Zeke Happens: Lewis Leads Way in Final Home Game

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Playing his final home game in a Kentucky uniform Zeke Lewis made sure he exited the field in style. The senior infielder matched career-highs with three hits and two runs while also scoring the last run in the Wildcats’ 8-4 victory over Tennessee Tech at Kentucky Proud Park.
 
The Cats (28-20) now take to the road, ending the regular season at No. 2 Vanderbilt before arriving in Hoover, Alabama next week for the Southeastern Conference Tournament. Tuesday night’s win over the Golden Eagles provided a jolt of positive energy and momentum as the team seeks to earn its way into an NCAA Regional.
 
Should that happen, Lewis will likely play a large role. With his 3-for-4 effort against Tennessee Tech the Atlanta native raised his batting average to .433 since returning from injury nine games ago. During that span he’s had a hit in seven games with four multi-hit efforts, all while playing a superb defensive second base.
 
Joining Lewis in Tuesday’s hit parade was junior utility man Austin Schultz, who delivered three hits, also tying his career best. He demolished a three-run home run in a four-run second inning that dug UK out of an early 3-0 hole and recorded his 23^rd multi-hit game of the season, second-most in the SEC behind Auburn’s Ryan Bliss.
 
On the mound, freshman right-hander Ryan Hagenow earned the win but senior righty Holt Jones stole the show with three shutout innings of work in relief. Jones struck out six, four more than his previous high during his one season at UK.
 
 
GAME SCORING
Top 2^nd – Gilliland singled to RF and advanced to second on Lacy’s fielder’s choice bunt attempt. Bryant IV singled to LF, Gilliland to third, Lacy to second. Johnson reached on an infield single, Gilliland scored. Roberts blooped a single to shallow CF, Bryant and Lacy scored. Tenn. Tech 3, UK 0.
 
Bottom 2^nd – Alonzo Rubalcaba and Zeke Lewis singled and scored on Austin Schultz’s home run to LF. T.J. Collett doubled down the LF line, John Rhodes and Coltyn Kessler walked. Cam Hill grounded out to 1B, Collett scored. UK 4, Tenn. Tech 3.
 
Top 3^rd – Hinchman homered to LF. UK 4, Tenn. Tech 4.
 
Bottom 3^rd – Chase Estep singled and scored on a Lewis double into the LF corner. UK 5, Tenn. Tech 4.
 
Bottom 5^th – Ryan Ritter was hit by a pitch, moved to second on a passed ball, to third on a deep flyout by Estep and scored on a wild pitch. UK 6, Tenn. Tech 4.
 
Bottom 7^th – Hill homered to RCF. UK 7, Tenn. Tech 4.
 
Bottom 8^th – Lewis singled for his third hit of the game, stole second, advanced to third and then scored on a wild pitch. UK 8, Tenn. Tech 4.
 
 
NOTES

• UK is 28-20 overall, 11-16 in SEC play.
• The Cats are 22-13 at Kentucky Proud Park this season.
• UK is 91-30 vs. non-conference opponents under head coach Nick Mingione.
  • The Cats finished non-conference play at 17-4 this season.
  • The Cats are 71-13 in non-conference home games.
  • The Cats are 79-11 vs. non-Power Five conference opponents.
• The Cats are 73-of-78 on stolen base attempts this season.
  • UK’s .936 success rate is the highest of any team with 50 or more stolen bases.

• Senior IF Zeke Lewis went 3-for-4 with two runs, an RBI and a stolen base.

  • The three hits and two runs tied his career-highs in his final home game.
  • In nine games since returning from injury Lewis is 13-for-30 (.433) with four multi-hit games.
  • Lewis is 12-of-13 in stolen base attempts this season.
• Senior 1B T.J. Collett Collett went 2-for-5 with a run and double.
  • Collett has reached base safely in 23 of his past 24 games.
  • Collett logged his 15^th multi-hit game of the season and 42^nd career.
  • Collett now has 157 career hits, moving him into a tie with Chris Bisson (2008-10) for 29^th on the school’s all-time list.

• Sophomore OF John Rhodes was hit by a pitch and walked.

  • Has reached safely in 13 straight games and 21 of last 22 overall.
  • He has drawn a walk and/or been hit by a pitch in 31 games this season.
• Junior IF/OF Austin Schultz went 3-for-5 with a run, three RBI and home run.
  • Schultz has reached base safely in 97 of 106 career games with a plate appearance.
  • He has recorded a hit in 81 of those 106 games.
  • Schultz tied his career-high with three hits.
  • He now has 23 multi-hit games this season and 38 in his career.
    • He has the second-most multi-hit games in the SEC this season.
  • Schultz is 21-of-23 on steals this season and now has 36 for his career.
  • Schultz now has 127 career hits, moving him into a tie with Mike Breyman (2003-04) for 41^st place on the school’s all-time list.
• Senior C Coltyn Kessler went 1-for-3 with a walk.
  • Kessler has reached safely in 33 of his past 36 games.
  • Kessler has a hit in 15 of past 17 games.
• Senior RHP Holt Jones pitched 3.0 shutout innings, allowing two hits and striking out six.
  • Jones set UK career-highs in innings and strikeouts.

 
 
ON DECK
Kentucky begins a three-game series at No. 2 Vanderbilt on Thursday that will complete the regular season. First pitch is set for 7:30 p.m. ET on the SEC Network Plus. The radio call will be on the UK Sports Network.