Kentucky falls to No. 2 Texas 6-3 in first ever conference matchup

Kentucky fell to No. 2 Texas 6-3 Friday night in the first ever conference matchup between the two programs. With the loss, the ‘Cats fall to 18-13 (5-8) on the season.

Nick Mingione’s team is currently in the midst of a rough stretch, as they have now lost 11 of their last 16 games. Eight of these 11 losses however have come against teams present in D1Baseball’s Top 25 Rankings (No. 2 Texas, No. 6 Ole Miss, No. 7 Georgia and No. 14 Louisville).

The ‘Cats were outhit on the night 11-7, as just five Wildcat batters notched at least one hit. Luke Lawrence, who reached on a single and a bunt-single, and Shaun Montoya were the two ‘Cats with multiple hits.

Freshman right-handed pitcher Nate Harris held the Longhorns to just one run through four innings, but right-handed reliever Scott Rouse was dinged for seven hits and five earned runs in 3 2/3 innings of relief.

Nate Harris flourishes in second straight top-10 start

Following his first career SEC start against then ranked No. 9 Ole Miss last Friday, Kentucky freshman right-hander Nate Harris made his second career SEC start against No. 2 Texas this Friday night.

Harris, who held the Rebels to just three hits and no runs in 3 2/3 innings, bounced back with another strong performance against the Longhorns on Friday. He had a bit of a longer leash in this start, as he lasted four innings and held Texas to just one earned run and four hits.

His success against SEC competition has been a tad surprising, as he was dinged for 12 hits and nine earned runs in his last two starts against non SEC teams (Murray State and Xavier). Harris’ lone allowed run came in the top of the third inning, when Texas shortstop Jalin Flores snuck an RBI-single past the glove of Patrick Herrera at third into left field to drive in the first run of the game.

‘Cats break through in fifth inning

Texas left-hander Jared Spencer, who transferred from Indiana State in the offseason, entered Friday’s start with a 3.20 ERA in 45 innings of work. Spencer got whatever he wanted early against the Kentucky lineup, as the ‘Cats were held two just two hits (singles from Luke Lawrence and Patrick Herrera) and no runs through four innings.

Lawrence returned to the plate to open the bottom of the fifth inning and reached first on a perfectly executed bunt that rolled into no man’s land between Spencer and Texas first baseman Kimble Schuessler. Herrera was then plunked, which moved Lawrence to second. Following a Cole Hage strikeout, redshirt freshman Hudson Brown marched to the plate with a major opportunity at hand.

Brown delivered in a big way, as he shot an RBI-single to left field to score Lawrence from second. Tying the game wasn’t good enough for the ‘Cats, as Shaun Montoya propelled them to a quick lead in the sixth.

After falling behind in the count 1-2, Montoya belted his second home run of the season over the right field wall to give Kentucky a 2-1 lead.

MY NAME IS SHAUN MONTOYA! YOU THREW ME A PITCH, NOW WATCH IT FLY! (iykyk)

B6 | UK 2, TEX 1@shaunmontoya10 📺 SECN+ pic.twitter.com/2bcX7nuUYQ

— Kentucky Baseball (@UKBaseball) April 12, 2025

Texas rides three-run seventh inning to late lead

Senior right-hander Scott Rouse, who relieved Harris to open the fifth inning, retired his first six batters faced. He however immediately ran into trouble in the top of the seventh, as Texas’ Kimble Schuessler hit a comeback line-drive that deflected off of Rouse’s throwing arm. He however stayed in the game.

Texas right fielder Tommy Farmer IV followed Schuessler with a soft hit ball to Ethan Hindle at third base, which he fielded and threw to Hudson Brown at first. The ball however bounced off the turf and off the glove of Brown, allowing Schuessler to reach third.

With two on and one out, second baseman Ethan Mendoza once again gave the Longhorns the lead. He hit a soft pop-up to right field, which dropped in for a hit. Shaun Montoya however misplayed the ball, allowing it to roll under his gloves. Two runs scored, giving the Longhorns their first lead since the top of the fifth inning.

Two runs wasn’t enough for Jim Schlossnagle’s team, as D1Baseball Midseason First Team All-American catcher Rylan Galvan wrapped up the half inning nicely. He snuck a hard-hit RBI-single down the third base line, scoring the third Longhorn run of the inning. Suddenly, Kentucky’s 2-1 lead had turned into a 4-2 deficit.

Longhorns open weekend in Lexington with a win

Following another dominant inning of pitching for the stellar Texas pitching staff, the Longhorns tacked on two more insurance runs in the top of the eighth.

After walking two batters and allowing a double to Kimble Schuessler, Rouse had loaded the bases with red-hot Ethan Mendoza due to bat. Mendoza, who drove in two runs in the top of the seventh inning, drove in two more here. He jumped on the first pitch Rouse threw for a two-run single up the middle, extending the Texas lead to four runs.

Once Kentucky took the lead in the sixth inning, its offense completely dried up. Over the final three innings of play, the ‘Cats were held to just two hits and one run, effectively ending the game and handing the Longhorns their 28th win in their last 31 games.

What’s next for Kentucky?

Kentucky and Texas will return to Kentucky Proud Park for the second game of the weekend series Saturday afternoon at 12:00 PM EST.