Kentucky Holds Off Upset-Minded Eastern Kentucky 5-2

In what was a much different game than Tuesday’s 10-0 drumming of the Colonels, Kentucky used an eighth-inning go-ahead double from Reuben Church to hold off Eastern Kentucky 5-2.

The Cats did not notch their first hit of the game until the eighth inning, courtesy of an Emilien Pitre single. They finished with four hits on the night.

Kentucky totaled nine hits and 10 runs in just seven innings of play on Tuesday.

With the win, Kentucky extends its winning streak to eight games and has matched its best start to a season under Nick Mingione at 12-1 (2018).

Cats and Kerns Trade Punches Early

For the 10th time in their first 13 games, Kentucky scored first Wednesday night.

Eastern Kentucky LHP Isaac Milburn walked the first three Wildcat batters of the night, setting the Cats up with an early opportunity to open the game up as they did on Tuesday.

On the second pitch he saw, red-hot Nick Lopez lifted a deep sacrifice-fly into right field, allowing Ryan Waldschmidt to tag up and score from third. With just one out and the bases re-loaded following a Devin Burkes HBP, it looked as if Kentucky could jumpstart another run-rule.

Milburn however struck out Gargett and Hindle, getting out of the jam. After a rocky start, Milburn, a Lexington Catholic product, finished with four strikeouts and no allowed hits in 2.0 innings pitched.

Just as Kentucky did in the top of the inning, the Colonels put multiple runners on base with no outs in the bottom of the first.

Colby Ott reached on an error and DJ Sullivan singled down the right field line, putting runners on the corners with no outs. Conner Davis grounded into a double play, but Ott was able to score from third.

The Cats and Kerns were tied through one.

Eastern Jumps Ahead in Sixth

After three three-up, three-down innings for both teams, Eastern finally capitalized in the sixth inning.

Following back-to-back singles and a HBP, bases were loaded with just one out for the Colonels. Max Williams, a product of Lafayette High School, hit a sharp grounder to Nick Lopez at first base. Lopez stepped on first and fired home for the potential double play, but the throw sailed over the head of catcher Devin Burkes.

EKU’s Colby Ott slid home safely, giving the Kerns an improbable 2-1 lead in the sixth inning.

Reuben Church Delivers

After failing to record a hit through the first seven innings, Emilien Pitre notched Kentucky’s first base knock of the game with a leadoff single in the eighth.

Pitre quickly advanced to third on a passed ball and a failed pickoff attempt, putting the game-tying run just 90 feet away from home.

Patrick Herrera walked, putting runners on the corners. Nick Lopez, looking to deliver once again for the Cats, grounded into a fielder’s choice which scored Pitre from third. At last, the Cats had tied this game back up.

Devin Burkes singled and Kyuss Gargett drew a walk, loading the bases with just one out for Reuben Church, who pinch-hit for Ty Crittenberger.

Church, who entered the game just 1-11 at the plate on the season, delivered the biggest hit of his season. The senior ripped a two-run double off the left field wall, propelling the Cats to their first lead of the day. Church just barely missed out on a grand slam.

The go-ahead double for Reuben Church: pic.twitter.com/feEjHBinu3

— Daniel Hager (@DanielHagerKSR) March 7, 2024

Kentucky Holds off Upset-Bid

The Cats tacked on an insurance run in the top of the ninth courtesy of Nick Lopez’s second sacrifice fly of the game.

RHP Trey Pooser, who entered in the eighth inning, struck out four of his six batters faced to cement the Wildcat victory.

The Bat Cats will be back in action on Friday, when they welcome Kennesaw State to Kentucky Proud Park for a three-game weekend series. With a win on Friday, Kentucky would be off to their best start to a season in the Nick Mingione era (13-1).