Kentucky run-rules Eastern Kentucky 16-0 in wind-riddled blowout

Kentucky blasted Eastern Kentucky 16-0 on Tuesday in the first of two games between the programs this week. The ‘Cats notched their fourth mercy-rule and third shutout victory of the season.

Both Patrick Herrera and Shaun Montoya recorded four RBIs, and were just two of eight Wildcat batters to record at least one. Dylan Koontz also recorded a season-high three RBIs on a double and a triple.

Freshman right-handed pitcher Nate Harris made his second start of the season and impressed once again. In four innings of work, Harris allowed just one hit and no runs with five strikeouts. Through two career starts (eight innings), the right-hander boasts a 2.25 ERA.

The Wildcat pitching staff, consisting of Harris, Hayden Smith, Tristan Hunter and Tommy Skelding, allowed just two hits in the win. 15 of the final 16 Colonel batters were retired (11 strikeouts) to cement another dominant performance by Dan Roszel’s staff.

The ‘Cats will look to sweep the season series against the Colonels on Wednesday at Kentucky Proud Park (weather permitting).

Players of the Game:

• 3B Patrick Herrera: Herrera went 2-2 at the plate on Tuesday and brought home a career-high four RBIs.
• CF Shaun Montoya: Montoya belted his first home run in a Kentucky uniform, a fifth inning grand slam which made it a 13-0 game. It was Kentucky’s third grand slam of the season.
• RHP Nate Harris: The freshman pitcher allowed just one hit and no runs in four innings. He struck out five batters.

Herrera gives the ‘Cats an early lead

It was a bit of a slow start for the Kentucky offense on Tuesday, as its first six batters were sat down in order to open the game by Eastern Kentucky right-hander Nathan Lawson.

Dylan Koontz however broke the ice for the ‘Cats, as the first baseman just beat out a double to put a runner on second with no outs in the top of the third inning. It was Koontz’s second double of the season. He would eventually score the first run of the game, as Patrick Herrera belted another double down the left line to score the run from second.

Kentucky’s first three hits of the game were doubles, as left fielder Cole Hage opened the top of the fourth inning with a ground-rule double, his team-leading fifth of the season.

Four-run fourth inning hands Kentucky comfortable pad

With Hage on third following a Tyler Bell groundout, Carson Hansen hit a hard-hit groundball right at Eastern Kentucky first baseman Kam Taylor. Taylor misplayed the ball, allowing Hage to score easily from third. This was just the first of four total runs scored in the fourth inning, as the bases were eventually loaded following drawn walks by Ethan Hindle and Dylan Koontz.

With the bases juiced, Patrick Herrera delivered once again for the ‘Cats. He hit a pop-up down the right field line, that got a little help from the 35 MPH winds in Richmond. EKU first baseman Taylor was once again unable to make a play on the ball, allowing Hansen and Hindle to score. Koontz would eventually score as well on a Luke Lawrence RBI-single, which made it a 5-0 lead for Kentucky.

Montoya notches third Wildcat Grand Slam of season

In the sport of baseball, grand slams are quite the rarity. However, Kentucky has belted three of them in its first 11 games.

It wasn’t a grand slam that opened the fifth inning however, as a solo shot from freshman Tyler Bell did just the trick. The freshman phenom notched his second home run of the season and kickstarted what would become a nine-run inning for the ‘Cats.

The home run was allowed by Eastern Kentucky right-handed pitcher Christian Howe, who spent 2022-2024 at Kentucky. He was replaced by right-hander Mitchell Berger, who would not experience any better luck than Howe did. In fact, it was much worse.

After loading the bases on two HBP and a walk, Berger bobbled a Raphael Pelletier grounder which allowed Carson Hansen to score from third base. The righty then walked Patrick Herrera and plunked Luke Lawrence, gifting Kentucky two more free runs. Berger’s nightmare outing finally came to an end after Shaun Montoya belted the Wildcats’ third grand slam of the season and Cole Hage put a cherry on top with a 410-foot solo shot.

GRAND SLAM SHAUN MONTOYA!!! (@shaunmontoya10)

📺https://t.co/0gdg6uX8k1 pic.twitter.com/3ES22D43WK

— Kentucky Baseball (@UKBaseball) March 5, 2025

Entering the inning, Kentucky led by five. By the end however, the lead was 14 runs.

Young pitching cements win

Redshirt sophomore left-hander Hayden Smith, freshman right-hander Tristan Hunter and redshirt freshman right-hander Tommy Skelding pitched the final three innings of relief following the departure of Nate Harris in the fifth.

A Dylan Koontz RBI-triple and a Luke Lawrence RBI-double in the sixth inning made it a 16-0 game, sealing what would be the Wildcats’ fourth mercy-rule victory of the season.

The Redshirt freshman Skelding finished the game on the mound for the ‘Cats, where he allowed just one hit to cement the win. 15 of the final 16 EKU batters were retired over the final five innings.

What’s next for Kentucky?

The ‘Cats and Colonels will run it back on Wednesday, but this time at Kentucky Proud Park in Lexington. First pitch is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. EST.