Walker, Rouse Pitch Kentucky Past Wofford on Sunday

As the Kentucky baseball team topped Wofford on Sunday, claiming the rubber game of the three-game series, a pair of outstanding pitching performances enabled the Cats to prevail.

Junior lefty Ethan Walker started for the Cats and he pitched five strong innings. The Longwood transfer allowed only one unearned run while giving up just two hits, walking none and striking out four. He retired the last 10 batters he faced in the game.

In relief, senior right-hander Scott Rouse was equally as impressive. The transfer from Radford pitched the final four innings, allowing no runs, just three hits, walking two and striking out four. Rouse picked up his third win of the season in the process. Rouse lowered his ERA to 0.60 on the season. He has allowed only one earned run in 15 innings pitched.

UK head coach Nick Mingione was impressed with both of his pitchers on Sunday.

“We challenged them to attack and pound the strike zone early,” Mingione said. “That’s exactly what E Walk did. Scott Rouse came in, did exactly what we asked him to do. He pitched and attacked like he was supposed to and it was awesome.”

Mingione praised his team for being coachable and for accepting the challenges that he and the coaching staff have put in front of them.

“I’ve asked them to do three things lately,” Mingione said. “Learn, grow and improve, and we’ve continued to do that.”

Rouse knew how important it was for the Cats to bounce back today, after losing to Wofford 12-5 on Saturday. It was especially important with Southeastern Conference play beginning next weekend.

“It was huge. We needed it,” Rouse said. “We have conference play next week, so it’s a good thing that we were able to come back today and win it.”

The only run allowed by UK on the day was unearned and came via a throwing error. Over the course of the final seven innings, Wofford did not have a runner advance past second base.

Rouse pitched out of an eighth-inning jam when Wofford appeared poised to tie the game. With one out, Rouse walked two consecutive batters but was able to get a double play to get out of the jam. How was Rouse able to maintain his poise in a tough situation like the one he faced in the eighth inning?

“I trust my teammates,” Rouse said. “I trust that they are going to make plays behind me. Guys picked me up the whole time.”

Kentucky finds itself at 12-2 with only a Tuesday matchup against Northern Illinois keeping them from conference play. The Cats needed a pick-me-up on Sunday and they got just that via terrific outings from Walker and Rouse.