Kentucky battled back from a five-run, first-inning deficit to force extra innings before falling to 10-8 to No. 4 Georgia in 10 innings on Saturday afternoon at Kentucky Proud Park. The Bulldogs claimed the hard-fought series two games to one.
The Wildcats (16-12, 1-8 SEC) used a three-run home run from Ryan Shinn and solo shot from Jaren Shelby to tie the game at eight in the eighth inning, coming all the back after a grand slam put them in a 5-0 hole before their first at bat. Georgia (23-5, 7-2) was able to scratch out a pair of runs in the 10th inning without a hit, as a leadoff walk and back-to-back misplays on sacrifice bunt attempts ultimately proved the difference.
Still, the Cats played toe-to-toe with a top five team and had four players produce three hits on the day: Shelby, Shinn, Coltyn Kessler and Austin Schultz. Kessler cranked his first career home run to break the ice in the second inning for the Cats.
The Cats now will take to the road for an eight-road swing that goes through Louisville, Missouri, Lipscomb and Ole Miss over the next two weeks. The stretch opens Tuesday night at Jim Patterson Stadium in Louisville when the Cardinals host the Cats at 6 p.m. ET.
SCORING
Top 1st – Riley King singled through the left side and Aaron Schunk was hit by a pitch. L.J. Talley doubled to LCF, scoring King and moving Schunk to third. John Cable walked. Connor Tate hit a grand slam to LF. Georgia 5, UK 0.
Bottom 2nd – Coltyn Kessler homered to LCF. Georgia 5, UK 1.
Bottom 3rd – Austin Schultz beat out an infield hit and moved to second on a passed ball. Ryan Shinn doubled to RCF, scoring Schultz.Georgia 5, UK 2.
Bottom 4th – Marshall Gei singled through the left side and Zeke Lewis reached on a fielder’s choice. Both runners moved up on a wild pitch. Shinn walked. Gei and Lewis scored on a throwing error by the catcher. Georgia 5, UK 4.
Top 5th – King homered to LCF. Schunk singled to LF. Talley singled to RF, moving Schunk to third. Talley moved up to second on the throw. Cable doubled to RF, scoring Schunk and Talley. Georgia 8, UK 4.
Bottom 8th – Lewis and Schultz singled and scored on Shinn’s three-run home run to LCF. Jaren Shelby homered to LF. UK 8, Georgia 8.
Top 10th – Chaney Rogers walked to lead off the inning. Shane Marshall and Justin Maxwell each reached on fielding errors on SAC bunts to load the bases. Rogers scored on a wild pitch. Cam Shepherd walked to load the bases. Schunk hit a SAC fly to CF, Marshall scored. Georgia 10, UK 8.
NOTES
· Kentucky has scored in 92 consecutive games and 168 of the past 169 dating to the 2016 season. The lone shutout came in a seven-inning game. The current streak now is the the fifth-longest in school history.
· UK now is 13-5 at Kentucky Proud Park.
· Freshman IF Austin Schultz extended his reached base safely streak to 18 games with an infield single.
o He recorded his fourth career multi-hit game.
o His three hits tied his career-high.
· Sophomore C/IF Coltyn Kessler went 3-for-4 with a solo home run.
o He hit his first career home run with a solo shot in the second inning.
o The three hits tied his career high set earlier this season vs. Western Kentucky.
o Kessler recorded his sixth multi-hit game of the season and seventh career.
· Senior OF Ryan Shinn went 3-for-5 with a run, four RBI, double and home run.
o Shinn has 10 multi-hit games this season and 13 for his career.
o Shinn ranks in the top 10 nationally in doubles with 13.
o The four RBI are a career-high.
o He has 20 extra-base hits to lead the Cats.
ON DECK
Kentucky travels to rival Louisville on Tuesday night to begin an eight-game road trip. Live coverage can be found on ACC Extra/WatchESPN with audio coverage on UKathletics.com.
Follow along with the Cats on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, and on the web at UKathletics.com.
‑ GO CATS –
For more information contact:
Matt May
