Thompson Produces Strong Outing but Cats Fall in Extras

CINCINNATI – Freshman Zack Thompson pitched six scoreless innings and tied his career high with eight strikeouts and the bullpen didn’t allow an earned run but timely hitting eluded Kentucky in a 2-1, 10-inning defeat at Cincinnati.

 

The loss ended a six-game winning streak for the Wildcats (8-6) on a sunny day with the wind blowing in briskly from left field at Marge Schott Stadium. The Wildcats are now 2-5 in one-run games and will look to start a new streak when Miami (Ohio) arrives in Lexington on Thursday evening.

Thompson retired 13 straight batters after a bumpy start the first time through the order before A.J. Bumpass looped a single into right field with one out in the sixth. Thompson worked around the hit and at one point sat down seven of nine hitters on strikes.

In a close game where the offenses were stifled by the blustery conditions, the Bearcats (5-6) took advantage of two uncharacteristic miscues by the UK defense. In the seventh, Kyle Mottice’s reached on an infield single and advanced to second on Ryan Noda’s walk. Mason DeAnna hit a soft single to RF, drawing a throw home that glanced off catcher Kole Cottam’s mitt, allowing Mottice to race home from third.

UK tied the game in the eighth on junior infielder Luke Becker’s double, senior infielder Connor Heady’s bunt that moved Becker to third and junior first baseman Evan White’s sacrifice fly that forced extra innings.

In the 10th, No. 9 hitter Eric Santiago drew a four-pitch leadoff walk and was on second with two outs when R.J. Thompson chopped a ball to third. Redshirt freshman infielder Zeke Lewis charged the ball and fielded it cleanly but made an errant throw to first, allowing Santiago to score the game-winning run.

After scoring 61 runs in six games at home the Cats’ offense couldn’t solve the wind and Cincinnati’s pitching, managing four hits. Luke Heyer hit a pair of doubles and Luke Becker sliced one down the LF line but UK couldn’t string enough hits together to scratch another run across the plate.

Despite the loss, UK’s pitching staff owns a 0.86 earned run average over its past seven games, including a pair of starts by Zack Thompson, who was terrific again after some early wildness. Zach Pop and Logan Salow did their part but each yielded an unearned run, including the game-winner. For the day, the staff gave up just five hits and struck out 13 but six walks, including one to leadoff the 10th inning, came back to haunt the staff.

Bottom 7th – Kyle Mottice’s reached on an infield single and advanced to second on Ryan Noda’s walk. Mason DeAnna hit a soft single to RF, drawing a throw home that glanced off catcher Kole Cottam’s mitt, allowing Mottice to race home from third. Cincinnati 1, UK 0.

Top 8th – Pinch hitter Luke Becker sliced a double just inside the LF line to lead off the inning and beat the throw to third with a headfirst slide on Connor Heady’s sacrifice bunt attempt. Evan White scored Becker with a deep SAC fly to RF. UK 1, Cincinnati 1.

Bottom 10th – Eric Santiago walked to start the inning and moved to second on a SAC bunt. R.J. Thompson chopped a two-out grounder to third that was fielding cleanly but thrown wide of first, allowing Santiago to score. Cincinnati 2, UK 1.

• Freshman LHP Zack Thompson pitched six scoreless innings, lowering his ERA to 2.70 in three starts.

     oThompson matched his career high with eight strikeouts.

     oThompson matched his career high with six innings pitched.

     oThe three hits were his fewest allowed in a game.

• Junior infielder Luke Heyer had two doubles in the game, giving him five on the season.

     oSeven of Heyer’s eight hits have gone for extra bases (5 doubles, 2 home runs) and has a slugging percentage of .792.

UK returns home for its final non-conference weekend series, hosting Miami (Ohio) in a three-game set at Cliff Hagan Stadium. Due to a snowy forecast, the series opener now will be Thursday, with first pitch slated for 6 p.m. Fans can listen on the UK Sports Network via UKathletics.com and iHeart Radio or 98.5 FM in the Lexington area. The game also will be aired on SECN+ via WatchESPN.