Kentucky goes out on top 6-1 in home finale against NKU

Kentucky closed out its 2025 home campaign Tuesday night with a 6-1 win over in-state rival Northern Kentucky. The ‘Cats improved to 29-20 on the season are now just one win away from four consecutive 30-win seasons (first time since 2015-2018).

With the win, Kentucky is now 14-2 all-time against Northern Kentucky and officially went 4-3 against in-state teams this season. It secured wins over Morehead State, Eastern Kentucky, Louisville and Northern Kentucky while losing to Louisville, Murray State and Western Kentucky.

The ‘Cats are also now 4-4 in home finales in the Nick Mingione era (excluding 2020).

Kentucky’s offense was somewhat quiet in the win, as it hit for just a .241 average (7-29) on the night. Kyuss Gargett was the lone ‘Cat with multiple hits, and he also drove in a team-high two RBIs in the eighth inning. Freshman Ryan Schwartz however had a game to remember, as he belted his first career home run in the second inning.

Senior right-hander Scott Rouse made his second start of the season and tied his season-high with seven strikeouts in five innings of work. He allowed no runs and held the Norse to just two hits over that span. Eight different pitchers saw action for Kentucky Tuesday night, holding NKU to just six hits and one run over nine frames.

Ryan Schwartz belts first career home run

Senior right-hander Scott Rouse made his second start of the season Tuesday night, where he held Northern Kentucky scoreless through two frames to bring the Kentucky offense back to the plate in the bottom of the second.

It was a rough start to the night for the offense, as the first five Wildcat batters were retired in order. Freshman Ryan Schwartz, who has now notched a hit in six of his last eight games, however changed that in an instant. Schwartz belted his first career home run over the left field fence to give Kentucky an early 1-0 advantage.

E2 | UK 1, NKU 0

First career #BigBlueBomb for @RyanSchwartz25! Stay hot young man!

📺 SECN+ pic.twitter.com/ZxkWg9cEqe

— Kentucky Baseball (@UKBaseball) May 13, 2025

The first of many for the talented utility piece.

After yet another scoreless inning on the mound for the Radford transfer, the ‘Cats tacked on yet another run to its total in the bottom of the third. After Tyler Bell reached first on a single (he has now reached base safely in 48 of 49 games) and moved to third after a steal and a passed ball, he was brought home with an RBI sac-fly to center field hit by Cole Hage.

Northern Kentucky threatens in sixth inning

Kentucky stole its third run of the game in the bottom of the fifth inning, courtesy of classic Nick Mingione baseball.

Kyuss Gargett opened the frame by reaching safely on a bunt, and was moved over to second on a Devin Burkes bunt. He then advanced to third on a Tyler Bell groundout and easily scored from third on a passed ball, nabbing a quick run for the ‘Cats.

Northern Kentucky however threatened to tie things up in the sixth inning following Rouse’s departure, loading the bases with just one out in the inning. Right-hander Nile Adcock however entered and forced a 1-2-3 double play, getting out of the inning unscathed and keeping the Norse scoreless.

Kentucky holds on for fourth consecutive win

The Norse once again threatened in the top of the eighth, where they actually plated their first run of the game.

Freshman right-hander Zak Spurrier opened the frame on the mound for Kentucky and allowed a walk, a single and an RBI-single to NKU’s Logen Devenport before his day quickly came to an end. Devenport entered the game with a .427 batting average, which ranked sixth in all of College Baseball.

Left-hander Cole Hentschel however entered and played the fireman role perfectly, forcing two quick outs to get the ‘Cats out of the inning. Leading by just two now, they scored three insurance runs in the bottom of the eighth to push their lead to five.

Patrick Herrera drove home a run with an RBI-groundout, and Kyuss Gargett drove home two runs with an infield single. James McCoy scored easily from third, but crafty base running from Carson Hansen stole a second run. Hansen, who was on second base, never stopped running and slid in just under the tag at home.

E8 | UK 6, NKU 1@Carson34Hansen never stopped running. pic.twitter.com/Cy4SXNu7Fa

— Kentucky Baseball (@UKBaseball) May 14, 2025

Right-handers Tristan Hunter and James McCoy held the Norse scoreless in the ninth, cementing the win for the ‘Cats.

What’s next for Kentucky?

Following its final midweek game of the season, Kentucky will travel to Nashville for a three-game series at No. 9 Vanderbilt. Then, it’s off to Hoover for the SEC Tournament for the ‘Cats.