Hage and Koontz lift Kentucky to series opening 12-2 win over Wofford

Kentucky opened its weekend series against Wofford with a 12-2 win Friday night at Kentucky Proud Park, notching its 10th consecutive victory. It is the Wildcats’ first 10+ game win streak since they won 17 in a row from Feb. 26, 2023 to March 25, 2023.

Right-handed pitcher Nic McCay had another stellar start for the Wildcats on Friday, as held the Terriers to just two hits and one (unearned) run in six innings of work. His ERA lowered from 0.59 to 0.42, which is third among SEC pitchers behind Ole Miss junior left-hander Hunter Elliott (0.00) and Texas junior right-hander Max Grubbs (0.00).

The offense continued to heat up heading towards SEC play as well, as it totaled 11 hits (four XBH) and 12 runs. Four different players drove in a run, but first baseman Dylan Koontz led the way with four RBIs on a two-run double and a two-run home run.

“Offensively, we just had some really good at-bats,” Nick Mingione said postgame. “We hit some balls hard, we drew walks, that was just our beautiful recipe of how we’re going to score. I love the home runs and stolen bases. A little bit of everything.”

The ‘Cats are now 11-1 in their first 12 games for the second consecutive season. Kentucky notched its fifth mercy-rule win of the season, matching its total from all of 2024.

Players of the Game:

• RHP Nic McCay: McCay had another great start on Friday, as he allowed two hits and one (unearned run) in six innings. He struck out three batters and lowered his season ERA to 0.42.
• LF Cole Hage: Hage, who continues to be Kentucky’s most consistent offensive player, had another big day at the plate on Friday. He went 2-2 with a three-run home run, his fourth of the season.
• 1B Dylan Koontz: Dylan Koontz continues to be an extra base hit machine, as he drove in four RBI on a two-run double and two-run home run.

Nic McCay receives immediate run support

Starting right-hander Nic McCay really struggled with his command in his last start against Hofstra, as just 47 of his 81 thrown pitches were strikes. Although he didn’t have his best game, he still allowed just two hits and one earned run in 4 1/3 innings. His 0.59 ERA entering Friday was good for fifth among SEC arms.

McCay returned to the mound on Friday and got off to a great start as he forced the first two outs of the game on just two pitches. He however ran into some trouble when Wofford right fielder David Wiley reached on an infield single and left fielder Adam Haber drew a walk, putting runners on first and second with two outs.

Looking to keep the inning alive, Wofford DH Hunter Herndon hit a chopping groundball right up the middle between second baseman Luke Lawrence and shortstop Tyler Bell. Bell and Lawrence collided as both players went for the ball, but Lawrence came up with it. He fired a throw to first base which pulled first baseman Dylan Koontz off the bag, allowing Wiley to score from second. On the strange sequence of events, Wofford took the 1-0 lead.

That lead didn’t hold for long however, as Kentucky scored four runs in the bottom of the inning. After Luke Lawrence and Cole Hage reached to open the frame, Tyler Bell snuck an RBI-single past the glove of Wofford shortstop Ryan Wynn into left center field to drive in Lawrence. With runners now on the corners, Dylan Koontz belted a two-run double to the wall in left center field to drive in both runners.

BISCUIT is heating up!!!

A scorched two-run double to the gap following @BellTyler28 lining an RBI single to CF (he's reached safely in his first 12 collegiate games).

E1 | UK 4, WOF 1 pic.twitter.com/YxdVeQoF2j

— Kentucky Baseball (@UKBaseball) March 7, 2025

Finally, Ethan Hindle capped off the frame with an RBI sac-fly. In just a matter of minutes, the ‘Cats went from trailing by one to leading by three.

Kentucky stretches lead to six runs

Following an opening frame that featured five total runs between both teams, the second and third innings were scoreless. The ‘Cats however ended that mini-streak in the fourth inning, when they tacked on two more runs to their lead.

After Carson Hansen drew a leadoff walk, Raphael Pelletier layed down a picture-perfect bunt back to Wofford right-handed pitcher Branton Little. Little overran the bunt and booted the ball, allowing both runners to be safe. Hansen, who reached third on the play, scored on a wild pitch in the next at-bat.

Pelletier eventually advanced to third on a Patrick Herrera single, putting runners on the corners with no outs. Shaun Montoya grounded into a double play, but Kentucky’s starting catcher was able to trot home safely. Montoya hit in the leadoff spot Friday night for the first time this season.

Nic McCay poured in another scoreless inning in the top of the fifth, bringing the Wildcat offense back up to bat. Ethan Hindle, who has more than solidified himself as the team’s starting designated hitter, continued his ascent on Friday. With Cole Hage on second following a leadoff single and steal, Hindle roped an RBI-double to left center field to drive in his ninth RBI of the season.

McCay allowed just two hits and one (unearned run) in six innings, but was not quite particularly happy with his performance.

“Honestly I think the last two outings have been pretty poor,” McCay said postgame. “The results we try not to focus on but I’m throwing a lot of really poor pitches right now.”

If these last two outings have been pretty poor (three hits and one earned run in 10 1/3 innings), imagine what “good” outings for Nic McCay will look like…

Longball ends game in seven innings

Clinging onto a 7-1 lead through six and a half innings, the Wildcat offense decided it was time to end this game.

Following Nic McCay‘s exit after six stellar innings on the mound, Cole Hage and Dylan Koontz both belted monstrous home runs in the latter half of the inning. Hage’s, which was his team-leading fourth of the season, drove in three runs and Koontz’s drove in two more. Suddenly it was 12-1 and Wofford was on the verge of being run-ruled for the first time this season.

Back-to-back games @Colehage_33 has done a little yard work.

B7 | UK 10, Wofford 1 pic.twitter.com/mHxKDWu59o

— Kentucky Baseball (@UKBaseball) March 7, 2025

“I’m just slowing the game down,” Koontz said postgame about his recent success. “I trust my swing and got the rips I needed. I’ve been working with the coaches and guys have been helping me with my approach. I’ve just been relaxed at the plate and I’m looking to do damage.”

Freshman left-hander Leighton Harris took the mound in the top of the seventh, where he held Wofford to just one run to cement the 10-run victory.

What’s next for Kentucky?

The ‘Cats will look to take the weekend series in the second game on Saturday. First pitch is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. EST at Kentucky Proud Park.