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Kentucky earns first ever victory over No. 2 Texas with 5-4 extra-inning win

IMG_8756by:Daniel Hager•about 17 hours•

DanielHagerKSR

Kentucky-earns-first-ever-victory-over-Texas-with-extra-inning-win
Photo by Crawford Ifland | KSR

Kentucky bounced back in a major way on Saturday, downing No. 2 Texas 5-4 (15 innings) to earn its first ever win over the Longhorns. With the win, the ‘Cats improve to 19-13 (6-9) and earn their fourth (No. 2 Texas, No. 3 Georgia, No. 9 Ole Miss and No. 16 Auburn) top-25 win of the season. Kentucky has now gone to extra-innings in four of its last six games (2-2).

In the win, Kentucky Baseball Head Coach Nick Mingione was ejected for the first time since February 23, 2024 (Washington State).

Kentucky out-hit Texas 11-8, as eight different Wildcats notched at least one base knock. Ethan Hindle, who tied the game with a solo home run in the bottom of the ninth inning, Devin Burkes and Kyuss Gargett were their three batters with multiple hits.

Senior right-hander Nic McCay enjoyed his longest SEC outing of season, as he allowed just two hits (both home runs) and three earned runs in 5 1/3 innings pitched. He was followed by relievers Evan Byers, Jackson Nove, Simon Gregersen, Nile Adcock and Cole Hentschel, who combined to allow just six hits and one run over the final 9 2/3 innings.

Kentucky’s pitching staff combined to total 18 strikeouts and hold Texas to a .157 team average (8-51) on the day.

Unlikely bats propel ‘Cats to early 2-0 advantage

Surprisingly, it wasn’t Kentucky’s usual offensive cogs in Tyler Bell, Cole Hage or Patrick Herrera that propelled the ‘Cats to an early lead on Saturday. It however was sophomore DH Kyuss Gargett and RS-junior right fielder James McCoy, both of which did not play in Friday’s series opener.

Kentucky senior right-hander Nic McCay kept Texas scoreless (and hitless) through two innings, bringing the Wildcat offense back up to the plate in the bottom of the second. The half inning got off to a great start for the ‘Cats, as Devin Burkes doubled down the left field line to put an immediate runner in scoring position for Nick Mingione’s team.

Burkes then reached third on a Cole Hage fly-out to left field, bringing Kyuss Gargett to bat. Gargett, who had played in just 14 games this season (two starts), was seemingly destined to attempt the safety squeeze bunt to score Burkes. Gargett however swung the bat and hit a chopping RBI-single up the middle, bringing Kentucky’s catcher home from third.

Following a Shaun Montoya strikeout, the ‘Cats kept the momentum going with an infield single from Ethan Hindle. With runners on first and second with two outs, Mingione put on the hit-and-run with Gargett and Hindle on the bags and James McCoy at bat. McCoy converted this perfectly, as he snuck a hard-hit RBI-single down the left field line to drive in another Wildcat run.

Timely base running and unsuspecting RBI threats gifted Kentucky an early 2-0 lead.

Texas rides the long ball to fourth inning lead

Kentucky’s McCay held Texas hitless and scoreless until the top of the fourth inning, where the Longhorns rode two home runs to a 3-2 lead.

On the third pitch of the at-bat, D1Baseball Midseason First Team All-American catcher Rylan Galvan blasted a solo home run to pull the Longhorns back with one run. Galvan notched his 11th home run of the season, which is tied for the Texas team-lead.

McCay bounced back strong with back-to-back strikeouts, but plunked Adrian Rodriguez to put a runner on first with two outs. Texas shortstop Jalin Flores made McCay pay, as he smashed a two-run home run over the left center field wall to give the Longhorns their first lead of the game.

Two hits, two home runs for Jim Schlossnagle’s team. An unfortunate break for McCay, who had been enjoying his best SEC start of the season so far.

Kentucky ties game at three prior to Mingione’s ejection

After once again giving up another lead in another SEC game (Kentucky has held a lead in all 14 conference games this season), the ‘Cats fought back and tied the game in the bottom of the fifth.

