Kentucky takes down Alabama 6-2 to open weekend with a victory
Behind a stellar outing from starter Trey Pooser, No. 17 Kentucky downed No. 13 Alabama 6-2 Friday night to open the weekend series with a win.
The Cats have now won 13 of their last 14 games dating back to March 10. With Friday night’s victory, Kentucky improves to 25-4 (9-1) on the season.
Their 9-1 start in SEC play matches the best start to conference play in the Nick Mingione era (2023). Kentucky has started 9-1 in conference play for the second consecutive season, marking the first time an SEC team has done so in 32 years.
Players of the Game
- RHP Trey Pooser: Pooser pitched seven innings, allowing just six hits and two earned runs with three strikeouts.
- C Devin Burkes: Burkes’ two-run single in the fifth inning propelled the Cats to a three run lead.
- CF Nolan McCarthy: McCarthy’s 404-foot two-run home run in the sixth inning put the game on ice for the Cats. His third home run in his last three games.
Daly delivers early
The Bat Cats struck first in their second home game in two weeks.
Both teams went hitless in the first inning, but Mitch Daly put the Cats on the board first with an RBI-single in the bottom of the second.
Nick Lopez reached first on a hit by pitch and reached second on a wild pitch. Daly tried multiple times to bunt Lopez over to third, but was unsuccessful. On a two-strike count, Daly snuck a single up the middle to bring in the runner from first.
Crimson Tide employ small ball
Just as Kentucky head coach Nick Mingione has done all season, the Crimson Tide rode back-to-back sacrifice bunts to tie the game up in the fifth inning.
Alabama’s Will Hodo opened the inning with a leadoff double, putting a quick runner in scoring position for the Tide. Alabama’s next two batters then layed down two picture perfect bunts, which were able to score Hodo from third.
Wading through the pitcher’s duel between Bama’s Hess and Trey Pooser, the Cats and Tide were tied at one midway through five.
Three-spot propels Cats ahead in fifth
Grant Smith broke the tie for the Cats in the bottom of the fifth inning.
Kentucky put runners on first and second via a walk, bringing up Smith. Smith blooped an RBI-double over the head of Alabama first baseman Will Hodo down the first base line, driving in Ryan Nicholson from second.
The bases were loaded following a walk of Ryan Waldschmidt, Ben Hess’ third of the inning. Devin Burkes stepped up to the plate with a big opportunity to open the game up a bit.
Burkes delivered, lining a two-run single up the middle to extend Kentucky’s lead to three. All hail the Mailman.
Trey Pooser continues to impress
Grad transfer right-handed pitcher Trey Pooser made his third start of the season for the Cats Friday night and looked solid once again.
Pooser pitched seven innings, allowing just two earned runs while striking out three batters. His season ERA lowered to 3.38.
“As a starter you’ve got to go as hard as you can and its just a different mentality,” Pooser said postgame.
Through his first three SEC starts (Missouri, Ole Miss, and Alabama), Pooser has allowed 15 hits and five earned runs with 15 strikeouts in 18 2/3 innings of work.
“What a start,” Nick Mingione said postgame. “They got a couple of runs but boy did he minimize.”
Ginger Missile puts Bat Cats comfortably ahead
Kentucky’s three-run lead was quickly extended to five in the bottom of the sixth inning, courtesy of the red-hot Nolan McCarthy.
With Mitch Daly on first base following a leadoff walk, McCarthy blasted a no-doubt 404 foot home run over the left field fence for his third home run in his last three games.
“As soon as it left I knew it was gone,” Nick Mingione said postgame.
McCarthy is now tied with Ryan Nicholson and Emilien Pitre for the team lead in home runs (four).
“It felt really good,” McCarthy said postgame. “It was a hanging slider.”
Wildcats open the weekend with a win
Alabama tacked on a run in the top of the seventh, but nothing more due to a stellar run-saving grab by Ryan Nicholson at first base.
Right-hander Travis Smith entered in the eighth, holding the Tide to just one hit over the final two innings to cement the win.
“Travis’ stuff was just electric,” Mingione said. “I’m really proud of Travis. He had the lat thing, he’s come back. He threw his best bullpen he’s ever thrown at Kentucky this week and followed it up with just an unbelievable outing.”
What’s next for No. 17 Kentucky?
Game two of the weekend series between the Cats and Tide is scheduled for Saturday at 2:30 p.m. EST.
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