Kentucky Loses SEC Home Opener to No. 13 Texas A&M

UKathletics

After getting swept to open up SEC play, Kentucky looked to get in the winning column in conference play against Texas A&M this evening. Unfortunately, the Bat Cats are still winless in conference play as they lose the SEC opener at Kentucky Proud Park 5-3. After jumping out to a 3-0 lead in the first three innings and Zack Thompson on the mound, Kentucky looked to be in their bag early. But, Braden Shewmake was Kentucky's Kryptonite. In the top of the fifth, the All-American for the Aggies hit a two-run shot to tie the game at three. The Cats pulled Thompson in the seventh for Carson Coleman. Then, Shewmake struck again when he gave Texas A&m their first lead of the game on an RBI single. The Aggies would tack on one more in the seventh to take a 5-3 lead. Shewmake finished the game with three hits and a home run with three RBIs. Thompson ended the day giving up three runs on seven hits through six innings of work. He also had nine strikeouts in the no-decision. Kentucky would get the tying run to the plate in the ninth, but the Cats weren't able to get it done as they lose 5-3 to drop to 14-8 on the year. Coleman was credited with the loss. Despite the loss, Ryan Shinn had a career day against the Aggies as he was the only offense for the boys in blue tonight. In the first Shinn put the Cats up early with a solo shot in the first. Shinn wasn't done as he went yard again in the fifth inning for a two-run shot to be the first player to have a multi-home run game in Kentucky Proud Park.

Bullpen work being done by @TheRealShinny with this #BigBlueBomb! https://t.co/fvIC0bDwRB pic.twitter.com/xnOYkHs5OS
— Kentucky Baseball (@UKBaseball) March 22, 2019

Kentucky had plenty of opportunities to help Shinn, as the Cats left runners in scoring position four times in the loss. While Kentucky struggled on offense, Jaren Shelby had the play of the night for the Cats. Expect this play to be on Sports Center tomorrow morning.

There are no words. @Jumungi_Soriano with the absurd catch. Pay attention to how far he went to go get this ball. If this ain't #SCTop10 then nothing is. #WeAreUK @NCAACWS
Watch: https://t.co/fvIC0bDwRB pic.twitter.com/oCxR0jUYue — Kentucky Baseball (@UKBaseball) March 22, 2019