Bullpen, Bottom of Order Lift Cats on Tuesday

The Kentucky baseball team needed a lift on Tuesday. Trailing Southern Illinois-Edwardsville late in the game, it was the bottom of the UK lineup that sparked a four-run, eighth-inning rally, leading the Cats to a 6-4 come-from-behind victory at Kentucky Proud Park.

Sixth-place hitter Coltyn Kessler got the rally started with a double down the right field line. Austin Schultz followed with an infield single, advancing Kessler to third. Schultz then stole second, moving the tying run into scoring position.

After Cam Hill walked to load the bases, number nine hitter Elliott Curtis ripped a single to right field, scoring Kessler and Schultz to tie the game at 4-4. After Breydon Daniel walked, Ryan Shinn came through in the clutch again, singling to right center to plate Hill and Curtis to give the Cats a lead they would not relinquish.

Kentucky head coach Nick Mingione liked how the bottom of the order sparked another rally for his team.

“I thought Coltyn Kessler started off the inning right,” Mingione said. “He was really aggressive. Then obviously Austin Schultz did a good job getting the ball in the six hole.”

Mingione was happy with his middle infielders, Schultz and Curtis, who took advantage of the chance to start on Tuesday.

“Austin has been sick two different times and it’s cost him opportunities to play,” Mingione said. “And we felt like this was an opportunity where he’s finally getting healthy and he’s finally strong again. He’s been swinging the bat in batting practice as good as anybody we have. And I thought Elliott Curtis took advantage of his opportunity today. He can do a lot of things, you saw his baserunning. Not only can he hit, this guy can run the bases, steal bases, lay down a bunt for hit. Just excited for him, taking advantage of that opportunity.”

Curtis, who was starting for just the second time this season, had a plan with the bases loaded in the eighth.

“That was his first batter of the game, I think,” Curtis said of SIUE closer Cole Milam. “I was talking with some of my teammates about the scouting report and what my plan might be. He buried two curve balls, then I got the fastball I was looking for.”

Curtis prepares himself to play in every game.

“You never know when your opportunity is going to be,” Curtis said. “It’s assuming, almost, that I’m going to start every day and being ready.”

Mingione was also quick to credit the UK bullpen that only allowed two runs in six and one-third innings.

“I thought tonight, our bullpen was absolutely fantastic,” Mingione said. “Cole Daniels again came in with a guy in scoring position and did his job. I thought Cole Ayers was magnificent. He came in with those guys on base and we needed a strikeout and he got it. I thought that was absolutely crucial.”

“Carson Coleman looked a lot better today, that was really exciting to see,” Mingione added. “And I thought Daniel Harper just did a fantastic job, an inning and two-thirds and just slammed the door.”

“If our bullpen doesn’t their job, then we don’t even get a chance to come back. If that game gets to six, seven, eight to two, who knows how the game shapes up. So again, our bullpen was magnificent. I thought Coach (Jim) Belanger did a great job managing that and having those guys ready.”

In Tuesday’s win, the bullpen and the bottom of the order helped the Cats come from behind once again.