Kentucky Dominates Indiana to Force Monday Regional Final
After eliminating West Virginia from the Lexington Regional on Sunday morning, the angry Bat ‘Cats came out and made a statement later that night. The Kentucky offense exploded for a program record 16 NCAA Tournament runs to take down Indiana 16-6, forcing a Monday winner-take-all Regional Final.
It all comes down to this…
Through their first two Regional games, Kentucky combined for just seven runs and three extra-base hits. On Sunday however, the ‘Cats combined for 26 runs and 10 extra-base hits in their two victories. I’m not sure what snapped into the Wildcats on Sunday, but they suddenly look like one of the strongest teams in the entire NCAA Tournament.
The Indiana pitching staff was all over the place in this one, as they plunked nine Wildcats, just one shy of an NCAA Tournament record. Three of Kentucky’s runs scored reached base after being hit by a pitch. There’s nothing better than free bases, and the Hoosiers gave out plenty of those on Sunday night.
With a win over Indiana on Monday, Kentucky would make just their second Super Regional ever. First pitch for Monday’s Regional Final is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. ET. There’s never been a more important time to pack Kentucky Proud Park.
McCarthy’s Big Blue Bomb Energizes ‘Cats
Before they knew it in their loss to the Hoosiers on Saturday, Kentucky immediately trailed due to Phillip Glasser’s first pitch home run. The ‘Cats reversed their fates on Sunday, getting on the board first with a home run of their own.
Following an efficient two-strikeout inning from Logan Martin to sit IU down in the bottom of the first (yes, Indiana was the home team), Hunter Gilliam kicked off the top of the second with a single up the middle. Reuben Church was plunked, then Gilly and Church made their way to scoring position thanks to a Ryan Waldschmidt sac-bunt.
With runners on second and third, red-hot Nolan McCarthy came up to bat. McCarthy doubled and homered in Kentucky’s 10-0 win over West Virginia on Sunday morning, so it was only natural that he’d continue that hot streak into the night. McCarthy rocketed a no-doubt, 414-foot three-run homer over the left field wall to give the ‘Cats the first lead. Grant Smith would bring in Kentucky’s fourth run of the inning after scoring from third on a passed ball, injuring himself in the process. The training staff would tape Smith up, however, keeping him in the game.
Paging Mr. Canseco…
Falling behind 4-0 early, the Hoosiers needed a spark. A spark did indeed come but from an unlikely source.
Evan Goforth secured the start at 2B in place of Tyler Cerny, who was suspended for Sunday’s game due to “excessive celebration” on Saturday night. Goforth, who was just 1-16 on the season entering Sunday, lifted a high, deep ball to straight away center field. Jackson Gray tracked it perfectly and leaped to make a spectacular catch. But the ball squirted right out of Gray’s glove and over the fence for a home run — shades of Jose Canseco.
The Hoosiers took this much-needed momentum and ran with it, as Big Ten Freshman of the Year Devin Taylor lifted a RBI single into right field later in the inning, cutting the Wildcat lead in half.
Suddenly, Kentucky’s lead was just two through three innings.
Resilient Wildcats Win Middle Innings
The fourth inning began with two more plunked Wildcats, bringing the weekend total to 16. It seemed like Nick Mingione’s squad has had ball magnets tucked into their jerseys all weekend long. With Felker & Burkes in scoring position following an Émilien Pitre groundout, Hunter Gilliam singled up the middle to drive in two more Wildcat runs. The Hoosiers responded almost immediately, however, as Carter Mathison ripped a solo home run off Evan Byers in the latter half of the inning.
The Hoosiers continued to hang around all game until the red-hot Devin Burkes really opened things up in the fifth inning.
Jackson Gray reached on an infield single, putting a runner on for Burkes. Burkes ripped his second home run of the Regional to drive in two more Wildcat runs, increasing the lead to five. Ryan Waldschmidt tacked on one more in the sixth with a RBI single, increasing the lead to seven.
Whatever magic head coach Nick Mingione performed on this offense after a disappointing first two games absolutely worked, as the ‘Cats suddenly look like one of the best offensive teams in the entire field. There may have been a reason they led the SEC in batting average.
Seven-Run Seventh Inning Slams Door on Hoosiers
A five-run lead in the seventh just wasn’t enough, so the ‘Cats had to go score seven unanswered in the top of the seventh inning.
The inning started off tame with a Jackson Gray single and a Jase Felker HBP. Gray would advance to second and eventually score due to a wild pitch from IU’s Hayden, who had totally lost control of his fastball. Devin Burkes drew a walk, loading the bases for Émilien Pitre. Petey finally got in on the RBI action, blasting a RBI double to right center field that scored Felker from third.
The ‘Cats had re-taken a seven-run lead, which quickly reached double digits. Hunter Gilliam destroyed a 425-foot, three-run homer, sending Kentucky Proud Park into a frenzy.
The ‘Cats weren’t done though, as Ryan Waldschmidt blasted a two-run home run of his own, extending Kentucky’s lead to 12. With Kentucky notching run number 16, it was officially their highest-scoring game in NCAA Tournament history. Ryan Hagenow entered in the seventh inning and closed things out for the ‘Cats.
The job isn’t done yet though, as it all comes down to Monday night now. Pack KPP.
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