Late surge sends Kentucky past No. 4 Tennessee 8-2, earning series victory
For the first time since 2016, Kentucky has won a road series in Knoxville.
After dropping the opening game of the series on Friday, the ‘Cats evened the series with a 4-1 victory on Saturday and finished off No. 4 Tennessee with a dominant 8-2 win on Sunday. Kentucky is now 22-15 (8-10) and squarely on the right side of the NCAA Tournament bubble.
The ‘Cats totaled just four hits and three runs through seven innings, but exploded for seven hits and five runs over the final two frames. Nine different Kentucky batters totaled at least one hit, while Devin Burkes and Carson Hansen totaled two.
Sophomore left-hander Ben Cleaver made his 10th start on Sunday and continued to prove himself as one of the best young arms in the conference, as he held Tennessee to just five hits and two earned runs with seven strikeouts over seven innings. His season ERA is now 2.83, which ranks fifth in the SEC.
With the win, Kentucky earned their first road series win over the ‘Vols since 2016 and first top-five ranked road series win since 2015 (No. 5 Florida).
‘Cats jump out to early lead
After a scoreless first inning for both teams, Kentucky jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the top of the second.
Two quick outs were recorded, but Carson Hansen kept the half-inning alive with a single to center field. Tennessee starting right-hander Tegan Kuhns then walked the next two batters, bringing freshman Ryan Schwartz to the plate with the bases loaded.
Schwartz won the battle of the freshmen, as he drove home Kentucky’s first run of the game with an RBI-single to left field. Following Hansen’s score, Devin Burkes was then able to score from third on a wild pitch to make it 2-0 ‘Cats.
“Slim Reaper” dominates again
Ben Cleaver once again showed up and showed out on Sunday.
After what was his worst SEC start of the season last Sunday against No. 2 Texas, Cleaver delivered what may have been his best on Sunday against No. 4 Tennessee.
The left-hander allowed just five hits and two earned runs over seven innings, totaling seven strikeouts along the way. Over the three-game span, Kentucky’s starting pitchers (Harris, McCay and Cleaver) struck out 22 batters over 19 2/3 innings.
Cleaver’s lone mistake on Sunday came in the bottom of the sixth inning, where he allowed a two-run home run to Tennessee’s Hunter Ensley to make it a 3-2 game. This however marked the beginning of a Kentucky offensive onslaught, which led to the series victory.
Kentucky offense explodes over final two innings
Heading into the eighth inning, Kentucky clung to a 3-2 advantage. By the time the final out was recorded however, the ‘Cats were celebrating a six-run victory.
Hudson Brown started things off hot with a ground-rule double which bounced over the center field fence, immediately putting a runner in scoring position for Nick Mingione’s team. Kyuss Gargett moved him over a bag with a single to right, which allowed Brown to score on a Dylan Koontz groundout.
Tennessee attempted a double play on the Koontz grounder, but Volunteer shortstop Manny Marin missed the bag on the flip from second baseman Dean Curley. This would come back to bite Tennessee, as Gargett (who was safe on the misplay by Marin) was then drove home by an RBI-single from Patrick Herrera.
The hits just kept on coming, as Carson Hansen followed Herrera with a double to the center field fence and was driven home by a Devin Burkes RBI-single. The three-run frame propelled the ‘Cats to a 6-2 lead, which was improved upon just one inning later.
Gregersen finishes off series victory
Following a scoreless eighth inning of relief from right-hander Simon Gregersen, Tyler Bell and Griffin Cameron led off the top of the ninth with back-to-back doubles to make it 7-2 Kentucky. Cameron would then reach third and score on a Dylan Koontz RBI sac-bunt, giving the ‘Cats a six-run advantage.
Tennessee’s Andrew Fischer belted a two-out double in the bottom of the ninth, but Gregersen continued his strong play as of late to keep the Volunteers scoreless. Over his last 9 1/3 innings, the senior has allowed just two hits and no runs (No. 11 Ole Miss, No. 1 Texas and No. 4 Tennessee).
With the win, Kentucky should be squarely in the NCAA Tournament field as of now and could possibly even crack the Top-25 if it can win Tuesday’s meeting with No. 17 Louisville and win its home series against South Carolina next weekend.
What’s next for Kentucky?
Following its series victory over Tennessee, the ‘Cats will be back in action on Tuesday against rival No. 17 Louisville. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. EST at Kentucky Proud Park.
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