Bat 'Cats Down Tennessee Tech in Final Midweek Game of Season
Ahead of their weekend clash with No. 23 Tennessee, the Bat ‘Cats took care of business at home on Tuesday night in their final midweek game of the regular season. After an early scare, the 17th-ranked Kentucky Wildcats settled in and downed Tennessee Tech 9-2.
As predicted in the game preview, Nick Mingione relied solely on his bullpen in this one.
The Wildcats trotted out seven different pitchers with Colby Frieda getting the start. Frieda and Seth Logue were the only pitchers to give up a run. The pitching staff combined for 15 strikeouts on the night, allowing just seven hits. With the win, Kentucky finishes the season at 10-1 in midweek games. All eyes now shift to Knoxville.
Eagles Throw First Punch
Maybe it was because it was the first game after finals week or that they simply overlooked the Eagles leading up to this one, but the ‘Cats came out sluggish on Tuesday.
In his first start of the season, Colby Frieda struggled mightily in his one and only frame of action. Frieda walked three batters, one of which was with the bases loaded. Before the fans at KPP could even get settled into their seats, the ‘Cats had handed Tech an early run.
Freshman RHP Reece McDuffie started on the mound for the Eagles and had his way with the uncharacteristically quiet Wildcat lineup early. The ‘Cats mustered just one hit and two strikeouts through the first two frames.
With Tech holding a 1-0 lead, red-hot John Dyer stepped to bat with no runners on. Dyer has quietly been one of the hottest hitters in all of college baseball as of late, having blasted 10 home runs in his last 11 games en route to a 16-game hitting streak. On just the second pitch of the at-bat, Dyer took Seth Logue deep to left field for his 19th home run of the season. Tennessee Tech led 2-0 midway through three.
Here Come the ‘Cats
After an early wake-up call, the ‘Cats finally came alive in the third inning.
After a James McCoy groundout to kick off the inning, Grant Smith was plunked on a 3-2 count to build some momentum for the Wildcat offense. Jackson Gray continued his hot streak, knocking a single through the left side. Smith and McCoy advanced to second and third respectively on a throwing error by the Eagles, putting runners in scoring position for Jase Felker. Following two bunt attempts for Felker, he singled through the left side, driving in Smith for the first Kentucky run of the day. After a Hunter Gilliam walk, Émilien Pitre singled to knot things up at two apiece through three innings.
Both teams threatened, but no runs were scored over the next two innings.
The ‘Cats loaded the bases with no outs in the bottom of the fourth but failed to drive in a single run. However, the Wildcats would take their first lead of the day in the bottom of the fifth inning. Hunter Gilliam absolutely golfed his 10th home run of the season just over the right centerfield wall on the first pitch thrown from the hand of Tech reliever Daniel Walter. Ryan Waldschmidt walked and stole second, but failed to score to increase the Wildcat lead any further.
Sixth Inning Success
Heading into the sixth inning, Kentucky led by just one. Exiting the inning, however, the ‘Cats suddenly found themselves leading by seven.
It all started with a leadoff walk from James McCoy. After Grant Smith reached base on a nice bunt, runners were on first and second for the red-hot Jackson Gray. On a 3-2 count, Gray ripped his sixth triple of the season down the first base line to drive in two runs. Gray is now just two triples away from setting the single-season program record. Jase Felker knocked in his second RBI of the game with a sharp grounder off the glove of Tech’s Dyer at first, which allowed Gray to dash home for the score.
“Nothing beats a homer but triples have been easier to come by this year,” Gray said after the game.
Tech’s infielders and outfielders had trouble locating the ball in the inning, as three potential outs were missed due to location errors. Chase Stanke hit a high fly ball into deep center field that Nicho Jordan failed to find, allowing the ball to bounce in and over the center field fence for a ground rule double. Devin Burkes put the cherry on top of the inning, singling to left field to drive in Stanke, Kentucky’s sixth run of the inning.
Victory, Wildcats
James McCoy, who has yet to pitch this season, made his way to the mound to start the ninth.
After hitting three home runs in their series victory over South Carolina, McCoy finished things off for the ‘Cats on Tuesday and secured their fourth consecutive win. With the win, Kentucky surpasses last season’s win total with their 34th of the season.
The Bat ‘Cats will be back in action on Friday when they travel to Knoxville for a weekend series against rival No. 23 Tennessee. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. EST.
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