Kentucky closes non-conference play strong with 9-2 win over Northern Illinois

Kentucky closed out non-conference play strong with a 9-2 win over Northern Illinois Tuesday night.

Tuesday’s showing was extremely encouraging, as Kentucky had scored just a combined six runs over its last two games. Seven Wildcat batters notched at least one hit, while five drove in at least one run. Devin Burkes, Luke Lawrence and Dylan Koontz shined, as the trio drove in two runs apiece.

Freshman right-hander Nate Harris was also great in his third start of the season, as he held Northern Illinois to just two hits and one run over five innings of work.

The ‘Cats will now take their 13-2 record to No. 4 Georgia this weekend for their first SEC series of the season. The Bulldogs will be looking for revenge, as Kentucky swept and outscored them 37-15 at Kentucky Proud Park last season.

Players of the Game:

• RHP Nate Harris: In his third start of the season, the freshman right-hander allowed just two hits and one earned run in five innings. His season ERA lowered to 2.08.
• C Devin Burkes: Burkes went 2-3 at the plate in the win, driving home two runs on a fifth inning double.
• 2B Luke Lawrence: Kentucky’s second baseman went 2-3 at the plate with two RBIs on Tuesday.

‘Cats get off to great start with three-run first inning

In Kentucky’s series finale against Wofford on Sunday, the ‘Cats scored just two runs but won the game 2-1. On Tuesday however, they scored three runs before the first inning had even come to a close.

Shaun Montoya led off the bottom of the first inning with a single through the left side, continuing his hot streak. Following his leadoff single, he had notched seven singles in his last 12 at-bats. Following a Luke Lawrence hit by pitch and a Tyler Bell drawn walk, a red-hot Dylan Koontz was brought to the plate.

Koontz, who entered the game second on the team in RBIs, jumped to the team lead with one swing. The Campbell transfer lofted a bloop single to shallow center field, which was able to bring home Montoya and Lawrence. Bell reached third and eventually scored as well after Northern Illinois right fielder CJ Cepicky lost a Patrick Herrera pop-fly in the sun.

Through one inning, the ‘Cats held a 3-0 lead.

Devin Burkes extends Kentucky lead in third

Northern Illinois scored its first run of the game in the top of the third inning with an RBI fielder’s choice from left fielder Logan Gregorio. Kentucky however immediately got that run back on the exact same play, as Patrick Herrera grounded into a RBI fielder’s choice which allowed Cole Hage to score from third.

Instead of settling with just one run however, the ‘Cats continued to tack on runs to their lead.

With two runners still on base following the Herrera fielder’s choice, Devin Burkes belted a deep drive to center field, which burned Northern Illinois center fielder Charlie Parcell. Burkes reached second and drove in two more runs, notching his fourth double of the season in the process.

Got heem!@Devin_Burkes blasts a 2-run double.

B3 | UK 6, NIU 1

📺 SECN+ pic.twitter.com/IosPTtidzS

— Kentucky Baseball (@UKBaseball) March 11, 2025

Nate Harris impresses in third start of season

Kentucky’s midweek starter, freshman right-hander Nate Harris, has been excellent through his first three starts of the season.

Tuesday night marked the latest of his great three starts, as he allowed just two hits and one run over five innings of work. In 13 total innings this season, he’s allowed just six hits and three earned runs with nine strikeouts.

His replacement, freshman right-hander Tristan Hunter, was given some run support prior to his entry as Kentucky tacked on two more runs in the bottom of the fifth inning.

Devin Burkes was walked and Will Marcy was plunked to open the frame, setting the ‘Cats up nicely to improve their lead. Following back-to-back outs from Pelletier and Montoya however, it was up to Luke Lawrence to salvage the runners on second and third.

He delivered, as he laced a hard-hit ball into left center field to drive home two more Wildcat runs. Burkes scored easily, but Marcy collapsed just before reaching home plate. He was carried off the field following what looked to be an ankle/leg injury. He did not return to the game, and was replaced by Griffin Cameron in center field.

Pitching staff finishes off NIU

In relief of Marcy, Cameron tacked on another Wildcat run in the bottom of the sixth inning with an RBI-single that just dropped in over the head of NIU third baseman Cooper Cohn. The lead improved to 9-1, which was good enough for the Kentucky pitching staff to finish the game out.

Freshman right-handers Tristan Hunter and Logan Grubb, junior right-hander Nile Adcock, senior right-hander Simon Gregersen and redshirt sophomore Hayden Smith held NIU to just two hits and one run over the final four innings. Adcock in particular was stellar, as he inherited a bases loaded situation in the top of the seventh and forced back-to-back outs to keep the Huskies scoreless in the inning.

Smith took over in the ninth and sat the Huskies down in order, cementing the win.

What’s next for Kentucky?

Kentucky will now travel to No. 4 Georgia on Friday for the start of SEC play. Last season, the ‘Cats swept the Bulldogs in three games at Kentucky Proud Park to open conference play.