Kentucky holds off Hofstra 7-5 to open weekend series with win

Although it may not have been the dominant performance many fans expected, Kentucky held off Hofstra 7-5 to open the weekend series with a win.

The ‘Cats tallied just six hits, but still led 7-2 heading into the bottom of the ninth. Hofstra gave Kentucky a bit of a scare however, as it scored three of its five runs with no outs in the inning. However, Simon Gregersen bounced back and got out of the jam to secure the win.

Luke Lawrence enjoyed his best game of the season at the plate, notching two hits on the day. He belted a solo home run in the third inning (his first of the season) and an RBI-double in the fifth. He had just three hits on the season entering Friday’s game. Cole Hage tallied three of Kentucky’s hits, as he went 3-4 with two doubles and two RBI. He’s now reached base safely in 24 of his 35 at-bats on the season.

Starting right-hander Nic McCay really struggled with his command for the first time this season, as just 47 of his 81 thrown pitches were strikes. He pitched just 4 1/3 innings, allowing two hits and an earned run with six strikeouts. His line doesn’t look too bad, except he doubled his season walk-count entering the game (two).

A win is a win, and Kentucky will look to secure the series victory on Saturday.

Players of the Game:

• LF Cole Hage: Hage continued to show why he’s been Kentucky’s best offensive player so far this season. He went 3-4 at the plate with two doubles and two RBI.
• 2B Luke Lawrence: Lawrence had his best game at Kentucky so far on Friday. He went 2-4 at the plate with a solo home run and an RBI-double.
• LHP Jackson Nove: Nove was on fire once again in relief, as he struck out five and allowed no hits in two innings of work.

Nic McCay’s scoreless streak snapped

Entering Friday’s series opener, Kentucky right-handed pitcher Nic McCay had been nearly unhittable to open the season.

The Wildcat ace had allowed just four hits with no earned runs in his first 11 innings pitched against Lipscomb and Belmont. After a scoreless opening frame against Hofstra however, his scoreless streak was snapped.

Hofstra left fielder Tyler Castrataro opened the second with a single down the right field line. He was followed by DH CJ Griggs, who was hit by a pitch. With no outs in the inning, the Pride were threatening to strike first.

Strike first they did, as right fielder Luke Masiuk snuck an RBI-single through the left side to score Castrataro from second. Hofstra, who was outscored 46-2 in its three game series against Tennessee to open the season, took a 1-0 lead.

McCay’s scoreless streak was snapped at 12 2/3 innings.

‘Cats steal a run with distraction double-steal

Trailing by one run heading to the bottom of the third, second baseman Luke Lawrence snapped out of his 3-21 funk to open the season.

The Illinois State transfer jumped on the first pitch, lifting a solo home run over the left field fence to tie the game at one apiece. It was Lawrence’s first long ball at Kentucky and fourth of his career. The 35 mph winds at Kentucky Proud Park Friday night were a big help.

The ‘Cats weren’t done scoring in the inning however, as left fielder Cole Hage stayed hot with a double down the left field line. Following a Tyler Bell drawn walk, Wildcat runners were on first and third with two outs.

The mischievous Nick Mingione at third base then called a special play that former players Grant Smith and Émilien Pitre ran last season. Bell acted like he was stealing second and fell down, confusing Hofstra’s Jackson Bauer on the mound. In the confusion, Hage took off from third and slid home safely. Before the Pride could figure out what just happened, the ‘Cats had stolen a run.

Hofstra got its run back in the top of the fourth though, as Patrick Herrera bobbled a groundball with the bases loaded allowing the runner from third to score.

Lawrence and Hage carry the Wildcat offense

Friday night’s series opener was Luke Lawrence‘s best game of the season so far.

After belting a solo home run in the third inning, Lawrence put the ‘Cats back in front in the bottom of the fifth inning. Following a leadoff walk and steal by Ethan Hindle, Kentucky’s second baseman hit a chopping RBI-double down the left field line to score Hindle from second.

Lawrence followed up his double with a steal of third base, putting a runner 90 feet from home with Cole Hage up to bat. Hage grounded out to second, but Lawrence was able to score easily.

Left-hander Jackson Nove entered in the sixth inning and continued to shut down the Hofstra offense, allowing the ‘Cats to pad their lead in the bottom of the seventh.

After Hudson Brown drew a walk and Shaun Montoya was hit by a pitch, Hage returned to the plate with runners on second and third. Kentucky’s left fielder is close to becoming an automatic base hit every time, as he lifted a two-run double to left center field to drive in two more Wildcat runs.

Other than Lawrence and Hage however, the Wildcat offense was extremely quiet. This duo combined for five of Kentucky’s six hits on the day. The other hit was a Dylan Koontz RBI-single in the bottom of the eighth inning, which extended the Wildcat lead to five.

‘Cats survive ninth-inning scare

After McCay exited with one out in the fourth inning, Kentucky’s relievers held Hofstra hitless until the ninth-inning. Right-hander Simon Gregersen ran into some trouble, as Hofstra’s Luke Masiuk doubled and Trent Jenks singled to open the ninth.

Just trying to record the first out in the inning, Dylan Palmer lifted a Gregersen pitch down the left field line for a two-run triple. Suddenly it was a 7-4 game, and the Pride weren’t done scoring.

Second baseman Jake Harring followed Palmer with a groundball to second, allowing Palmer to score. Koontz however couldn’t handle the throw to first from Lawrence, making Harring safe. With no outs in the inning, Hofstra had a runner on first with no outs.

Gregersen however bounced back, sitting the next two batters down on a strikeout and a forced fly-out. After a walk to put runners on first and second, the right-hander got a big time strikeout to secure the win.

What’s next for Kentucky?

Following its series opening win, Kentucky will look to secure the series victory on Saturday. First pitch is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. EST at Kentucky Proud Park.