Kentucky falls to Lipscomb 3-1 in disappointing game two loss

Kentucky was nearly shutout in game two of the Friday doubleheader as Lipscomb upset the Wildcats 3-1. Kentucky didn’t score its first run until there were two outs in the top of the ninth.

It was an extremely disappointing outing for Kentucky, which scored 11 runs and notched 13 hits in its 11-0 mercy-rule victory over Lipscomb in game one. Just two players notched a hit (Cole Hage and Dylan Koontz), two singles and a bunt-single.

Nine consecutive Wildcat batters were retired from the fifth inning to the eighth inning, almost completely killing any chance at a comeback.

The Wildcats start the season 1-1 and will now have to defeat Lipscomb in Sunday’s series finale to avoid beginning the season with a series loss. Kentucky lost just three of its 13 three-game series’ last season.

Players of the Game:

• LHP Ben Cleaver: In his first start of the season, Cleaver allowed four hits and two earned runs in 3 2/3 innings on the mound.
• LF Cole Hage: Hage continued his hot start to the 2025 season, as he went 1-3 at the plate with a single.
• LHP Jackson Nove: Nove’s first relief appearance of the season was a great one. He struck out five batters and allowed just one hit in three innings of work.

Burkes, Hindle, and Gargett make season debuts

In game two of Kentucky’s doubleheader against Lipscomb, redshirt fifth year catcher Devin Burkes, sophomore third baseman Ethan Hindle and sophomore designated hitter Kyuss Gargett made their season debuts in relief of Raphael Pelletier, Patrick Herrera and James McCoy. Pelletier, Herrera and McCoy went a combined 5-9 at the plate in game one.

Preseason First Team All-SEC catcher Devin Burkes, who underwent surgery in the offseason, did not play in game one but got the start in game two.

Pitcher’s duel reigns supreme early

After allowing Kentucky to score 11 runs in the first game of the doubleheader, Lipscomb really shut things down early in game two.

Graduate left-hander Rigo Ramos started on the mound for the Bisons and was incredible in his first appearance of the 2025 season. Ramos, who transferred in from Bowling Green State, pitched to a 7.11 ERA (3-1 record) in 49 1/3 innings last season. Against the Cats however, he allowed just one hit and no runs through four innings.

Devin Burkes came close to a two-run home run in the fourth inning, but fell just short as the ball died at the warning track. Other than a Dylan Koontz bunt single, the Wildcat offense was extremely flustered by the left-hander.

Sophomore lefty Ben Cleaver got the start for Kentucky, the first of his career, and was extremely dominant as well early. As a freshman last season, Cleaver pitched 6 1/3 innings to a 4.26 ERA with 11 strikeouts and three walks. Just like Ramos, he held the Bisons scoreless with just one hit through three innings of work.

Lipscomb scores first runs of the day

As the Kentucky offense continued to disappoint in the second game, the Lipscomb offense slowly began to wake up. After not scoring a single run in their first 10 innings of action, the Bisons nicked Cleaver for two and Hogan for one in the bottom of the fourth inning.

Right fielder Jacob Tobias walked and third baseman David Coppedge layed down a perfect bunt to put two on with no outs for the Bisons to open the inning. DH Keaton Mahan and Lipscomb then pulled the Nick Mingione card on Kentucky, bunting to advance the runners over. The Wildcats however fumbled the throw to first, allowing a Bisons run to score.

The bad luck continued for Kentucky following Tobias’ score, as first baseman Damion Kenealy Jr. roped an RBI-single into left field to extend the lead. Cleaver’s day was over, and he was relieved by Preseason All-SEC Second Team selection Robert Hogan. Hogan was expected to get the Cats out of the jam, but that was not the case.

The right-hander struggled, throwing eight balls in 12 pitches. One of those pitches was a wild pitch, allowing yet another Bisons run to score. He was relieved by left-hander Evan Byers, who finally got the Cats out of the inning.

Cats leave bases loaded in fifth

It looked as if Kentucky would finally respond in the fourth inning, but it just never happened.

Left fielder Cole Hage led off the top of the fifth inning with his fifth hit of the day, a single to get things started. The bases were then loaded following walks of Tyler Bell and Ethan Hindle, giving Kentucky a prime spot to cut into the three-run deficit.

This however did not happen, as Lipscomb’s Ramos struck out Kyuss Gargett and Luke Lawrence (both three pitch at-bats) to get out of the jam. It was an incredible outing for the Bowling Green State transfer, who held Kentucky to just two hits and no runs in five innings of work.

Wildcat offense hits a stalemate en route to loss

After falling behind 3-0 in the fourth, the Kentucky offense had no response. When it loaded the bases in the fifth, nine consecutive Wildcat batters were retired in order until the eighth inning when Patrick Herrera drew a full-count walk and Luke Lawrence was hit by a pitch. This put runners on first and second with just one out, presenting a prime opportunity for the Cats to claw their way back into the game.

Herrera and Lawrence moved over to second and third on a wild pitch, but Will Marcy struck out and Devin Burkes lined out to end the inning. Truly a game of missed opportunities.

After a scoreless inning of relief for Simon Gregersen in the bottom of the eighth, the Cats were down to their final three outs in the top of the ninth inning. Shaun Montoya grounded out, Cole Hage walked and Tyler Bell struck out to accrue two outs, but Dylan Koontz lofted an RBI-single to right field to keep the Cats from being shutout.

Raphael Pelletier nearly tied the game as a pinch-hitter, but flew out to the warning track to end the game.

What’s next for Kentucky?

Kentucky will attempt to bounce back and win the weekend series on Sunday. Game three is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. ET.