The Kentucky Wildcats evened up their weekend series against the fourth-ranked Georgia Bulldogs with an impressive 10-7 win at Foley Field in Athens. With the victory, Kentucky improves to 14-3 (1-1 SEC), while Georgia falls to 20-2 (1-1 SEC).
Offensive Outburst Leads the Way
The Wildcats’ offense was firing on all cylinders, producing 13 hits and 10 runs against a tough Georgia pitching staff. The bats got hot early, with Kentucky putting up runs in four of the first five innings, including a four-run explosion in the third inning.
Patrick Herrera led the charge, going 1-for-2 with a home run, three runs scored, and an RBI. Tyler Bell was equally clutch, delivering a 2-for-5 performance with three RBIs, while Cole Hage showcased his consistency, going 3-for-6 with two RBIs.
Luke Lawrence also made his presence felt, scoring two runs and driving in three while drawing a walk and being hit by a pitch.
Kentucky’s Pitching Staff Does Enough
On the mound, the Wildcats used a committee approach. Ben Cleaver got the start, pitching 4.2 innings while allowing five hits, four runs (three earned), and striking out six.
Nile Adcock followed with a brief but effective appearance, facing just two batters and retiring both. Scott Rouse took it the rest of the way, pitching the final four innings and allowing three runs while striking out five. His effort earned him the save and locked down Kentucky’s first SEC win of the season.
Georgia’s Pitching Struggles
The Bulldogs’ pitching staff simply couldn’t keep the Wildcats’ offense at bay. They cycled through five pitchers in a game that saw Kentucky hitters draw seven walks and strike out nine times.
Matthew Hoskins (L, 2-1): 1.0 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 2 K, 37 Pitches
Jordan Stephens: 1.1 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 1 K, 33 Pitches
Alton Davis II: 1.1 IP, 4 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 3 K, 46 Pitches
Zach Brown: 3.2 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 3 K, 64 Pitches
Davis Chastain: 1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K, 14 Pitches
Despite Zach Brown’s solid relief performance, the damage had already been done. Kentucky’s relentless lineup exploited Georgia’s early pitching struggles, building a lead that would prove insurmountable.
Georgia’s Power Display Not Enough
The Bulldogs certainly didn’t go down quietly. Their offense was powered by three home runs, including two from Slate Alford and one from Ryland Zaborowski, who now has an impressive 12 homers on the year.
Despite the power display, Georgia’s pitching couldn’t contain Kentucky’s relentless attack, particularly early in the game.
Up Next: The Rubber Match
The series is tied 1-1, and it all comes down to Sunday’s rubber match at 1:00 PM ET in Athens. Kentucky will look to build on the momentum of Saturday’s win and secure a marquee series victory against a top-five opponent.
How to Watch Game 3
Fans can catch the deciding game of the series on ESPN+(click here for the stream direct to Kentucky). You can watch via subscription or by signing into the ESPN app on your phone, tablet, or smart TV with your TV provider. Note that not all TV providers offer access.