.

After striking out Milazzo on a full count, Williams plunked Morgan, putting a runner on first with the outstanding Dylan Crews up to bat. Crews ripped a double to right center field, allowing the speedy Morgan to fly around the bases and score another run for the Tigers.

A two-run lead just wasn’t enough for Tommy “Smokes”, as White belted a two-run home run to dead center field, increasing the lead to four. White just continues to smash Kentucky pitching, as he notched his fifth RBI through the first two games of the weekend series with the longball. The NC State transfer continues to show why he is one of the most feared offensive players in all of college baseball.

‘Cats Break Through in Stellar Fifth Inning

Trailing by four through four innings, Kentucky did what they do best: score runs in bunches.

Ryan Waldschmidt opened the inning with a single but was gunned out at second on an Émilien Pitre fielder’s choice. Hunter Gilliam walked, setting Devin Burkes up with runners on first and second. Burkes, who had been in a slump recently, finally shed that skin and singled through the left side, scoring Petey for the ‘Cats first run in three innings.

With this, LSU’s Ty Floyd’s day was over. The Tigers’ bullpen would take over, and Nick Mingione’s squad feasted on it.

After Jase Felker reached on an error by White at third base, Nolan McCarthy lifted a deep ball into right field. Brayden Jobert lost it in the lights, allowing the ball to drop for a McCarthy triple. The bases were cleared, and Kentucky had suddenly tied this game up. It wasn’t tied for long though, as birthday boy Chase Stanke singled up the middle to drive in another run, giving the ‘Cats their second lead of the day.

Five Run Seventh Inning Sinks LSU

One five-run inning in a game is impressive. Not only did Kentucky do it once, but they did it twice. After taking a 7-6 lead after their five-run fifth inning, the resilient ‘Cats scored another five runs in the top of the seventh inning.

Kentucky quickly loaded the bases after Devin Burkes and Nolan McCarthy were plunked and Jase Felker reached first on an error. The birthday boy Chase Stanke strolled up to bat and continued to build on his best performance as a Wildcat, singling up the middle to score Burkes from third.

The bases were re-loaded for Grant Smith, who knocked a sac-fly to center field, just deep enough to score Felker from third. LSU claimed that Felker left early, but it was ruled that he did not. Jackson Gray got in on the action, singling up the middle to re-load the bases for the third time this inning.

Ryan Waldschmidt then drew a walk, allowing McCarthy to stroll home. An Émilien Pitre RBI single and a Hunter Gilliam sac-fly later, Kentucky suddenly found themselves up 12-6. Just a complete turnaround from Thursday’s outing.

Giles Slams Door on Comeback

Things got a little hairy for the ‘Cats in the bottom of the eighth inning. Midseason All-American Ryan Hagenow took over for Mason Moore after he allowed a leadoff walk, but Hage failed to perform any better.

Hagenow plunked Morgan on the second pitch he threw and allowed a single to Dylan Crews, loading the bases. With Tommy White up and the bases full, Hagenow walked the Grand Slam threat, allowing Pearson to score. With that, his day was over.

Ryder Giles entered in relief of Hagenow and after allowing a two-RBI single to Jared Jones, he shut down the LSU offense in what was one of his best outings of the season. Émilien Pitre finished off an incredible performance with an RBI single in the top of the ninth, pushing the Wildcats’ lead to three. Giles then forced a fly-out and a double play in the bottom of the ninth to end this one.

Victory, Wildcats.

Down goes #1! Kentucky rides 10 unanswered runs in the fifth and seventh innings to a resilient 13-10 win over #1 LSU. @KySportsRadio

Final: #12 Kentucky 13 / #1 LSU 10 ⚾️ pic.twitter.com/7c8DKOzlJF

— Daniel Hager (@DanielHagerKSR) April 15, 2023

This weekend’s rubber match is scheduled for Saturday at 2:00 p.m. EST. The ‘Cats will be looking for their biggest series victory of the season with Tyler Bosma scheduled to start on the mound.