In a thrilling showdown between two top 15 teams, No. 11 Kentucky came agonizingly close to defeating top-ranked and national title favorite LSU at Alex Box Stadium on Sunday afternoon. The Wildcats put up a valiant fight, but ultimately succumbed to a 7-6 loss in a back-and-forth affair.
LSU managed to score the final three runs of the game, sealing their victory with a bases-loaded hit by pitch with two outs in the bottom of the eighth inning. Prior to this, Kentucky had intentionally walked college baseball’s top prospect, Dylan Crews, who boasts a batting average of over .500 this season.
Reaching the midway point of Southeastern Conference play, the Cats now stand at 28-7 overall and 10-5 in league play.
Sunday’s game was delayed by an hour due to lightning-laced storms and heavy rain. Once the first pitch was finally thrown, LSU quickly jumped ahead with a 2-0 lead through three innings. However, Kentucky made a comeback, tying the game in the fifth inning. The teams continued to exchange blows, with Kentucky eventually claiming a 6-4 lead that LSU erased with a pair of two-out, 0-2 RBI in the seventh inning.
Some notable achievements and statistics from this game include:
- Kentucky has an impressive record of 35-10 over its last 45 games dating back to last season.
- The Wildcats are 19-11 in their last 30 games against SEC opponents.
- The team’s all-time record against No. 1-ranked teams stands at 14-19.
- Kentucky has a 10-32-1 all-time record in Baton Rouge.
In his seventh season as head coach, Nick Mingione now has a career record of 204-136. The Wildcats hold a 47-48 record in the month of April under his leadership. Mingione’s personal record against LSU is 4-10. Under his guidance, Kentucky has scored in 333 out of 340 games.
During the series, LSU scored 20 of its 33 runs from batters who reached base via walk, hit by pitch, or error. Kentucky, on the other hand, managed to score in all 11 innings in which the leadoff runner reached base.
Catcher Devin Burkes contributed to the Cats’ performance by going 2-for-4 with a run, walk, and stolen base. Outfielder Nolan McCarthy extended his reached-safely streak to 14 straight games.
Kentucky will host Xavier on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. ET. The game will be broadcast on the UK Sports Network (630 AM WLAP, locally) and streamed on SECN+.
