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 11^th and Robbie Burnett’s 10^th.

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.