Kentucky's pitching bounces back, but bats can't keep up in series sweep

After giving up 15 runs in the first two games of the series, Tyler Bosma and the rest of the Kentucky pitching staff finally gave the offense an opportunity to secure a win on a getaway day in Fayetteville. Unfortunately, the offense struggled to get anything going as UK fell 3-1 to the Razorbacks, leading to a sweep in their first SEC series of the year.

It went down to the final out but we return home Tuesday vs. Morehead State. pic.twitter.com/qy30dR7jKf

— Kentucky Baseball (@UKBaseball) March 20, 2022

Pitching did their part on Sunday

Tyler Bosma got the start on the final day of the series for the ‘Cats. The transfer pitcher came into the game with a 3.60 ERA and looked more than adequate in his first taste of SEC competition, despite walking a few more than he would’ve liked. The former Miami (OH) pitcher only made it 2.2 innings and 45 pitches before being taken out.

Bosma looked like he was rolling through the first couple of innings. He didn’t allow a hit while striking out three during that time. Unfortunately, he was snake-bitten in the third, giving up a single and a monster home run to Braydon Webb with the first two batters he faced that frame. He started to struggle, hitting the next batter and then walking one later in the inning. It was another case where the bullpen was called earlier than expected. Unlike Saturday, this time it worked out initially.

Head coach Nick Mingione called Darren Williams out of the bullpen to get out of the inning. The former EKU pitcher induced a ground out to Daniel Harris and kept the inning from becoming completely disastrous.

That only lasted for so long, however. In the fourth, Williams walked Robert Moore to begin the frame. Thanks to a wild throw from Alonzo Rubalcaba, Moore was able to get all the way to third on a stolen base attempt. Jalen Battles put down a sacrifice bunt attempt, but Jake Plastiak was unable to corral the ball which allowed everyone to be safe and Arkansas to gain a 3-0 lead.

Williams eventually got out of the inning and went on to pitch 3.1 innings of pretty impressive ball today. The run was the first credited to his name in 16.1 innings as a Wildcat. Sean Harney came in for the final two innings. He wasn’t his usual self on the mound, but it was enough to keep Arkansas off the board.

Bat ‘Cats falter once again

It was another slow day for the Bat ‘Cats as they still become accustomed to facing SEC-level pitching. Despite being in a slightly lesser hole than they were given for most of the weekend, they just couldn’t get much of anything going. Through seven innings, UK only had four hits and didn’t get many opportunities with runners in scoring position.

Kentucky’s first run came through in the seventh inning when Ryan Ritter launched a solo shot through the wind into the stands in left-center. It was the fourth home run for the star shortstop this year. Ritter’s increased power this year has been a nice surprise for the ‘Cats this year. And it’s sure making him a more coveted prospect when the MLB draft comes around this summer.

We next see the ‘Cats come back to Lexington for a mid-week contest against Morehead State. They’ll get their chance to bounce back against a lower-tier opponent. The game on Tuesday is set to begin at 6:30 p.m. EST and will be broadcasted on the SEC Network+.