UK Baseball's comeback bid falls short in 8-6 loss to LSU

@UKBaseball

In the early stages, Kentucky’s second game of the weekend vs. LSU went just like the first with the Tigers jumping out to a big early lead. However, the end result was still the same for the ‘Bat Cats.

Neither team scored in the first inning, but LSU got hot in the top of the second. The Tigers generated a pair of runs after Kentucky pitcher Ryan Hagenow walked three and hit another guy in four straight at-bats to advance LSU to home plate without even putting a ball in play.

Kentucky went scoreless at the bottom of the inning and LSU came out striking again in the third. Kentucky’s new pitcher didn’t seem to make much of a difference as LSU got batters on quickly and often. With a few runners on, a base hit scored one more for the Tigers and a sacrifice fly made it 4-0 heading into Kentucky’s side of the inning.

The Bat ‘Cats finally put themselves on the board in the third on a solo home run from Cam Hill, but that was all UK could muster before sending the defense back out.

Big boy blast from @Hill37A!

Watch on SECN+ now.#WeAreUK pic.twitter.com/MCkvj9NfIW

— Kentucky Baseball (@UKBaseball) April 10, 2021

At the top of the fourth…LSU sent two more runners across home plate. This time, it was Gavin Dugas who sailed a solo homer over the Kentucky Proud fence to open the inning’s scoring up. A few batters later, a Tiger single scored another runner to put LSU up 6-1 heading into the bottom of the fourth, where Kentucky went scoreless.

In the fifth inning, at least LSU didn’t score two more runs–just one. Another single advanced a runner home and the Cats were in a 7-1 hole up to bat in the fifth.

Neither team would score again until the seventh, where Kentucky finally struck gold. Cam Hill was the man again to get things going for what would be a huge run. He singled to left field and scored Chase Estep. A few batters later, Kentucky had the bases loaded and LSU threw a wild pitch, advancing the runners and scoring sophomore Ryan Ritter. 7-3 Tigers.

Then came a big single to right-center field by T.J. Collett to drive Austin Schultz and Cam Hill home and cut the lead to two at 7-5. UK grounded into a double play shortly after but had pulled themselves right back into the game with a four-run burst.

UK pitcher Sean Harney had been solid during his innings thus far and held serve at the top of the eight to give the ‘Cats another crack at tying the ball game.

⚠️ 𝐇𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐲 𝐚𝐭 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤 ⚠️@Harney17 is dealing in relief. pic.twitter.com/ii8VrVz3Dp

— Kentucky Baseball (@UKBaseball) April 11, 2021

Kentucky got the bases loaded again and Cam Hill scored yet again, this time on a fielder’s choice. ‘Cats down one with one out and the bases stacked. Then came deflation: two popouts to end the inning.

In the top of the ninth, Harney finally cracked and gave up a run to push the lead back to two but that was all the damage done. In the bottom of the ninth, UK was only able to put one runner on and ultimately failed in their impressive comeback effort. LSU wins, 8-6.

LSU takes the series after winning the opening two games but the two clubs will play again tomorrow at 2 p.m. at Kentucky Proud Park to close it out.