Kentucky had 'nothing to lose' during Clemson Regional win vs. USC Upstate

Kentucky‘s season looked to be in jeopardy after USC Upstate tied Saturday’s regional eliminator during the fourth inning. Instead of folding, the Wildcats scored four unanswered runs over the next five innings to keep their season alive, defeating the Spartans 7-3.

UK infielder Luke Lawrence, who finished 3-of-4 at the plate, having scored one run and logged a stolen base, provided a major boost to Kentucky in what was his first-ever postseason with the Wildcats. After the game, the junior transfer spoke on his team’s behalf on how they chose to approach a do-or-die moment in their season.

“Back against the wall — I think we talk about it a lot. It’s just, you know, nothing to lose there,” Lawrence said on the field after the game. “Lose, go home. Win, keep going. What are we playing for? Just keep going for each other, and I thought we did a good job about that today.”

Lawrence, the team’s second baseman, was without his infield partner in freshman standout Tyler Bell during the matchup. Bell injured his knee after hitting himself on a foul ball during the first inning of Friday’s regional opener against West Virginia. In the end, however, the Wildcats would be able to prevail without their young slugger.

After USC Upstate tied the game in the fourth inning, Kentucky would go on to take the lead via a Patrick Herrera sacrifice bunt in the bottom of the sixth inning. UK added three more insurance runs in the bottom of the eighth inning, securing the victory for the Wildcats.

The Wildcats pitched just two arms on the mound during the victory. Pitchers Nic McCay and Ethan Walker combined to throw eight scoreless innings. Walker took over for McCay after what could have been a disastrous three-run fourth inning for Kentucky.

Walker went on to pitch five innings of one-hit baseball. He kept the Spartans off the scoreboard and logged seven strikeouts during his time on the mound. Lawrence spoke highly of his teammate after the game.

“He’s a dog. He goes out there, he pounds the hole, he attacks, and he’s got some swagger to him on there too,” Lawrence said of Walker.

Now, Kentucky awaits the loser of West Virginia vs. regional host Clemson on Sunday. It will be UK’s second-straight elimination game in the regional tournament. First pitch is scheduled for Noon ET live on ESPN+.