Pompey Belts Pair of Home Runs to Continue Breakout

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Tristan Pompey slammed the first pitch of the game over the left field wall as part of a two home run, three-hit game to extend his white-hot stretch at the plate but No. 10 Kentucky couldn’t overcome Missouri’s power show, falling 9-8 with the wind blowing out at Taylor Stadium on Saturday night.

The Wildcats (24-12, 9-5 SEC) were undermined by the long ball for the second straight Saturday, as Trey Harris belted three homers and Brett Bond two round-trippers in the game. Both players homered in the ninth inning of UK’s win Friday night, giving them seven in two games. 

Pompey was a bright spot for UK, continuing a blistering streak from both sides of the plate. He homered to straight away centerfield in his second at bat, singled in his third and walked in the fourth, the fourth time in five games he had at least three hits. In his last six games he is 15-for-23 (.652) with three doubles, three home runs and seven RBI. His leadoff home run was the first for UK since Austin Cousino did so vs. Cincinnati on April 17, 2012.

The Cats battled back within a run in the seventh inning on Evan White’s RBI and Zach Reks’ two-run double but the Tigers (26-10, 7-7) answered back with a pair of runs in their half of the inning to stem the shift in momentum.

Top 1st – Tristan Pompey homered to LCF. UK 1, Mizzou 0.

Bottom 1st – Connor Brumfield walked. Trey Harris homered to CF. Mizzou 2, UK 1.

Top 3rd – Marcus Carson homered to RCF. Pompey homered to CF. UK 3, Mizzou 2.

Bottom 3rd – Harris homered to LF. UK 3, Mizzou 3.

Bottom 4th – Alex Samples hit a leadoff double to RCF. Chris Cornelius doubled to LCF with two outs, scoring Samples. Mizzou 4, UK 3.

Bottom 5th – Harris homered to CF. Brett Bond homered to RCF. Mizzou 6, UK 3.

Bottom 6th – Kirby McGuire was hit by a pitch and moved to second on Cornelius’ single. McGuire and Cornelius moved up on a wild pitch. McGuire scored on a groundout to second by Connor Brumfield. Mizzou 7, UK 3.

Top 7th – Carson walked, Connor Heady singled and Pompey walked to load the bases. Evan White hit into a fielder’s choice that scored Carson. Reks doubled down LF line at end of nine-pitch, two-out at bat, scoring Heady and White. Mizzou 7, UK 6.

Bottom 7th – Bond homered to LF. Brian Sharp walked, moved to second on a groundout and scored on Kameron Misner’s single to CF. Mizzou 9, UK 6.

Top 9th – Pompey hit by pitch. White with a two-out HR to LCF. Mizzou 9, UK 8.

Pompey had another brilliant night at the plate, which somewhat overshadowed Evan White’s equally terrific effort. White finished 3-for-4 with two runs scored and three RBI, including a two-run home run in the ninth inning. The Cats drew just two walks for the second straight night, the first time all season they’ve drawn two or fewer in back-to-back games.

Starter Zach Logue had an all-or-nothing night, striking out a career-high nine hitters, but also allowing six extra base hits, including four home runs – three to Trey Harris – on a season-high 106 pitches. Logue’s final line was 10 hits, seven runs, one walk and nine strikeouts in 5.1 innings. Brad Schaenzer gave up a pair of runs in an inning-plus of work. Chris Machamer and Austin Keen and Zach Pop finished the game.

• Junior 1B Evan White went 3-for-4 with a home run, two runs scored and three RBI.

    o White now has 187 career hits, good for 18th place on UK’s career hits list and within one of tying Michael Bertram (2003-06) for 17th. 

    o White has homered in two of the last three games.

• Sophomore OF Tristan Pompey went 3-for-3 with a pair of solo home runs, a walk and a hit by pitch.

    o Pompey is the first UK player to lead off the game with a home run since Austin Cousino did so vs. Cincinnati on April 17, 2012.

    o Pompey reached base in all five plate appearances.

    o Pompey now has hit safely in 23 of his past 25 games.

    o Pompey is 15-for-23 (.652) in his past six games. 

• Junior left-handed starter Zach Logue struck out a career-high nine hitters.

    o Logue also threw a season-high 106 pitches in 5.1 innings.

Kentucky will try to win the series on Sunday afternoon, taking on Mizzou at 1 p.m. ET at Taylor Stadium. Fans can listen on the UK Sports Network via UKathletics.com and iHeart Radio, as well as on 630 AM WLAP, and watch on the SEC Network.