Kentucky Baseball's Season Comes to End Following 8-3 Loss to LSU
All good things must come to an end. In this case, Kentucky Baseball’s best season in nearly six years.
The ‘Cats played much better in this one than they did in Saturday’s 14-0 drubbing, but they were still no match for LSU, falling 8-3. They had multiple opportunities in this one but fell just short. The pivotal point of this game was Reuben Church’s liner down the third base line in the seventh inning that would have tied the game. However, it was ruled foul and Church ended up striking out.
Although the ‘Cats failed to make their first ever College World Series, this season was still a resounding success for the Kentucky Baseball program. Head coach Nick Mingione entered this season with immense pressure on himself and the program, and he delivered. Kentucky finishes the season at 40-21, their best season since 2017. With a boatload of young talent and potential transfers making their way back to Lexington next season, this year may have just been a sign of things to come for this program.
Exciting Start For Both Teams
After failing to score a single run in Saturday’s 14-0 drubbing, the ‘Cats scored on their first at-bat of the afternoon. Austin Strickland needed 25 pitches in the first inning but kept the Tigers scoreless, giving Kentucky a chance to make an early statement. They did just that. Jackson Gray broke out of a brutal NCAA Tournament slump, blasting a solo Big Blue Bomb, his sixth of the season, to give Kentucky an early lead. Kentucky’s first inning lead marked their first Super Regional lead in school history. That 1-0 score however didn’t stand for too much longer.
Strickland quickly loaded the bases in the top of the second (yes, LSU was the away team. College Baseball is weird) due to an HBP and two allowed singles. Superstar Dylan Crews stepped up to bat and you just knew he was going to make his presence known some way or another. Crews slapped a sharp grounder to Hunter Gilliam at first, who made a great play to dive and keep the ball in the infield. Gilly threw out Pearson at second but allowed Gavin Dugas to take home for the score. We were knotted up at one apiece through two innings.
LSU Power Surge Continues
After hitting six home runs in their Super Regional opening win on Saturday, LSU continued their power surge early on Sunday. Tre’ Morgan kept his hot streak strong, leading off the top of the third with a double off the left field wall. Following a Hayden Travinski single, the Tigers had two on for Cade Beloso. Austin Strickland forced an 0-2 count on Beloso, having him right where he wanted him. However, Strickland’s next pitch didn’t quite go where it needed to be. Strickland threw a high fastball, which Beloso jumped all over for his 14th home run of the season. Later in the inning, Tommy White beat out an infield single to score Jordan Thompson from third. Suddenly, the Tigers led by four.
The ‘Cats however didn’t go down without a fight, relying on some power of their own. Kentucky belted two more solo home runs in innings three and four, courtesy of Devin Burkes and Nolan McCarthy.
‘Cats Just Inches Foul of Tie Game
Trailing by two in the bottom of the seventh, Reuben Church was just inches away from cementing his name in Kentucky Baseball history. Émilien Pitre and Hunter Gilliam led off the inning with singles, with Pitre eventually moving over to third on a bobbled ball by LSU’s Travinski. Reuben Church, who entered to pinch-hit for Chase Stanke earlier in the night, had a major opportunity. An extra base hit would tie the game up, and Church came oh so close to doing so. Church ripped a ball down the third base line, bouncing *just* foul on the left of the chalk. The junior was eventually rung up looking on a full count, a call most of Big Blue Nation did not agree with.
Kentucky’s stellar defense rang through for the entirety of this one, with Nolan McCarthy’s eighth inning diving catch taking two potential LSU runs off the board. The offense may not have totally showed up this weekend, but the defense 100% did.
Crews Ties Bow on College World Series Berth
The ‘Cats could only hang around for so long relying on solo home runs.
Kentucky made it all the way to the ninth inning trailing by two runs after scoring just three on the night, all from solo home runs. Once Mason Moore departed in the seventh, it seemed like all Kentucky had was what they gave. Once Mag Cotto and Seth Chavez took over in the ninth, the Tigers and potential #1 MLB Draft Pick Dylan Crews wrapped a bow on their College World Series berth.
Darren Williams put two Tigers on early due to an HBP and an infield single (a heater that took Williams’ glove off) before he departed. Josh Pearson then drew a walk, bringing Dylan Crews up to bat. In what was his final at-bat at Alex Box Stadium, Crews did what he does best… rake. Crews ripped a two-run double down the third base line, bringing in two runs to extend their lead to five.
Gavin Guidry took care of business in the ninth, sending the ‘Cats home. What a ride it was. Until next season.
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