Kentucky holds off Wofford 2-1 to claim weekend series victory

In what was a pitching dominated game, Kentucky held off Wofford 2-1 to bounce back from Saturday’s loss and win the weekend series.

Left-hander Ethan Walker and right-hander Scott Rouse pitched the entirety of the game, holding Wofford to just five hits and one unearned run. Kentucky totaled just six hits and two runs, courtesy of a Devin Burkes RBI-single and a Patrick Herrera RBI sac-fly.

The ‘Cats improve to 12-2 and have yet to lose consecutive games this season.

Players of the Game:

• LHP Ethan Walker: Walker had his best start of the season, as he allowed just two hits and no earned runs with five strikeouts in five innings of work.
• C Devin Burkes: Burkes broke out of his 1-15 slump with an RBI-single on Sunday.
• RHP Scott Rouse: In four innings of relief, Rouse held Wofford to just three hits and no runs.

Ethan Walker enjoys best start of season

Entering Sunday’s start, left-hander Ethan Walker hadn’t had the best two starts to open the season.

In just 6 2/3 innings of work, Walker boasted a 6.75 ERA with five strikeouts in starts against Belmont and Hofstra. Against Wofford on Sunday however, the Longwood transfer was dominant.

He faced 17 total batters in five innings and retired 15 of them. He allowed just two hits, both of which were singles. Wofford scored a run off of Walker, but it was unearned. The Terriers first run of the game, which came in the top of the second inning, was scored on an errant throw to third by Kentucky catcher Raphael Pelletier.

By the end of his start, his season ERA had lowered from 6.75 to 3.86. Former Wildcat Hunter Gilliam, who also transferred from Longwood to Kentucky, was high on Walker this offseason.

“I think he’s gonna be a really good fit man,” Gilliam said. “Similar to me where he was at a place where he didn’t get to win very much. Now he gets to be around a place where winning is all that matters. Excited to see him get the experience to win and the BBN experience.”

‘Cats slowly crawl to lead

It was yet another slow offensive day for Kentucky, who scored just four runs in Saturday’s loss. Wofford held its 1-0 lead until the bottom of the fourth inning, where the ‘Cats scratched across their first run of the game.

Following two quick outs from Tyler Bell and Shaun Montoya, Patrick Herrera reached first on an infield single and James McCoy drew a walk. This put runners on first and second with two outs, bringing up DH Devin Burkes.

Burkes, who entered Sunday just 1-15 in his last 15 at-bats, snapped out of his slump with an RBI-single up the middle to score Herrera from second. The game stayed tied at 1-1 until the bottom of the sixth inning, where Herrera continued to put his fingerprint on the game.

Tyler Bell bounced back with a leadoff double and was eventually moved to third on a Shaun Montoya sac-bunt. With Bell 90-feet away from home, Patrick Herrera lifted a deep RBI sac-fly to center field that nearly got over the head of Wofford center fielder Tyler Bak. Nonetheless, Bell was able to score to give Kentucky a 2-1 lead.

Rouse leads Wildcats to series victory

Following the departure of Walker in the sixth inning, right-hander Scott Rouse pitched the final four innings of relief. Kentucky didn’t score any runs in that span, but that was no problem for Rouse.

The Terriers threatened to tie the game in the top of the eighth inning, as runners reached first and second with just one out. Rouse however forced a double play to get out of the jam, keeping Wofford at just one.

He returned to the mound in the ninth inning, where a bit of controversy occurred. With one out in the inning, it appeared as if Rouse had plunked Wofford’s Tyler Hare. After review however, it was ruled that Hare leaned into the pitch and was ruled out.

Kentucky’s right-hander then recorded the third out of the inning, cementing the win for the ‘Cats.

What’s next for Kentucky?

Kentucky will clash with Northern Illinois in its final non-conference game before SEC play begins on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. EST.