Kentucky baseball soared back into the rankings, sitting at 17th in the country after an impressive 3-0 sweep of No. 3 South Carolina.
The Wildcats broke a 4-game losing streak and an even longer losing stretch, dominating the Gamecocks with 30 total runs scored in the series.
Game one went Kentucky’s way from the start. The Wildcats jumped out to a 2-0 lead after two innings and never looked back, never trailing in a 7-3 win. Four Cats had two hits, while Hunter Gilliam provided the runs with RBIs.
Game two was an offensive showcase, as Kentucky baseball went for 16 hits in a 14-7 win. Émilien Pitre and Ryan Waldschmidt each had three hits and Jase Felker had three RBIs. Every Wildcat in the starting lineup finished with at least one hit.
The series’ final game showed what Kentucky baseball is capable of on the mound. Senior Zack Lee pitched into the 7th inning, allowing two runs and striking out 12 Gamecocks. Gilliams was 3-for-3 at the plate and the Cats picked up their third series sweep of the season.
Kentucky baseball schedule for week of Mon., May 8:
- Tue., May 9: vs. Tennessee Tech (17-27, 8-10 in OVC) at 6:30 p.m.
- How to watch: SEC Network Plus
- Fri., May 12: at No. 23 Tennessee (32-16, 12-12) at 6:30 p.m.
- How to watch: SEC Network Plus
- Sat., May 13: at No. 23 Tennessee at Noon
- How to watch: SEC Network
- Sun., May 14: at No. 23 Tennessee at 1 p.m.
- How to watch: SEC Network Plus
It’s a big week for the Wildcats, who with a strong performance against the Volunteers, can move closer to the top four in the SEC standings. That would result in a bye in the SEC Tournament. Kentucky only has one other series with Florida before they close out the regular season slate.
The SEC baseball tournament starts on May 23 in Hoover, Alabama. We will update you throughout the postseason.