Kentucky swept for first time this season following 6-1 loss to Mississippi State

Kentucky suffered its first sweep of the season on Sunday following its 6-1 loss to Mississippi State in the series finale. Following the loss, Kentucky falls to 25-20 (10-14) and has now lost four consecutive games for the third time this season.

The ‘Cats are now tied with Mississippi State for 11th place in the SEC with two weekends to go. Over the span of just one week, Kentucky has fallen from No. 29 to No. 38 in the RPI rankings due to its recent skid.

The Wildcat offense totaled just six hits on the game, courtesy of a Carson Hansen triple and singles from James McCoy (x2), Tyler Bell, Luke Lawrence and Ryan Schwartz. Its lone run was driven home on a Griffin Cameron RBI sac-fly.

Sophomore left-hander Ben Cleaver enjoyed another strong outing on Sunday, as he allowed just three hits and struck out three batters in 5 1/3 innings of work. He however put two runners on base prior to his exit, both of which went on to score to bring his run count on the day to four. His ERA rose slightly to 3.32, which now ranks ninth in the SEC.

One of the lone bright spots had to be the relief appearance from junior left hander Ethan Walker, who struck out four of his six batters faced.

Kentucky falls *just short* of early lead

Kentucky’s offense got off to what was almost an extremely strong start in the top of the first inning, as Carson Hansen just missed a two-out solo home run. His hard hit ball bounced off the top of the left field fence and back into fair play for Hansen’s first triple of the season, Kentucky’s fifth of the weekend series.

James McCoy followed Hansen with another hard-hit ball to left center field, but it was robbed at the fence by Mississippi State left fielder Bryce Chance. McCoy’s home run would have been his second in his last four games.

GOLD GLOVE BEANS 🫘

📺: https://t.co/Stlij3kMlb#HailState🐶 pic.twitter.com/kSIeUzRCyn

— Mississippi State Baseball (@HailStateBB) May 4, 2025

The game remained scoreless until the bottom of the third inning, where Mississippi State drove in two runs via unconventional ways. It’s first run scored on a fielder’s choice hit by shortstop Sawyer Reeves, and its second run was driven in by a RBI sac-fly from third baseman Ace Reese.

Scoring in these ways had been Kentucky’s bread and butter this season, but the Bulldogs had stolen that blueprint in the third.

Bulldogs extend lead in the sixth inning

After what had been another great performance from Ben Cleaver on the mound, the sophomore left-hander put two on with one out in the bottom of the sixth. He was replaced by left-hander Evan Byers, who was immediately dinged for two base hits.

Left fielder Bryce Chance reached on a bunt single to load the bases, and catcher Joe Powell drove home two runs with a two-run single to left field. Right fielder Ross Highfill capped off the three-run frame with an RBI-groundout, extending Mississippi State’s lead to four runs through six.

It looked as if Kentucky was going to respond in the top of the seventh, as it put runners on first and second with just one out in the frame. It was however held scoreless once again, bringing its weekend total to 3-25 with runners in scoring position.

Mississippi State finishes off sweep

Left fielder Bryce Chance extended Mississippi State’s lead to five runs with an RBI sac-fly in the bottom of the seventh, putting the Bulldogs one step closer to the series sweep.

Kentucky’s offense was extremely disappointing in the series, and this was capped off by a pitiful effort in the series finale. Now trailing by five runs, the ‘Cats totaled just one hit over the final two innings and dropped its 14th SEC game of the season.

Devin Burkes would have had a solo home run in the top of the ninth, but center fielder Michael O’Brien robbed him with an amazing grab at the wall.

Tip of the cap. Amazing catch. pic.twitter.com/qpHM6DsBck

— Daniel Hager (@DanielHagerKSR) May 4, 2025

With Florida, Texas A&M and Mississippi State nipping at Kentucky’s in the SEC standings, the ‘Cats are in real danger of falling from a No. 11 seed to a potential No. 14 seed due to its skid.

What’s next for Kentucky?

Kentucky will look to break its four-game skid on Friday when it opens a home series against No. 21 Oklahoma. First pitch for that series opener is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. EST.