Kentucky run-rules Evansville 24-3 in dominant home opener
For the first time since it defeated Oregon State in the 2024 Lexington Super Regional, Kentucky Baseball returned to Kentucky Proud Park on Tuesday afternoon. The ‘Cats run-ruled Evansville 24-3 in seven innings to improve to 5-1 on the season.
Per UK statistician Corey Price, Kentucky’s 24 runs scored were its most scored in a game since it scored 27 against UT-Martin on March 10, 2007. Their 24 runs were the fifth most scored in a game in program history.
After a concerning start to the season for the Kentucky offense, the runs and hits have begun to pour in. The ‘Cats totaled 24 runs and 17 hits in Tuesday’s win and have now scored 45 runs over the span of their last three games (all wins).
“We did a little bit of everything,” Nick Mingione said postgame. “You saw our bunts, you saw our base running, you saw the stolen bases, you saw us put balls in play, you saw us situationally hit. It was our offense at it’s best.”
Kentucky scored at least three runs in four of its six innings at the plate, bringing its total on the day to three touchdowns and a field goal. The ‘Cats run-ruled opponents in just five games last year, but have already accomplished that feat three times in their first six games this season.
13 Wildcat batters totaled at least one RBI, but Devin Burkes (four) and Dylan Koontz (three) led the way in the blowout win.
Players of the Game:
- C Devin Burkes: Burkes had a monster day at the plate on Tuesday, going 4-5 with three doubles and four RBI. It is Burkes’ first four-RBI game since May 14, 2023 vs. Tennessee.
- LF Cole Hage: Hage’s hot-start to his Wildcat career continued in Kentucky’s home opener. The left fielder went 3-4 with a solo home run, a double and an RBI.
- SS Tyler Bell: The freshman stayed hot with two doubles and an RBI against the Purple Aces.
‘Cats put up six runs in massive first inning
Kentucky came out hot in its first game of the season at Kentucky Proud Park, plating seven runs before the end of the opening frame.
Luke Lawrence, Shaun Montoya and Cole Hage opened the game with back-to-back-to-back singles, loading the bases before an out was recorded. Following a Tyler Bell strikeout, the red-hot Carson Hansen trotted up to the plate. Hansen, who was moved up to the five spot after opening the season 4-5 with two home runs and two singles, had a chance to belt his second grand slam of the season.
Hansen hit a hard grounder to Evansville first baseman Jake McGhee, which he fielded cleanly. However, the throw to second was not clean. The throw sailed over the head of Evansville second baseman Cal McGinnis into center field, allowing Lawrence and Montoya to score easily.
Devin Burkes was back in the lineup at his catcher position on Tuesday after getting a day of rest of Sunday. On a 1-2 count, the team’s captain ripped a two-run double down the left field line, bringing in two more runs. Burkes was followed by first baseman Dylan Koontz, who belted his first home run in a Kentucky uniform to drive in the fifth and sixth runs of the opening frame. Koontz’ long ball traveled 416 feet.
Luke Lawrence capped off the big inning with an RBI sac-fly, bringing home Kentucky’s seventh run of the opening inning. Before you could settle into your seat at Kentucky Proud Park with your $5 hot dog and $8 beer, the ‘Cats had jumped out to a 7-0 lead.
Cole Hage belts second Big Blue Bomb of season
Evansville scored its first two runs of the game in the top of the third inning to make it a 7-2 game, but a fielding error by the Purple Aces in the bottom half of the inning gave the ‘Cats their eighth run on the day.
The Wildcat offense continued to rake in the fifth, adding three more runs to their lead. Left fielder Cole Hage opened the bottom of the fifth with a solo home run, his second of the season and first at Kentucky Proud Park. Hage’s long ball traveled 433 feet.
The hits just kept on coming, as Tyler Bell and Devin Burkes followed Hage’s home run with doubles. Burkes’ double drove in a run, his third of the game. Kentucky’s catcher would end up scoring on an RBI sac-fly from Dylan Koontz, giving the ‘Cats their 11th run of the game.
Top 10
- 1New
Kirby Smart avoids fine
Florida upset won't cost UGA
- 2
Stillwater stunner
Ok. State upsets Iowa State
- 3Hot
Tyrese Proctor
Injury update on Duke star
- 4
Bruce Pearl
Weighs in on Big Ten vs. SEC football
- 5
Paul Finebaum
No SEC Championship Game?
Get the On3 Top 10 to your inbox every morning
By clicking "Subscribe to Newsletter", I agree to On3's Privacy Notice, Terms, and use of my personal information described therein.
Freshman makes first career start
Freshman right-handed pitcher Nate Harris made his first career appearance and start for Kentucky on Tuesday.
Harris, who was the 286th ranked player overall and ninth ranked player in the state of Illinois (Class of 2024), pitched four innings against Evansville. The righty allowed three hits and two earned runs with two strikeouts and one walk.
“I was really proud of Nate Harris,” Mingione said following the win. “I thought the best thing that happened to him was in the second inning, he bent but he did not break. He gave up two but he didn’t give up three, and then he came out in the fourth and had a nine pitch fourth inning. Then it was time to get him out.”
Wildcats finish off the run-rule victory
The red-hot Kentucky offense put its foot on the gas in the fifth inning, scoring four more runs to cement the run-rule victory.
Cole Hage and Tyler Bell opened the inning with back-to-back doubles, scoring Hage from second base. The Columbia transfer has reached base safely in 18 of his first 26 at-bats this season with 10 hits, six walks, and two HBP. He’s belted two home runs, two doubles and drove in six RBI.
The doubles kept on coming, as Devin Burkes notched his third of the game to drive in his fourth RBI. Tuesday marked Burkes’ first four-RBI game since May 14, 2023 vs. Tennessee. Two more runs scored as Carson Hansen trotted home safely on a balk and Burkes scored on an Ethan Hindle RBI-groundout.
The Purple Aces were mercifully put to bed following a nine-run Kentucky sixth inning, bringing the Wildcat run total to three touchdowns and a field goal. The sixth was highlighted by bases loaded walk, a balk, a passed ball, and RBI-singles from James McCoy, Kyuss Gargett, Griffin Cameron, and Hudson Brown.
To keep it short and sweet, it was nothing but a complete and utter Kentucky domination in its first home game of the season.
What’s next for Kentucky?
The ‘Cats improve to 5-1 and will be back in action on Wednesday against Morehead State at Kentucky Proud Park. First pitch is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. EST.
Discuss This Article
Comments have moved.
Join the conversation and talk about this article and all things Kentucky Sports in the new KSR Message Board.
KSBoard