Magdiel Cotto, pitching staff struggle as Kentucky drops Arkansas series

The Kentucky Baseball pitching staff allowed runs in five of the first six innings as the Bat ‘Cats dropped another one against the No. 3 Razorbacks, this time by a score of 9-3.

Pitching still can’t get it going for the ‘Cats

For a season full of unencouraging performances from the Kentucky staff, Saturday was a real head-scratcher.

Magdiel Cotto got the start on Saturday night as he usually has this year. The sophomore struggled on the mound from the jump. He allowed a two-run double to Robert Moore in the first inning, giving the ‘Cats a multi-run hole to claw out of. He then gave up a solo shot to Braydon Webb in the second and was subsequently pulled before finishing the second inning. Cotto was obviously struggling, but given the up-and-down nature of the Kentucky bullpen so far this season, it was somewhat surprising to see head coach Nick Mingione pull the starter after only 35 pitches. With all that, Cotto still raised his season ERA to a 8.22.

The ‘Cats brought in Ryan Hagenow from there. The decision backfired though. Hagenow gave up a single and then a bomb to Peyton Stovall with his first two batters as the Wildcats were facing a 5-2 deficit after two innings.

Following a wild pitch that allowed the Razorback runner to reach second base in the third, an RBI single that bounced off the glove of Chase Estep allowed the sixth Arkansas run to come across the plate. An error by Jake Plastiak allowed the bases to load up in the fourth. Hagenow then walked in two consecutive batters to make it a six-run game before he was pulled.

Daniel Harper got things under control after coming in relief. The graduate student went 2.1 innings of one-run ball to slow things down. Jackson Nove went two scoreless innings to finish off the contest.

Bats fail to produce in Fayetteville

It’s tough to come back when the pitching staff keeps giving up runs, but the Bat ‘Cats didn’t do too much to help out the cause on Saturday night. They were only able to muster up five hits in the game despite having men in scoring positions multiple times.

After failing to capitalize with such conditions in the first, Kentucky broke through with their first two runs in the second inning. The Wildcats were able to get men on the corners with no outs. RBI singles by Alonzo Rubalcaba and Ryan Ritter were able to get a couple runs across the board, but that was it.

Hunter Jump launched a solo shot off the building in right field for his second of the season in the sixth. The home run made it a five-run game.

OFF THE BUILDING!!!@hunterjumpp lines a #BigBlueBomb to RF!

Watch on SECN+ pic.twitter.com/BQMwapW4ct

— Kentucky Baseball (@UKBaseball) March 20, 2022

Kentucky looks to salvage one game against the Razorbacks on Sunday with a midday getaway game. First pitch is set for 1 p.m. EST and will be broadcasted on the SEC Network+.