Kentucky holds off Florida 7-5 in Sunday series finale
No. 4 Kentucky held off Florida 7-5 in 10 innings in the series finale on Sunday, securing a first-round bye in the upcoming SEC Tournament. Kentucky improves to 33-0 when leading after the seventh inning and is now 3-1 in extra-inning games this season.
The Cats gave up a ninth-inning lead for the second time in the series, but scored four runs in the 10th inning to secure the victory.
With the win, Kentucky improves to 37-11 (20-7), tying its program record for conference wins in a season (20). Whether Tennessee wins or loses its series finale against Vanderbilt on Sunday, Kentucky will remain tied/solely atop the SEC with just three games to go.
The Cats also notched their first series victory over Florida since 2016, a week after they notched their first series victory over Arkansas since 2012. Kentucky is all about ending streaks and making history in 2024.
Kentucky’s final three conference games are against Vanderbilt, while Tennessee finishes its season against No. 13 South Carolina. Expect a hectic race to the finish in the nation’s premier baseball conference.
Players of the Game:
- RHP Mason Moore: Moore pitched 6 2/3 innings Sunday, allowing just three hits and two earned runs while striking out seven batters.
- 3B Patrick Herrera: Herrera’s three-run double in the 10th inning propelled the Cats to a four-run lead.
- LF Ryan Waldschmidt: Waldschmidt went 1-4 with an RBI on Sunday along with a diving grab to rob Jac Caglianone of a base hit in the sixth inning. Waldschmidt has now totaled at least one hit in 17 of his last 19 games.
Cats jump out to early 3-0 lead
Kentucky scored just one run in Saturday’s 10-1 loss to Florida. The Cats came out on Sunday however and scored three runs in just two innings.
After failing to secure a hit in the first inning, Mitch Daly opened the second with a double to left field, securing Kentucky’s first hit of the game off Florida left-hander Jac Caglianone. The ball just bounced off the glove of Florida left fielder Tyler Shelnut, allowing Daly to take second. He then took third on a passed ball, putting a Wildcat runner just 90 feet away from home with no outs.
Ryan Nicholson, who has belted 12 home runs in his last 17 games, had a big opportunity to give Kentucky an early lead. That he did, although he had a bit of help.
Nicholson lofted a high pop-fly to right center field, forcing Florida center fielder Jaylen Guy and right fielder Hayden Yost to converge. The two outfielders collided, allowing Nicholson’s pop-up to drop in. Nicholson took second while Daly scored, giving the Cats a 1-0 lead.
Guy and Yost have not played in the outfielder together prior to Sunday, as outfield changes had to be made after Florida right fielder Ty Evans broke his wrist in Saturday’s game.
Two more Wildcat runs scored in the inning on a Patrick Herrera RBI-infield single and a Ryan Waldschmidt RBI-groundout. Kentucky took a 3-0 lead in the second.
Moore gets out of tense bases loaded jam
Kentucky right-hander Mason Moore got into his first bit of trouble of the day in the third inning, when he put runners on second and third with two outs in the inning. Up came Jac Caglianone, who was intentionally walked four times in Saturday’s game.
Nick Mingione made the decision to intentionally walk Caglianone for the sixth time this weekend, loading the bases for Florida first baseman Luke Heyman. Heyman homered twice in Saturday’s game, making Mingione’s decision extremely gutsy.
Moore however struck out Heyman on a 3-2 count, getting the Cats out of the high-risk inning and keeping their 3-0 lead safe.
Kentucky had a chance to add to its lead in the fifth inning, as Patrick Herrera stood on third with Nick Lopez up to bat. Herrera however tried to steal home and was thrown out, ending the inning. A failed opportunity to add to their lead came back to bite them later in the game.
Pitcher’s duel dominates day
Florida left-hander Jac Caglianone made the final home start of his Gator career on Sunday, as he’s almost certainly off to be a top five pick in the 2024 MLB Draft.
Caglianone went 6 1/3 innings, allowing just two hits and one earned run while striking out three batters. He exited after throwing 101 pitches to a resounding ovation from the Florida faithful.
Kentucky right-hander Mason Moore dominated the Florida lineup as well, allowing just two earned runs and three hits in 6 2/3 innings pitched. He allowed a two-run double to Florida pinch-hitter Ashton Wilson with two outs in the seventh, ending his excellent outing.
Moore’s SEC ERA lowered from 6.53 to 6.04 following Sunday’s start. He was replaced by right-hander Robert Hogan, who forced a groundout to end the inning, preserving Kentucky’s 3-2 lead through seven.
Cats surrender ninth inning lead
Hogan returned to the mound in the ninth after a quick eighth inning and forced a groundout before facing Florida senior Tyler Shelnut. Shelnut delivered on Senior Day, belting a solo home run over the left field fence to knot the game at three apiece.
After allowing a single to his next batter, Hogan was replaced by left-hander Jackson Nove. Nove forced a fielder’s choice and then plunked Michael Robertson, putting two on with two outs.
Right-hander Johnny Hummel, who struggled in Friday night’s game, took over with two outs. He walked Dale Thomas to load the bases, marking his lone batter faced. Righty Ryan Hagenow was tabbed as the fourth pitcher in the ninth inning, and he delivered. Hagenow forced a fielder’s choice to get out of the bases loaded jam, sending the game to extras for the second time in the series.
Kentucky recovers to claim series
After blowing a ninth-inning lead for the second time this weekend, Kentucky came out in extras and delivered once again.
Devin Burkes opened the 10th inning with a double down the left field line, which was followed up by a Nick Lopez single. Ty Crittenberger pinch-ran for Lopez and nabbed second, taking away the possible double-play opportunity. Mitch Daly then drew a four pitch walk, loading the bases with no outs.
Ryan Nicholson popped up in foul territory, bringing up Nolan McCarthy. As Florida was expecting a possible safety squeeze, McCarthy dribbled a soft ground ball to first base. The Gator defensive alignment put them out of position, allowing McCarthy to reach first safely and Burkes to score. Kentucky reclaimed a lead.
With the bases loaded, Patrick Herrera turned in the biggest moment of his career. Herrera, who got the start due to the absence of Grant Smith, lofted a big-time double over the head of Florida left fielder Tyler Shelnut. The bases were cleared, giving the Cats a 7-3 lead.
Ryan Hagenow returned to the mound in the 10th, where he walked two batters (one HBP) and allowed just one hit. James McCoy was then called upon to make the move from right field to the mound to get the last two outs. He however gave up a two-run double to Florida’s Hunter Yost, which pulled the Gators within two.
Freshman left-hander Ben Cleaver, who had made just two appearances this season, was called upon to get the final out. He delivered, striking out Florida’s Landon Russell to finish off the win.
Series victory, Cayts.
What’s next for No. 4 Kentucky?
The Bat Cats will be back in action on Tuesday when they host Wright State at Kentucky Proud Park in their final midweek game of the season. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. EST.
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