Kentucky Can’t Hold Off Florida Offense in Series Finale
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Ryan Johnson and Coltyn Kessler continued their torrid stretches at the plate, rapping out five hits and reaching base eight times but Kentucky was unable to hold the Florida offense under wraps, dropping the rubber game of the series 12-8 at McKethan Stadium on Sunday.
Kessler delivered three hits and three RBI for the second time in the series, again tying his career-bests in those categories. For the series, the sophomore catcher/infielder went 7-for-13 with four runs scored, six RBI, a double and a home run. Johnson, a senior outfielder, reached base nine times in three games out of the leadoff spot.
Like Friday’s opener, the Cats (22-22, 5-16 SEC) fell behind early but battled back, tying the game at eight after a four-run fifth inning. But each time the Cats scored the Gators answered back, often with the help of walks and hit by pitches at inopportune times.
Nelson Maldonado gave the Gators a lead in the first inning with a two-run home run, continuing to vex the UK pitchers during his career. It was his fifth home run against the Wildcats and he finished with eight RBI the series and 17 in his career.
The Cats will take the week off for final exams before returning to action on Friday night against Arkansas at Kentucky Proud Park to open the final three weeks of the season.
SCORING
Bottom 1st – Austin Langworthy singled up the middle and scored on Nelson Maldonado’s homer to LF. Florida 2, UK 0.
Top 2nd – Coltyn Kessler singled to CF and scored on Dalton Reed’s home run to RF. UK 2, Florida 2.
Bottom 2nd – Jud Fabian and Brady McConnell walked and scored on Langworthy’s triple to RCF. Maldonado singled to CF, scoring Langworthy, and moved to second on a groundout. Brady Smith singled through the left side, scoring Maldonado. Florida 6, UK 2.
Top 3rd – Ryan Johnson walked and Ryan Shinn singled to LF. Kessler doubled inside the 1B bag, scoring Johnson and Shinn. Florida 6, UK 4.
Bottom 4th – Langworthy singled and scored on Brady Smith’s two-out homer. Florida 8, UK 4.
Top 5th – Elliott Curtis singled to RF, moved to second on a wild pitch and third on Austin Schultz’s single. Kessler lined a single to CF, scoring Curtis. Breydon Daniel was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Cam Hill doubled to RF, scoring Schultz and Kessler. Reed hit a SAC fly to score Daniel. UK 8, Florida 8.
Bottom 5th – Jacob Young was hit by a pitch with two strikes and Fabian singled to LF. McConnell singled to LF with two strikes to score Young with Fabian advancing to third and McConnell to second on the throw home. Langworthy hit a SAC fly to CF, scoring Fabian. Florida 10, UK 8.
Bottom 6th – Smith walked and Wil Dalton was hit by a pitch. Both moved up on errant pickoff throw. Smith scored on Corey Acton’s groundout. Young doubled to RCF, scoring Dalton. Florida 12, UK 8.
NOTES
- Kentucky has scored in 108 consecutive games and 184 of the past 185 dating to the 2016 season. The lone shutout came in a seven-inning game. The current streak is the second-longest in school history.
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Senior OF Ryan Johnson reached base safely for the ninth straight game.
- He reached base nine times in the series out of the leadoff spot, including four times in Sunday’s finale.
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Sophomore C/INF Coltyn Kessler went 2-for-4 with two runs, three RBI, a double and a HBP.
- The three hits and three RBI tied career-highs, set in Friday night’s game.
- It was Kessler’s 10th multi-hit game of the season and second of the series.
- It was his fourth multi-RBI game of the season and second of the series.
- He finished the series 7-of-13 with four runs, six RBI, a double and home run.
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Freshman INF Austin Schultz He has reached base safely in 32 of the past 34 games.
- He has a five-game hit streak.
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Sophomore OF Cam Hill went 2-for-5 with a two-run double.
- It was Hill’s eighth multi-hit game of the season and his third straight multi-hit game.
ON DECK
The Cats will take the week off for final exams before returning to action Friday night against Arkansas at Kentucky Proud Park.
