Kentucky falls to hard-hitting No. 4 Tennessee 8-2 in series opener

DanielHagerKSR

Kentucky-falls-hard-hitting-Tennessee-series-opener — Kentucky's Patrick Herrera (Photo via UK Athletics)

Kentucky jumped out to an early lead Friday night but was outscored 8-0 over the final eight innings, dropping the series opener to No. 4 Tennessee 8-2. Following the loss, the ‘Cats fall to 20-15 (6-10) on the season and sit in 12th place in the SEC.

Five Wildcat batters notched a hit, but none recorded two or more. Two of its five hits were extra-base hits, courtesy of a Devin Burkes two-run home run and a James McCoy double. Kentucky however was held to just one hit over the final 7 2/3 innings.

Friday night’s game was Kentucky’s first in its last eight to not be contested between three or less runs. After going just 5-32 at the plate as a team, Kentucky’s overall batting average is now down to a lowly .271 (T-178th in NCAA).

Freshman right-hander Nate Harris had yet another promising start, as he allowed just five hits and five earned runs (one of which scored following his departure) in five innings of work. Harris, who had been Kentucky’s midweek starter earlier this season, has fully embraced starting in the SEC. Yet, he was strapped with his second loss of the season (now 3-2).

Strong start for Devin Burkes

Kentucky’s lineup underwent a big shuffle Friday night, as just two batters (Tyler Bell at second and Cole Hage at sixth) hit in the same spot they did in Tuesday’s game. Freshman utility piece Ryan Schwartz was also inserted into the starting lineup for the first time this season.

Third baseman Patrick Herrera, who hit in the leadoff spot for just the second time this season, led off the game with a bloop single to center field to put an immediate runner on first for the ‘Cats. Two quick outs were quickly recorded however, bringing catcher Devin Burkes to bat. Burkes’ season batting average stood at just .269 entering the game, but his average against SEC competition was hovering around the .300 mark (.295).

Burkes continued his solid hitting against conference foes here, as he jumped on the opening pitch for a two-run home run over the right field fence to put the ‘Cats ahead 2-0. Schwartz, in his first start, followed Burkes with a bloop single to put up three hits in the first frame.

GET US GOING, DEVO!

The Happiest Man in College Baseball™️ goes off the videoboard for a two-run #BigBlueBomb.

M1 | UK 2, TENN 0

📺 SECN+ pic.twitter.com/WHc0lrYUOy
— Kentucky Baseball (@UKBaseball) April 18, 2025

Tennessee left-hander Liam Doyle, who is a three-time SEC Pitcher of the Week this season, had allowed at least three hits and two earned runs in just two of his nine starts this season. Kentucky had already totaled three hits and two runs in the top of the first inning.

Falling behind two didn’t faze the ‘Vols however, as they quickly regained the lead thanks to an RBI-groundout from second baseman Dean Curley and a two-run single from right fielder Reese Chapman in the bottom of the first.

Nate Harris and Liam Doyle settle in

Following a topsy turvy first frame for both Kentucky right-hander Nate Harris and the aforementioned Doyle, both arms locked in over the next few innings.

Tennessee threatened to extend its lead in the bottom of the second inning, but Harris forced a 4-6-3 double play to get out of the inning untouched. Kentucky threatened to take the lead in the top of the fifth as it loaded the bases with just one out, but Doyle forced a Kyuss Gargett infield fly and a Devin Burkes strikeout to keep the ‘Cats at just two runs.

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No pitcher really made a mistake until the bottom of the fifth inning, where Tennessee’s leadoff batter Dean Curley belted a solo home run off of Harris to extend the Volunteer lead to two.

DEAN DONG!

📺 https://t.co/N8dq0695Ji (SECN+)#GBO // #BeatUK pic.twitter.com/OGBh3iWzoU
— Tennessee Baseball (@Vol_Baseball) April 19, 2025

Nate Harris‘ third SEC start came to an end after opening the bottom of the sixth inning with a walk, cutting short another solid outing by the freshman. Through his first three career starts against SEC teams (No. 11 Ole Miss, No. 1 Texas and No. 4 Tennessee), Harris allowed just 12 hits and six earned runs over 12 2/3 innings (4.26 ERA).

Things went south for the ‘Cats fast following Harris’ departure however, as Tennessee’s Cannon Peebles took left-hander Evan Byers deep for a three-run home run to increase the Volunteer lead to 7-2 in the bottom of the sixth.

No. 4 Tennessee takes the series opener

Doyle looked the part of a 3x SEC Pitcher of the Week, as he settled in to dominate the Wildcats lineup. After allowing hits to three of his first five faced batters, he held the ‘Cats to just one (James McCoy double) in their next 20 at-bats. The Tennessee right-hander lasted seven innings, where he allowed just four hits and two runs with nine strikeouts. His season total is now up to 101, which leads all of College Baseball.

Volunteer catcher Cannon Peebles blasted a solo home run in the bottom of the eighth, a solo shot, to extend Tennessee’s lead to six runs.

All hopes of a Wildcat comeback were dashed fairly quickly once they fell behind, as the Volunteer pitching duo of Doyle and right-hander Tanner Franklin dominated on the mound. Kentucky was held to just one hit over the final 7 2/3 innings, handing the ‘Cats their 15th loss of the season.