February 14, 2026 - 11:07 PM

No. 18 Kentucky Sweeps UNC Greensboro on Opening Weekend

Greensboro, N.C. – For Kentucky fans, to love a thief took on a whole new meaning on Valentine’s Day.

The No. 18 Wildcats swept a doubleheader on Saturday at UNC Greensboro, 11-3 and 10-6, to finish off an opening weekend sweep that saw them steal 23 bases in as many attempts, including four by Ethan Hindle in the final game. Four different Cats stole at least three bases in a game over the weekend.

Hindle, Alex Duffey and Ryan Schwartz each showed the power and speed combination, combining for five doubles, three triples and 11 stolen bases. Luke Lawrence added a team-best seven RBI on the weekend.

NOTES

Kentucky is 3-0 on the season.
- UK has begun the season on the road 27 of the past 28 seasons.
- UK is 120-63 since the beginning of 2023.
UK Coach Nick Mingione is in his 10th season at the helm and now owns a 296-192 career record.
- Mingione is the second-winningest coach in school history.
- UK is 56-18 in the month of February under Coach Mingione.
- Mingione is 172-52 in non-conference games.
  - He is 151-23 vs. non-Power Four opponents.
- Mingione now is 3-0 vs. UNCG.
Kentucky went 23-of-23 on stolen bases this weekend.
Kentucky had five triples in three games.
UK starting pitchers in the series: 12.0 IP, 8 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 22 K
UK was hit by eight pitches in the doubleheader.
OF/UT Ryan Schwartz went 5-for-7 with four runs, two RBI, two walks, two doubles and three steals in the DH.
- In the first game he set a new career high with four hits.
- He was 4-for-4, 2 R, RBI, 2B, 3 SB
- Extended his on base streak to 23 games.
IF Ethan Hindle went 4-for-6 with five runs scored, three RBI, three doubles, two walks, an HBP and five stolen bases in the DH.
- He stole four bases in Game Two.
C Alex Duffey served as the DH in both games.
- In the opener he went 3-for-4 with two runs, three RBI, a triple, a walk and three steals.
IF Luke Lawrence had seven RBI on the weekend.
LHP Ben Cleaver pitched four scoreless innings.
- 0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 7 K.
RHP Burkley Bounds was terrific in the opener: 2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, BB, 5 K
RHP Nate Harris started Game 2. His final line: 4.0 IP, 3 H, R, 0 BB, 5 K
Players who made their Kentucky debut: RHP Ira Austin IV, RHP Jack Bennett, RHP Burkley Bounds, C Alex Duffey, RHP Ryan Mullan, LHP Jackson Soucie and RHP/UT Cameron Owens.