Vandy Claims Series Over UK In Rubber Match
[caption id="attachment_178280" align="aligncenter" width="451"]
(Photo from UK Athletics)[/caption]
Kentucky (26-20, 11-12) was once again in a battle heading into the final innings versus No. 6 Vanderbilt. But, like the series-opener on Friday, the Commodores flexed their muscles with the game tied up 3-3 in the eighth to claim the series in the finale.
After falling behind by one run in the top of the first, the Cats took a 3-1 lead in the bottom half of the inning. Evan White and Ka'ai Tom each singled with one out to bring red hot sophomore JaVon Shelby to the plate. Shelby, facing fellow Lexington native and Vandy starting pitcher Walker Buehler, then crushed a three-run bomb over the leftfield fence, his seventh of the year and second of the series.
After Ro Coleman scored to cut the deficit in half on an RBI groundout by Dansby Swanson in the fourth, the Dores tied the game at 3-3 thanks to a solo shot from Zander Wiel. The tie lasted for four shutout innings until Jaren Kendall cranked a two-run homer in the top of the eighth to give Vandy a 5-3 lead. The defending National Champs added two more in the ninth to solidify the win.
While six different Wildcats collected hits against Buehler in the first six innings, Vandy relievers Jordan Sheffield, Kyle Wright, and Ben Bowden were too much in the latter half of the contest. The trio of relievers suffocated the Cats, allowing no hits or runs to seal the victory.
UK starter Kyle Cody worked 5.2 innings in his longest start since March 29 at No. 1 LSU, which is good news for the Cats despite the loss. Cody was pretty solid, striking out eight batters and surrendering three earned runs on six hits. In total, UK pitchers struck out 13 Commodores on the day.
Up next for the Cats is a rematch against No. 3 Louisville on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. at Cliff Hagan Stadium before hosting Georgia in a three-game series next weekend.
@STHowle
(Photo from UK Athletics)[/caption]
Kentucky (26-20, 11-12) was once again in a battle heading into the final innings versus No. 6 Vanderbilt. But, like the series-opener on Friday, the Commodores flexed their muscles with the game tied up 3-3 in the eighth to claim the series in the finale.
After falling behind by one run in the top of the first, the Cats took a 3-1 lead in the bottom half of the inning. Evan White and Ka'ai Tom each singled with one out to bring red hot sophomore JaVon Shelby to the plate. Shelby, facing fellow Lexington native and Vandy starting pitcher Walker Buehler, then crushed a three-run bomb over the leftfield fence, his seventh of the year and second of the series.
After Ro Coleman scored to cut the deficit in half on an RBI groundout by Dansby Swanson in the fourth, the Dores tied the game at 3-3 thanks to a solo shot from Zander Wiel. The tie lasted for four shutout innings until Jaren Kendall cranked a two-run homer in the top of the eighth to give Vandy a 5-3 lead. The defending National Champs added two more in the ninth to solidify the win.
While six different Wildcats collected hits against Buehler in the first six innings, Vandy relievers Jordan Sheffield, Kyle Wright, and Ben Bowden were too much in the latter half of the contest. The trio of relievers suffocated the Cats, allowing no hits or runs to seal the victory.
UK starter Kyle Cody worked 5.2 innings in his longest start since March 29 at No. 1 LSU, which is good news for the Cats despite the loss. Cody was pretty solid, striking out eight batters and surrendering three earned runs on six hits. In total, UK pitchers struck out 13 Commodores on the day.
Up next for the Cats is a rematch against No. 3 Louisville on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. at Cliff Hagan Stadium before hosting Georgia in a three-game series next weekend.
@STHowle
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