No. 23 Kentucky Overcomes Uncharacteristic Sloppiness
Luke Lawrence and Cole Hage provided the offense and veterans Evan Byers and Jackson Nove were lights out on the mound as No. 23 Kentucky overcame an unusually sloppy performance to hold off Hofstra 7-5 in Friday’s series opener at Kentucky Proud Park.
Lawrence and Hage combined for five hits – including three doubles and a home run – and four RBI at the top third of UK’s batting order. Both stole a base as well, including Hage teaming with freshman Tyler Bell to pull off a double steal of second and home.
The efforts helped the Cats (7-1) win their sixth consecutive game despite the uncharacteristic defensive effort that saw them finish with two official errors and several other misplays. Hofstra scored three runs in the ninth and had the go-ahead run at the plate before Simon Gregersen closed the door with a strikeout.
Starting pitcher Nic McCay did not have his best stuff but battled through 4.1 innings, striking out six before Byers induced a critical double play back to the mound. Nove then entered and struck out five in 2.0 innings to give him 17 in just 7.0 innings this season. He did not allow a hit.
NOTES
- Kentucky is 7-1 on the season and has won six straight games.
- UK has 93 wins since the beginning of the 2023 season (93-38).
- UK has scored 60 total runs the past five games (12.0/game)
- UK Coach Nick Mingione is in his ninth season at the helm and now owns a 269-167 career record.
- Mingione now is the second-winningest coach in school history.
- UK is 53-18 in the month of February under Coach Mingione.
- Mingione is 158-46 in non-conference games overall and 138-20 vs. non-Power Five opponents.
- Mingione now is 1-0 vs. Hofstra.
- UK has outscored its opponents 73-19 on the season.
- Senior RHP Nic McCay pitched 4.1 innings, allowing his first earned run (and one unearned) on two hits, walked four and struck out six.
- Senior LHP Jackson Nove struck out five in 2.0 IP.
- He now has 16 K in 7.0 IP this season.
- Junior IF Luke Lawrence went 2-for-4 with two runs, two RBI, a double, a solo home run and a steal.
- Senior OF Cole Hage went 3-for-4 with a run, two RBI, two doubles and a steal.
- His four doubles on the season is tied for the team lead.
ON DECK
Kentucky returns to Kentucky Proud Park on Saturday against Hofstra at 1 p.m. ET. The game will be streamed on SECN+ and radio will be carried by the UK Sports Network.
