Bat 'Cats drop series, silenced in 7-0 loss at South Carolina

A harsh dose of reality hit Kentucky Baseball for the second time in as many days on Saturday afternoon in Columbia, as South Carolina breezed past the ‘Cats 7-0 to win the series through two games.

Gamecocks pitcher Noah Hall diced up the UK offense for eight innings, allowing just a pair of hits while striking out eight batters in 105 pitches. Seven different batters were fanned at least one time, as the Wildcats mounted just a trio of singles and walks in 30 at-bats, getting just four runners into scoring position.

It is just the second time that Kentucky has been shut out this season, with the first occasion coming on April 22, when Vanderbilt no-hit the ‘Cats in Lexington.

The Gamecocks struck first in the second inning before failing to relinquish the lead for the remainder of the afternoon. Kentucky starter Sean Harney gave the ‘Cats length but was knocked around the park, giving up four runs on eight hits in five innings.

Early and often for the Gamecocks

South Carolina scored in six of its eight trips to the plate on Saturday, totaling 12 hits against the UK pitching staff, 10 of which were just singles.

Brandt Belk put USC on the board in the second via a sac fly that brought home shortstop Michael Braswell. Belk touted a 3-4 day at the plate in the leadoff slot, including a two-run home run in the bottom of the fourth that extended the lead to four runs.

After two shutout innings in relief for Daniel Harper, the Gamecocks went back on the attack in the eighth, tacking on their final three runs of the afternoon.

With two runners in scoring position, right fielder Andrew Eyester delivered a two-run single through the left side off a Wyatt Hudepohl pitch. Seth Logue would then walk in a run later in the inning, capping off the USC damage.

Hudepohl faced six batters on Saturday, recording just one out while walking three batters and allowing two hits. Even though the UK arms were able to limit the damage to mostly singles, the Gamecocks were collecting base knocks in bulk.

Ice cold bats in Columbia

Through two games against South Carolina, UK has managed just three runs on nine hits while allowing 18 runs on 25 hits.

Just six ‘Cats have earned a hit in Columbia, with Daniel Harris IV, Ryan Ritter and Oraj Anu each owning a pair. The USC pitching has been dominant, earning 19 strikeouts in 18 innings pitched.

Kentucky’s Hunter Jump, Adam Fogel and Alonzo Rubalcaba are a combined 0-19 this weekend with four K’s.

Following Saturday’s loss, Kentucky is now 3-11 in SEC games away from Kentucky Proud Park. In those 14 games, the ‘Cats are averaging four runs per game while allowing an average of 7.3 runs.

Brought back down to earth

All signs were finally pointing in the right direction for Kentucky after its series win over No. 1 Tennessee in Lexington.

Fluke or not, UK went from nothing to something, listed as one of the first four out of the NCAA Tournament heading into the weekend series against South Carolina.

A solid weekend in Columbia would have put the Wildcats in position to make the postseason, but once again a disappointing outcome has struck, leaving a berth into the SEC Tournament in question.

If the ‘Cats can avoid a sweep it will be a big boost heading into the final week of the regular season. A third loss will leave even more to play for next weekend when Auburn visits Lexington for what could be the final three games of the season for UK head coach Nick Mingione and his squad.

Whether it comes from the batter’s box or the pitcher’s mound, Kentucky desperately needs a big performance on Sunday against the Gamecocks. First pitch of game three is set for 1:30 p.m. EST on the SEC Network+.