LEXINGTON, Ky. – The Kentucky baseball series finale with No. 12 Arkansas on Sunday has had its official final score changed after consulting with the Southeastern Conference and NCAA offices, altering the score from a 4-1 final to a 5-1 final, with the statistics accumulated in the top of the sixth inning and through two outs in the bottom of the sixth inning counting, it was announced by UK and Arkansas on Monday afternoon.
The series finale was halted with two outs in the bottom of the sixth inning, with UK trailing Arkansas 5-1 and runners on first and third base after lightning was discovered by the umpiring crew. The game was stopped at 6:53 p.m. ET, which was just ahead of the 7 p.m. ET curfew set by the SEC office, meaning after the 30 minute delay for lightning, the game could not be resumed after 7 p.m. ET.
After reading the NCAA scoring rules, it appeared that the final score reverts back to the final full inning played, making the score 4-1 after five complete innings. After UK, Arkansas and the SEC staffs consulted with the NCAA, it was determined that if the scoring and statistics do not affect the outcome of the contest, it should be counted.
Longtime Alabama baseball sports information director and noted college baseball historian Barry Allen pointed out the scoring rules in such a situation, with the two teams getting help from SEC officials Charles Bloom and Chuck Dunlap, in addition to NCAA official Jim Wright.
Here is an expert from the official NCAA rule book:
“SECTION 28. a. If a regulation game is called, include the record of all individual and team actions up to the moment the game ends as specified in Rule 5-8-b.
“A.R. 1—If the scoring during an incomplete inning has no bearing on the outcome of the contest, include all individual and team records.”
In the sixth inning, with the curfew about to kick in and a storm system approaching Central Kentucky, the two teams hustled to get in as many innings as possible. Arkansas got a solo homer from All-America catcher James McCann to lead off the top of the sixth inning, with UK starter Taylor Rogers setting down Jarrod McKinney, Kyle Atkins and Tim Carver after allowing the homer. In the bottom of the sixth inning, UK mounted a rally, as Michael Williams doubled with one out into the right-centerfield gap. After Brian Adams struck out, freshman Matt Reida collected his career-high third hit of the game on a single up the middle, bringing Chad Wright and the top of the order to the plate. Before Wright could get to the plate, the game was called at 6:53 p.m. ET.
