Kentucky eliminates No. 11 overall seed Clemson to stay alive in NCAA Tournament
Kentucky baseball stayed alive in the NCAA Tournament by blowing out No. 11 overall seed and regional host Clemson 16-4 in its second straight elimination game.
With the win, Kentucky advances to the regional final but will need to beat regional No. 2 seed West Virginia twice to advance to a super regional. The Mountaineers earned a walk-off win against the Wildcats in the regional opener. UK and West Virginia will play next at 6 p.m. Sunday.
KEY MOMENT
Kentucky looked in store for another tense game after both squads scored two runs in the first inning, but it blew the game open with a five-run third inning.
The first run in the inning came with the help of multiple Clemson defensive miscues. Left fielder Cole Hage reached on an infield single then advanced to second base on a throwing error by the Clemson shortstop. He moved to third on an errant pickoff throw then scored on a wild pitch. Kentucky scored another run on a passed ball later in the inning. Center fielder Carson Hansen and right fielder Ryan Schwartz also drove in runs with hits in the inning.
AT THE PLATE
Kentucky followed its five-run third inning with a six-run fourth inning to crush Clemson’s hopes of pulling back in the game. The Wildcats added a single run in the fifth and two in the sixth to remove any doubt about the outcome.
Second baseman Luke Lawrence (2-for-5), Hage (2-for-5), Hansen (3-for-4) and Schwartz (2-for-4) all had multiple hits in the game. Lawrence, Hage, shortstop Tyler Bell, first baseman James McCoy, Hansen and third baseman Patrick Herrera each scored multiple runs. Kentucky took advantage of seven Clemson errors in the win.
ON THE MOUND
Freshman Nate Harris, Kentucky’s normal Friday night starter, did his job, posting a quality start by surrendering three runs in six innings with seven strikeouts and four walks. Harris was particularly effective after a shaky start, surrendering just one run in his final five innings of work. Three relievers (Evan Byers, Nile Adcock and Leighton Harris) contributed one inning each.
WHAT’S NEXT
Kentucky will play again Sunday evening against regional No. 2 seed West Virginia needing to win to force a winner-take-all game between the two teams on Monday.
The good news for Kentucky is thanks to the offensive explosion against Clemson, Nick Mingione was able to navigate the first game of the day without using his best relievers. Left-handed relief ace Jackson Nove should be available after facing just one batter on Friday. Normal midweek starter Scott Rouse would appear best positioned to make the start Sunday night, but Mingione might elect to get creative with his pitching staff, knowing he needs to account for at least 18 more innings to advance to a super regional.
If Kentucky can beat West Virginia on Sunday, the two teams would play again on Monday at a to-be-determined time.