Fine Fifteen: Kentucky Walks Off No. 2 Texas in 15 Innings
Griffin Cameron failed to get a bunt down in a critical situation earlier in the game and was committed to making sure it didn’t happen again.
Cameron executed to perfection on his make-good opportunity, laying down an effective bunt with Devin Burkes on first that ultimately ended up in the heart and soul of the Wildcats racing around the bases to score the winning run in Kentucky’s 5-4, 15-inning victory over No. 2 Texas on Saturday.
The two teams will meet on Sunday for the series.
Kentucky (19-13, 6-8 Southeastern Conference) jumped out to a 2-0 lead before the Longhorns hit a pair of home runs, their first two hits, to go ahead 3-2. The Cats tied the score before Texas took the lead in the eighth inning. Enter Ethan Hindle, who jumped on a hanging breaking ball to lead off the ninth and tied the game at four.
It took six more innings of baseball before Burkes led off the 15th with a clean single to left. Cameron laid down a bunt on the next pitch and raced down the line. The catcher did not barehand the ball cleanly on his first pickup attempt then fired a throw wide of the bag as Cameron and the ball arrived at the same time. The ball careened into right field, allowing Burkes to race home as assistant coach Austin Cousino put on the windmill at third.
NOTES
- Kentucky is 19-13 (6-8 SEC) on the season.
- UK now is 2-3 this season in and 16-10 in the Mingione era in extra-inning games.
- This was the fourth extra inning game in the last six contests.
- Each of UK’s last four walk-offs have ended in a 5-4 result.
- This was UK’s sixth consecutive game against a ranked opponent.
- UK has knocked out the opposing starting pitcher in 4.0 or fewer innings in eight of 14 SEC games and none have gone more than 5.0 innings.
- UK has held a lead in all 14 SEC games.
- UK drew five HBP in the game and now have 96 on the season.
- UK entered the weekend ranked third nationally.
- UK Coach Nick Mingione is in his ninth season at the helm and now owns a 282-177 career record.
- Mingione is the second-winningest coach in school history.
- UK is 60-63 in the month of April under Coach Mingione.
- Mingione now is 1-1 vs. Texas.
- INF Ethan Hindle went 2-for-6 with a game-tying home run in the ninth.
- RHP Simon Gregersen was excellent out of the bullpen, going 4.2 innings while allowing one hit and one walk, striking out five.
- UK’s bullpen went 9.2 innings, allowing one run on five hits, striking out 13.
ON DECK
The Cats continue a series against No. 2 Texas on Sunday at noon ET at Kentucky Proud Park. It will air on the SEC Network and radio will be carried by the UK Sports Network.
