Kentucky falls to South Carolina 5-4 in second game of doubleheader

After losing the opening game of Saturday’s doubleheader, South Carolina bounced back in the second game and held off Kentucky 5-4 to even the series at a game apiece. The ‘Cats held a lead until the eighth inning, where Carolina’s Will Tippett blasted a go-ahead two-run home run to put the Gamecocks on top.

Kentucky falls to 24-16 (9-11) on the season and fail to get to .500 in SEC play for the first time this season. Its three-game SEC game winning streak was snapped, and it’ll now have to win tomorrow to win consecutive conference series for the first time this season.

Just four different ‘Cats notched a hit, while outfielder Cole Hage was the lone player with multiple. He went 2-3 at the plate with a two-run home run and a double and was responsible for two of Kentucky’s four runs on the night.

Reigning SEC Pitcher of the Week Nic McCay struggled for Kentucky, as he allowed seven hits and three earned runs in just three innings of work. Right-handed reliever Nile Adcock was nails with three scoreless innings, but left-hander Cole Hentschel allowed the go-ahead two-run homer in the eighth.

‘Cats and Gamecocks trade runs early

Senior right-hander and reigning SEC Pitcher of the Week Nic McCay made his 11th start of the season for Kentucky in the second game of Saturday’s doubleheader. His start against the Gamecocks however didn’t go anything like his start against Tennessee last weekend, as the South Carolina lineup got after him early.

Shortstop Henry Kaczmar opened things up with a one-out double, putting a quick runner in scoring position for Paul Mainieri’s team. DH Kennedy Jones delivered with an RBI-single up the middle, quickly giving his team an early 1-0 lead.

That lead however didn’t last long, as Kentucky’s leadoff hitter Tyler Bell immediately knotted things up in the bottom of the first with a solo home run. Bell totaled his sixth longball of the season, which ranks fourth among SEC freshmen.

YO QUIERO TYLER BELL!@BellTyler28 launches a 109 MPH, 383 foot blast to lead off the game for us.

B1 | 1-1

📺 SECN+ pic.twitter.com/KJax6auHgQ

— Kentucky Baseball (@UKBaseball) April 26, 2025

The ‘Cats would extend their lead to 3-1 in the bottom of the second courtesy of a two-run home run by Cole Hage, but it didn’t take long for Carolina to re-tie the game in the top of the third with a two-run double hit by outfielder Nathan Hall.

Hage thrown out at home, but Kentucky still finds way to take lead

Once the Gamecocks tied the game in the third, it looked as if Kentucky was poised to re-take the lead in the fourth inning.

Cole Hage followed his second inning home run with a one-out double in the bottom of the fourth, eventually reaching third on a James McCoy groundout. Tyler Bell was then plunked to put runners on the corners with the red-hot Kyuss Gargett coming to the plate.

Instead of letting Gargett hit for the possible RBI however, the ‘Cats attempted to pull off the double steal. Bell purposefully tripped at first base and Hage took off for home, but Carolina left-handed pitcher Jake McCoy was not fooled. He delivered a pitch to catcher Gavin Braland as Hage slid into home plate, where he was originally ruled safe. After review however, he was ruled out.

https://t.co/8uMNEu91FG pic.twitter.com/XwzPxygWOZ

— Daniel Hager (@DanielHagerKSR) April 26, 2025

Right-hander Nile Adcock kept the Gamecocks scoreless in the top of the fifth, giving Kentucky another chance to take the lead in the latter half inning. Carson Hansen delivered with a picture perfect RBI sac-bunt, scoring Kyuss Gargett from third to give the ‘Cats a 4-3 advantage.

Adcock was sensational in relief Saturday night, as he pitched three scoreless innings where he struck out four hitters.

Carolina jumps to late lead in eighth inning

After Kentucky took a 4-3 lead in the fifth inning, it failed to add any insurance over the following frames. This came back to bite the ‘Cats, as South Carolina scored two runs in the top of the eighth to jump ahead 5-4.

Right fielder Dalton Mashore led off the inning with a single and advanced to third base on a passed ball, bringing second baseman Will Tippett to bat with one out in the inning. Tippett jumped all over the 3-1 pitch from Cole Hentschel for his first home run of the season, a two-run shot to propel the ‘Cocks ahead.

Kentucky failed to score over the final two innings, leading to the 5-4 loss. The ‘Cats will now have to take down the Gamecocks in Sunday’s series finale to take the series.

What’s next for Kentucky?

Following its loss Saturday night, Kentucky and South Carolina will collide in a Sunday rubber match to decide the series winner. First pitch is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. EST.