On Friday night, the No. 11 Kentucky Wildcats bounced back from their worst loss of the season to secure a hard-fought 13-10 victory against top-ranked LSU at Alex Box Stadium. This remarkable performance came just one night after a run-rule defeat left the team overwhelmed.
Senior Chase Stanke, celebrating his birthday, played a vital role in the win with three hits and four RBIs, including a two-run home run and a pair of RBI singles. The entire team stepped up, with contributions coming from nearly every player.
The Wildcats’ record improved to 28-6 overall and 10-4 in the Southeastern Conference. Key players like Nolan McCarthy, Jackson Gray, and Emilien Pitre joined Stanke with three hits each, and the team managed a total of 14 hits. Pitcher Mason Moore showcased his skills in relief, while Darren Williams claimed the win and Ryder Giles secured six critical outs to earn the save.
A few noteworthy statistics for the Wildcats include a 35-9 record over their last 44 games dating back to the previous season, and a 19-10 record in their last 29 games against SEC opponents. They now hold a 14-18 record all-time versus No. 1-ranked teams and a 10-31-1 record all-time in Baton Rouge.
Under the leadership of Coach Nick Mingione, now in his seventh season, the Wildcats have scored in 332 of 339 games. They tallied five runs each in the fifth and seventh innings, marking the 26th and 27th instances of scoring four or more runs in an inning.
Key player performances included Emilien Pitre’s 3-for-5 game, which included a run and two RBIs, and Hunter Gilliam reaching 200 career hits. Outfielders Jackson Gray and Nolan McCarthy also showcased their abilities, with Gray going 3-for-6 with two runs and McCarthy extending his career-long 10-game hit streak.
Catcher Chase Stanke’s 3-for-4 performance with two runs, four RBIs, and a walk was especially memorable as he became the first Wildcat to hit a home run on his birthday since Luke Becker in 2018. Right-hander Ryder Giles earned his first save in blue with two innings of work, culminating in a game-ending double play.
The series between Kentucky and LSU will be decided on Saturday at 2 p.m. ET. Fans can tune in to the UK Sports Network (630 AM WLAP, locally) for the radio call or watch the live stream on SECN+.