Powerful offense, pitching leads Kentucky to series sweep
It’s tough to get up early for Sunday sometimes, no shame in that. Tyler Bosma and Kentucky, on the other hand, were able to shake off early rust to go on a scoring rampage in a 15-1 win. The victory on a getaway day down in Jacksonville, AL secured a weekend sweep over Jacksonville St.
The Wildcats picked up the 14-run victory to move to 3-0 to begin the season. Strong pitching mixed with late offense allowed for positive energy as UK heads back to Lexington for the home opener on Tuesday.
Tyler Bosma shines in his Kentucky debut
For the second consecutive day, Kentucky sent out a newcomer to the mound for the start. After Magdiel Cotto dazzled in his debut on Saturday, Tyler Bosma twirled a pretty decent start in his first outing. The transfer from Miami (OH) went five innings of one-run ball before being taken out after 71 pitches.
Bosma’s numbers weren’t overwhelming by any means. He only ended up striking out three while allowing a couple of walks and throwing a wild pitch. Though, he still held Jacksonville St. to one run and three hits. His one-earned run wasn’t even really his fault to begin with. On a double-play opportunity that could’ve ended the second inning, Ryan Ritter couldn’t quite sling it over to first in time, allowing for the Gamecock’s lone run.
Zack Lee, who still could be seen as a potential starter for this team, followed Bosma out of the bullpen. It didn’t take long for him to remind you that he may belong in the pen for now. After struggling with control issues last season, Lee hit the first batter he saw in 2022. The junior finished with two scoreless innings while still displaying worrisome issues that have plagued him before. He hit another batter and allowed a walk before he finished.
Daniel Harper and Wyatt Hudepohl hurled scoreless innings each to help end the game.
Offense picks up steam late in the game
It took a while but Kentucky was able to put up an offensive barrage in the end. The Wildcats kicked off the scoring almost immediately. A couple of errors coupled with some hits gave Adam Fogel the opportunity to bring in Hunter Jump on a sac fly, giving Kentucky a 1-0 lead.
That was it for Kentucky’s offense for a few innings as they stalled until the sixth. In the top of the frame, Chase Estep had the eventual game-winning RBI with two outs on a double that gave Kentucky the lead for good. The ‘Cats proceeded to score every inning from then on, highlighted by a five-run eighth.
Jake Plastiak kicked off the barrage with a two-run home run to center field for his first of the new year. Daniel Harris, who finished the game with a 3-4 line in the scorebook, lined an RBI single to make it a 6-1 game at the time. RBI singles by Ryan Ritter and Oraj Anu allowed them to join in on the fun.
Nolan McCarthy topped it all off with a grand slam deep into left field in the ninth inning to send a rather disrespectful dagger into the hearts of Jacksonville St.
Kentucky returns to Lexington and Kentucky Proud Park on Tuesday for the home opener against Southeast Missouri State. First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m. ET and is set to be broadcasted on the SEC Network+.
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