Luke Lawrence continued his quality play as of late with a single through the left side, and eventually stole second with two outs in the inning. Patrick Herrera, who is likely the guy you want at bat with a RISP right now, delivered for the ‘Cats. He laced an RBI-single to left field, scoring Lawrence from second to tie the game at three.

Kentucky looked to be threatening once again in the bottom of the sixth inning, as Cole Hage reached second with just one out in the inning. Following a Shaun Montoya line-out however, Ethan Hindle was brought to the plate. Hindle, who had been hit a team-high 16 times this season, was seemingly plunked on the arm to keep the inning alive. It was however ruled that he leaned into it, effectively ending the inning.

Nick Mingione was extremely unhappy with the call, and expressed his immense displeasure with the umpires. He gave them all he could ask for, as he was ejected for the first time since February 23, 2024 (Karbach Round Rock Classic matchup vs. Washington State).

Hindle’s solo shot sends game to extras

Texas’ Ethan Mendoza led off the top of the eighth with a double, swinging the game momentum back in favor of his Longhorns. He advanced to third on a wild pitch, forecasting what would eventually be Texas’ fourth run of the game.

With third baseman Casey Borba at-bat, Kentucky left-hander Jackson Nove threw a pitch in the dirt which Devin Burkes was unable to come up with. Mendoza just barely slid in safe as Burkes dove at him with the ball in his hand, giving the Longhorns the lead.

Nove and right-hander Simon Gregersen held Texas scoreless in the ninth, giving Kentucky one more opportunity to tie it or walk it off in the latter half inning. Clinging to their one-run lead, the Longhorns brought on D1Baseball Midseason Second Team All-American left-hander Dylan Volantis to pitch in the ninth. Volantis had allowed just three earned runs in 28 1/3 innings pitched entering Saturday’s game.

Kentucky’s leadoff batter Ethan Hindle however wasn’t scared of the moment, as he belted a solo home run to left field to tie the game at four. The ‘Cats were however able to walk it off, sending the game to extra innings.

Gregersen was masterful in relief Saturday afternoon, as he held the Longhorns scoreless in the 9th (two outs), 10th, 11th and 12th innings, giving the ‘Cats prime opportunities to walk the game off. Kentucky was however unable to do so in the first three frames, but put two runners on in the 12th.

Tyler Bell led off the bottom of the 12th with a single to right field, putting an immediate runner on for the ‘Cats. Bell moved to second following a Patrick Herrera sac-bunt, and Griffin Cameron reached first on a walk. With runners on first and second with two outs, Kyuss Gargett was brought back to the plate.

Gargett, who entered the 12th with two hits on the day, had a chance to walk it off but grounded into a fielder’s choice to send the game to the 13th. Missed opportunity after missed opportunity for the ‘Cats.

Kentucky walks it off for second time this season

Gregersen once again held Texas scoreless in the 13th inning, but Kentucky was also held scoreless. The right-hander’s day came to an end prior to the beginning of the 14th inning, and it was a special one. Gregersen held Texas to just one hit and no runs with five strikeouts over 4 2/3 innings, contributing what was likely Kentucky’s best relief outing of the season.

Right-hander Nile Adcock replaced Gregersen to open the 14th inning and sat the Longhorns down in order, ONCE AGAIN giving Kentucky another chance to walk it off. The ‘Cats could not, bringing the Texas lineup back to the plate in the 15th inning.

Adcock surrendered back-to-back one out singles to Texas’ Ethan Mendoza and Rylan Galvan and was replaced by left-hander Cole Hentschel. Hentschel however got out of the frame unharmed, sending the game to the bottom of the 15th inning.

Devin Burkes opened the bottom of the 15th with a single to left field, bringing up Griffin Cameron. Cameron layed down a perfect bunt, which was fielded by Texas catcher Rylan Galvan. The throw to first however sailed the head of Texas first baseman Kimble Schuessler and allowed Burkes to score from first, giving the ‘Cats their second walk-off win of the season.

What’s next for Kentucky?

Kentucky and Texas will meet once again in Sunday’s series finale at Kentucky Proud Park, also scheduled to begin at 12:00 P.M. EST. The game will be broadcast on the SEC Network.

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2025-04-12