Jackson Gray's Grand Slam Propels Kentucky to Win Over WKU
Tuesday afternoon’s game at Western Kentucky should have been a tune-up before a matchup with SEC foe Missouri this weekend. However, that was not the case.
The pesky Hilltoppers hopped all over Kentucky starter Travis Smith early. Smith had his worst outing of the season, pitching 3.1 innings, giving up six hits and three earned runs. The Toppers, which entered Tuesday’s matchup with a 16-9 record, held a 4-0 lead over the No. 18 ranked ‘Cats through six innings. The Wildcats mustered just two hits in that span and it looked like they were still hungover from Sunday’s loss to Alabama.
Enter Jackson Gray.
Gray, who transferred to Kentucky from WKU in the offseason, stepped up huge for the Wildcats. With the bases loaded in the top of the seventh, Gray blasted a grand slam, clearing the bases and putting the ‘Cats ahead for the first time. This grand slam led to 10 unanswered runs for the Wildcats, which would lead to a 10-8 win over the Hilltoppers as UK improves to 22-3 on the season.
This team just does not quit.
Kentucky Offense Non-Existent Through Six
It has been a trend this season for the Wildcats to get on the scoreboard first, but not on Tuesday.
After sitting the WKU offense down in order to start the game, Travis Smith began to struggle in the bottom of the second. Smith gave up an inning-opening single to Tristin Garcia, followed by a double from C-USA Freshman of the Year candidate Lukas Farris. Smith would force a fly-out to right field, but it was just long enough to score Garcia from third. With Farris still on second and two outs in the inning, catcher Camden Ross slapped a single through the left side, scoring the freshman and giving the Hilltoppers an early 2-0 lead.
While the Kentucky offense continued to struggle, the Toppers continued to build on their lead.
After Smith opened the bottom of the third with back-to-back outs, the scrappy Hilltoppers were given life after Smith plunked Drew Reckart. Back-to-back singles from Garcia and Kirk Liebert drove in Reckart, pushing the lead to three. After another 1-2-3 inning for the Wildcats’ offense in the top of the fifth, WKU plated another run.
Following an error from Grant Smith that allowed Reckart to reach first, Garcia notched his third hit of the game to move Reckart to second. Liebert drew a walk to load the bases with Evan Byers on the mound. Byers balked, allowing Reckart to trot home to push the lead to four. A lack of offense and errors had killed the ‘Cats midway through this one. The Wildcat offense had just two hits through six innings.
All Rise for Jackson Gray
After struggling to even put the ball in play through the first six innings, the Wildcat offense was resurrected in the seventh inning.
Émilien Pitre got the inning started with a leadoff walk. “The Captain” Hunter Gilliam then stepped up to the plate and singled to left center, advancing to second on an error by WKU CF Ty Crittenberger. This error allowed Pitre to head home and plate Kentucky’s first run of the afternoon. Following Ryan Waldschmidt’s walk, Nick Mingione’s small ball came into play as everyone knew it would.
Chase Stanke, who lays down a bunt almost every game now, put down a perfect sac-bunt and reached safely due to an error by WKU 3B Aidan Gilroy. The throw by Gilroy allowed Gilliam to score, bringing the ‘Cats within two. A Nolan McCarthy walk set Jackson Gray up with the bases loaded.
On a full count, Gray smoked a grand slam to right field against his former team, propelling the ‘Cats from a two-run deficit to a two-run lead. It was Gray’s second home run of the season.
Gray’s grand slam led to an onslaught of 10 unanswered runs for the Wildcat offense. After Magdiel Cotto negated a walk with a forced double play and a strike out of Liebert, the ‘Cats were back up to the plate.
Following two quick outs by Pitre and Gilliam, Ryan Waldschmidt singled to keep the top of the eighth inning alive. This was followed up by a Reuben Church walk and a Nolan McCarthy RBI single which scored Waldy from second. With McCarthy and Church on base, Grant Smith delivered the dagger to the heart of WKU fans everywhere. Smith blasted a home run to left center field, suddenly making this a six-run game in the eighth inning. G-Money has now homered in back-to-back games after not homering in the first 23.
Although the Toppers scored three runs in the bottom of the eighth, it was not enough for the comeback. Zach Hise entered in the ninth and struck out the first two batters before allowing a home run to Ty Batusich. But Hise forced a ground out to end the game and give the ‘Cats a gritty win.
With the comeback victory, Kentucky improves to 22-3 and will be back in action on Friday when they welcome the recently unranked Missouri Tigers to Lexington. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. EST but is subject to change due to forecasted rain in the area.
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