Walk This Way: Kentucky Takes Advantage of Free Bases in Win

Reuben Church reached base safely all six times he stepped to the plate and Kentucky drew 11 walks (plus four hit by pitch) as it hammered previously undefeated Morehead State 15-1 on a glorious day at Kentucky Proud Park.

Kentucky (6-2) now has outscored its opponents 30-1 the past two games.

In addition to Church setting a new career-high in hits, he also drove in four runs and scored three times as every UK starter had a hit in the game. Four Wildcats had multiple RBI and the Cats blew the game open with and eight-run fourth inning and later added a six-run seventh as Morehead (8-1) used 10 different pitchers. Jase Felker and Chase Stanke each drew three base on balls each.

NOTES

• UK Coach Nick Mingione is in his seventh season at the helm and now owns a 182-131 career record.
• Kentucky is 115-38 in non-conference games under Coach Mingione.
  • UK is 101-16 vs. non-Power Five opponents.
  • UK is 38-16 in the month of February under Coach Mingione.
• UK pitchers have struck out 85 through eight games.
• UK drew at least 10 bases on balls for the first time since March 11, 2022 vs. High Point.
• UK has held its opponents to three runs or fewer in seven of eight games.
• UK has scored 30 runs in its past 16 innings at the plate.
  • It has outscored its opponents 30-1 in the past two games.
• Redshirt freshman and Danville, Kentucky native Christian Howe made his collegiate debut.
• Catcher Devin Burkes currently has reached base safely in 21 consecutive games dating to the 2022 season.
  • He has a career-best seven-game hit streak.
• First baseman Hunter Gilliam has started 121 consecutive games at the collegiate level.
  • He has reached safely in all eight games this season.
  • He now has three multi-RBI games this season to lead the Cats.
• Infielder Grant Smith has started all 124 games of his collegiate career.
• Infielder Reuben Church went four-for-four with three runs, four RBI, a walk and HBP.
  • He reached base all six times he came to the plate.
  • He set a new career-high with those four hits.
• Infielder Jase Felker entered as a replacement for an injured teammate and went 2-for-2 with two runs and three walks.

ON DECK

Kentucky will open a weekend series against Indiana State on Friday, March 3 at 4 p.m. ET at Kentucky Proud Park. The game will be streamed on SECN+. The radio call will be on the UK Sports Network.