Baseball
Free Passes Haunt No. 23 Kentucky in SEC-opening Defeat

Free Passes Haunt No. 23 Kentucky in SEC-opening Defeat

ATHENS, Ga. – No. 23 Kentucky took an early four-run lead but couldn’t hold off No. 3 Georgia’s relentless and patient offense, dropping a 12-6 decision in Friday night’s Southeastern Conference opener.

The Wildcats (13-3, 0-1 SEC) used a three-run first inning home run from Cole Hage and clutch RBI from both Devin Burkes and Patrick Herrera to go ahead 6-3 through three innings but the Bulldogs (20-1, 1-0) capitalized on 11 base on balls and four HBP as they stormed back.

It followed a familiar pattern this season from Georgia, which has made a habit of falling behind early in games before rallying. Second in the nation in home runs entering the game, Georgia hit three on the night, include Ryland Zabrowki’s 11th and Robbie Burnett’s 10th.

The Cats drew 11 combined walks and HBP on their own but did not turn those into runs at the same rate as the Bulldogs.

 

NOTES

  • Kentucky is 13-3 (0-1 SEC) on the season.
  • UK has 99 wins since the beginning of the 2023 season (99-40).
  • UK has been hit by a pitch 25 times in the last seven games.
  • UK Coach Nick Mingione is in his ninth season at the helm and now owns a 275-169 career record.
    • Mingione now is the second-winningest coach in school history.
    • UK is 108-39 in the month of March under Coach Mingione.
    • Mingione now is 11-11 vs. Georgia.
  • Senior OF Cole Hage went 1-for-5 with a run, three RBI and a home run.
    • He hit a three-run home run in his first SEC at bat.
  • Junior IF Luke Lawrence reached base three times (two walks, HBP).
  • Senior IF Patrick Herrera went 1-for-2 with two RBI, a walk, a steal and a HBP.
    • He had a two-run single in a three-run third inning.
  • Redshirt Freshman RHP Tommy Skelding struck out four in 2.0 innings.

 ON DECK

Kentucky is at No. 3 Georgia again on Saturday at 2 p.m. ET. It will be streamed on SECN+ and radio will be carried by the UK Sports Network.

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