Kentucky takes Battle of the Bluegrass with 17-13 win over Louisville
No. 3 Kentucky held off Louisville 17-13 in a high scoring affair Tuesday night to take the 2024 edition of the Battle of the Bluegrass. The Cats reversed their recent fortunes against the Cardinals, as they had lost eight of the prior 10 meetings.
The in-state rivals combined for 30 runs on 33 hits in a game that lasted four hours and 15 minutes.
The Cats finished with 15 hits and tied their season high with 17 runs. Kentucky’s 17 runs scored were its most against Louisville since April 26, 1994 (18).
Seven Kentucky batters recorded at least one hit, while five totaled two or more. The Wildcat offense has notched double-digit hits in four consecutive games.
Ryan Waldschmidt had himself a monstrous day at the plate, as he blasted two home runs and a double. He finished with six RBI, along with two #SCTop10 worthy diving grabs in left field. It’s safe to say this was the probably the greatest game of his college career.
Ryan Nicholson also continued his power surge at the plate, as he knocked his 11th home run of the season and seventh in the last six games. You knew the Louisville native would keep it going in the Derby City.
Kentucky improves to 31-5 (14-1) on the season and 8-1 in midweek games. The Cats are now 18-2 in such games since the beginning of the 2023 season.
Players of the Game
- LF Ryan Waldschmidt: Waldschmidt went 3-4 at the plate with two home runs and a double. Drove in six RBI.
- 1B Ryan Nicholson: Nicholson went 3-4 at the plate with a home run and three RBI.
- DH Nick Lopez: Lopez reached base five times, recorded three hits and an RBI.
(Home Run) Derby City
Balls were flying out of Jim Patterson Stadium to open this one.
Just three pitches in, Kentucky left fielder Ryan Waldschmidt belted a solo home run to dead center field to put the Cats ahead before they had even recorded an out. This was just the beginning of Waldschmidt’s big day at the plate.
Kentucky’s lead didn’t last long however, as Louisville batters JT Benson and Isaac Humphrey both hit solo shots in the bottom of the first to put the Cardinals on top 2-1.
Devin Burkes exits game after apparent injury
Bad luck struck for the Cats to end the top of the first inning, as catcher Devin Burkes pulled up gingerly holding his hamstring as he attempted to score from second.
No update was given on the broadcast, but he was replaced by Austin Fawley in the latter half inning. A long-term injury to Burkes, especially as the Cats venture into a loaded back-half conference schedule, would be devastating.
Cats push across four in second inning
Just as they had done 45 times this season, the Cats put up a “Biggie Box” in the the second inning to pull back ahead.
What is a “Biggie Box” you may ask? Well, it’s a term that head coach Nick Mingione coined. It’s an inning featuring four or more runs, which has become a specialty for the Wildcat offense this season.
Nolan McCarthy and James McCoy reached base via a hit by pitch and a walk, putting two quick runners on with no outs.
“Mingione Ball” then reared its ugly head, as Grant Smith layed a picture perfect bunt down the third base line. Louisville third baseman Dylan Hoy fielded it cleanly, but an errant throw over the head of first baseman Ryan McCoy allowed McCarthy to score from second.
Ryan Waldschmidt, who homered to open the game, followed Smith’s bunt with a two-run double down the left field line. Two more runs were in to score, bringing Waldschmidt’s RBI count to three on the day.
UK’s hits leader Nick Lopez capped off the inning with an RBI-single, bringing in Kentucky’s fourth run of the inning. However, the Cats would one-up themselves just one inning later.
Back-to-back big innings for the Bat Cats
After scoring four runs in the second, Kentucky scored five more runs in the third to push its lead to eight.
James McCoy and Grant Smith opened the inning with back-to-back outs, but the Cats work best with their backs to the wall.
Ryan Waldschmidt, who homered and doubled in his first two at-bats was plunked, sparking the two-out rally. Waldschmidt ended up at third following an errant pickoff attempt.
Following an Emilien Pitre drawn walk, Austin Fawley, who replaced Devin Burkes behind the plate, came up to bat with a chance to put the Cats comfortably ahead. Fawley delivered, as he belted a rocket line drive off the left-field wall to drive in both runners. His first double of the season put Kentucky ahead 7-2.
Following a Nick Lopez walk, Mitch Daly notched Kentucky’s second two-run double of the inning to drive in Fawley and Lopez.
Nicholson finished off the inning with an RBI-single, putting the Cats ahead 10-2. Suddenly, “Go Big Blue” chants began to ring out in Louisville.
Three Big Blue Bombs cements Wildcat victory
After Kentucky went up 10-2, Louisville scored five unanswered runs to pull within three. However, Ryan Waldschmidt, Ryan Nicholson, and Mitch Daly put the Cardinals in the dirt via the long ball.
Nick Lopez opened the fifth with a leadoff single, bringing up the surging Nicholson.
Nicholson did what he does best, and that’s hit home runs. The transfer first baseman belted a two-run shot, his seventh in the last six games.
Nicholson’s home run was followed by two more, a three-run shot by Ryan Waldschmidt (his second of the day) and a two-run home run by Mitch Daly to propel the Cats ahead by 10.
Suddenly, Kentucky has seemingly transitioned into one of the hottest power-hitting teams in the nation.
Cats claim Battle of the Bluegrass
After falling behind by 10, Louisville scored six unanswered runs to once again make it somewhat of a game.
Kentucky’s padded lead however was enough to ensure that they were never seriously in danger. Right-hander Johnny Hummel, the ninth Wildcat pitcher of the game, entered in the ninth and sat the Cardinals down in order to finish off the wild win.
Victory, Kentucky.
What’s next for No. 3 Kentucky?
No. 3 Kentucky returns home to Lexington this weekend for a massive top-five clash with No. 4 Tennessee. With a sweep, the Bat Cats would tie 2022 Tennessee’s record for the best start to SEC play (17-1).
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