Cleaver leads Kentucky to 10-5 rubber match win over Texas A&M
Kentucky rode another impressive start from left-hander Ben Cleaver on Sunday to a 10-5 rubber match win over Texas A&M. The ‘Cats improve to 17-9 (4-5) with the win and earn their first SEC series victory of the season.
The Wildcat offense continues to hum, as they recorded double-digit hits for the third consecutive game. Six of Kentucky’s nine hitters recorded at least one hit, while four recorded two (Luke Lawrence, Hudson Brown, Tyler Bell and Shaun Montoya). Bell capped off an incredible weekend series, which saw him go 8-13 at the plate with three doubles, a home run and seven RBI.
Cleaver made his seventh start of the season and looked great once again. In 5 2/3 innings of work, the sophomore left-hander held the Aggies to just two runs on three hits with seven strikeouts. His 2.50 ERA ranks fifth overall and first among second-year arms in the SEC.
Adcock, Harris and Nove followed Cleaver on the mound, allowing a combined three hits and three runs in just 1 1/3 innings. However, the ‘Cats were once again able to overcome unsteady relief pitching to hold on for the win.
‘Cats jump out to early lead, but Aggies respond
For the third consecutive game, Kentucky jumped out to an early lead over Texas A&M.
Luke Lawrence, who entered Sunday’s series finale 6-15 with two doubles, a triple and four RBI in his last 15 at-bats, opened the game with a leadoff single to quickly grab momentum for the ‘Cats. Following a Cole Hage strikeout and a Hudson Brown walk, a red-hot Tyler Bell strutted to the plate.
The freshman phenom went 4-4 in Saturday’s game with a double, a home run and four RBI. His hot streak continued early on Sunday, as he laced an RBI-double down the right field line to score Lawrence from second. The early Wildcat lead however didn’t last long.
After forcing a groundout to open his day on the mound, Ben Cleaver walked Jace LaViolette and plunked Wyatt Henseler to put two runners on for A&M with just one out. He then allowed an RBI-single to Caden Sorrell and an RBI sac-fly to superstar freshman Bear Harrison, giving the Aggies a 2-1 advantage.
Three-run second inning propels Kentucky back in front
Kentucky lost its lead in the bottom of the first, but quickly regained it (for good) in the top of the second.
Griffin Cameron and Shaun Montoya both singled to open the half inning, putting two on with just one out (a Devin Burkes fly-out). With Cameron on third following the Burkes fly-out, the pesky ‘Cats employed the sac-bunt.
Luke Lawrence layed a perfect bunt down the third base line, which A&M pitcher Myles Patton fielded and flipped home to A&M catcher Bear Harrison. Cameron however slid in safely under the tag, tying the game at two. This would not be the only RBI sac-bunt layed down by Kentucky in the half inning however.
Kentucky’s batting leader Cole Hage singled to left center to bring home Montoya and give Kentucky a 3-2 lead, and then Hudson Brown layed down an RBI sac-bunt to score Lawrence from third. Suddenly, the ‘Cats had gone from down one to up two in the span of one half inning.
Big fifth inning hands Wildcats commanding lead
Clinging to a 4-2 lead through four innings, a four-run fifth frame for the Bat ‘Cats propelled them to an insurmountable lead.
Hudson Brown and Tyler Bell singled and Patrick Herrera was plunked to open the inning, quickly loading the bases before recording a single out. A&M’s pitching began to falter in the fifth, as Ethan Hindle was also hit by a pitch to bring home another Wildcat run.
Griffin Cameron brought home Tyler Bell from third with an RBI sac-fly, and Luke Lawrence capped off the big inning with a two-run single (his second and third RBIs of the game). Kentucky’s lead grew to six runs, and that was good enough run support for Ben Cleaver.
Cleaver had a dominant day on the mound for Kentucky, as he held A&M to just three hits and two runs with seven strikeouts over 5 2/3 innings. He did not allow a single run over his final five innings of work.
Kentucky clinches first SEC series victory of the season
Once Cleaver’s day ended, the Aggies tried to climb back in the ballgame.
Texas A&M plated three runs in the bottom of the seventh inning on a Terrence Kiel II two-run triple and a Wyatt Henseler RBI-single, making it a three-run game. However, Kentucky’s Hudson Brown slammed the door shut in the eighth.
On a 3-1 hitter’s count, Brown hit a solo home run over the right field fence to tack on an insurance run to Kentucky’s lead. His longball was his first of the season and first of his young career.
One more run was scored thanks to an RBI-fielder’s choice from Griffin Cameron, making it a 10-5 game. Left-hander Jackson Nove then returned to the mound in the bottom of the eighth for the ‘Cats and kept the Aggies scoreless. The game was called following the eighth inning due to curfew, giving Kentucky the win.
What’s next for Kentucky?
Fresh off its first SEC series victory of the season, the ‘Cats have a week off before hosting No. 15 Ole Miss at Kentucky Proud Park next weekend. First pitch in Friday’s series opener is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. EST.
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