No. 23 Kentucky baseball turned their 2025 home opener into a gridiron-style thrashing on February 25, pounding Evansville 24-3 in seven innings at Kentucky Proud Park before 2,880 roaring fans. The Wildcats (5-1) racked up the sixth-most runs in school history, the most in 11 years, and the highest ever in the park’s seven-year run—outscoring every Power 4 opponent the Kentucky football team faced in 2024, where the Cats’ peak was 20 points against Ole Miss and Florida. Big Blue Nation watched a baseball blowout that felt more like a football rout—we recap a record night that set the tone for a homestand.
A Football Score on the Diamond
Kentucky wasted no time, erupting for seven runs in the first inning—Dylan Koontz’s first UK homer, a 416-foot blast, capped a frame sparked by Devin Burkes’ two-run double (UKAthletics.com). The onslaught ended with a nine-run sixth, sealing the run-rule win over the Purple Aces (1-6). Kentucky football’s 2024 Power 4 slate topped out at 20 points two times the past year—the baseball Cats’ 24 runs in seven innings dwarfed that, tying the sixth-highest single-game mark in program history.
Senior catcher Devin Burkes stole the show, going 4-for-5 with three doubles, four RBIs, five runs, and a stolen base—tying Chase Estep and Ryan Johnson for the most runs scored in a game under coach Nick Mingione (UKAthletics.com). His three doubles matched a Mingione-era record, pushing him to 38th on UK’s career hits list. “Burkes was a one-man wrecking crew,” Mingione said post-game (UK Sports Network), echoing BBN’s awe as Cole Hage added a 433-foot homer and a double, finishing 3-for-4 with three runs. Freshman Nate Harris debuted with four innings, allowing two runs for his first collegiate win, while Tristan Hunter and Tommy Skelding tossed scoreless relief frames.
Why It Matters: Momentum and Mayhem
This wasn’t just a win—it was a statement. After splitting a weekend series at Lipscomb and sweeping Belmont (23-6 over two games), Kentucky’s 24-run outburst—featuring 17 hits and six stolen bases from 11 players—marked their third run-rule victory in six games. Football’s struggles against Power 4 foes make baseball’s dominance a BBN balm—24 runs outpaced every 2024 gridiron effort against major conference teams.
Standout Moments and What’s Next
Kentucky’s first inning set the tone—Koontz’s blast followed Burkes’ double and a balk scoring Carson Hansen (UKAthletics.com). The sixth’s nine-run blitz, with Hage and Burkes doubling back-to-back, cemented history—most runs in Kentucky Proud Park’s seven years (UK Sports Network). Twelve Cats scored, 11 hit, and Harris’ debut steadied a staff easing into form. Next, Kentucky faces Morehead State Wednesday at 4:00 PM EST—another chance to pick up a home win. For WBN fans, it’s a baseball bonanza football could only dream of—can BBN ride this wave?