Kentucky Drops Series to Missouri on Easter Sunday

Self-inflicted wounds opened the door for Missouri in the fifth inning and the Tigers barged through, winning this weekend’s series with a 5-2 Easter Sundat victory at Kentucky Proud Park.

Kentucky now is 23-8 overall and 6-6 in the Southeastern Conference.

The Wildcats took a 2-1 lead on Luke Lawrence’s home run in the third inning and saw Ben Cleaver mostly cruise through four innings before allowing a four-run fifth. It started with a walk to the No. 8 hitter before a throwing error on a sacrifice bunt attempt put two in scoring position with no outs. After a SAC fly tied the game, an infield squibber preceded a hit batter and walk. After another single three straight walks plated another run for a 5-2 Tigers lead.

UK hammered several balls throughout the game but again found the big hit elusive in going 2-for-19 with runners on base. In the Cats’ two losses in the series they went 5-for-37 with runners on base. The Cats did get the tying run to the plate in the ninth inning before a groundout ended it.

NOTES

• Kentucky is 23-8 on the season, 6-6 in SEC play.
  • UK is 141-70 since the beginning of 2023.
• UK Coach Nick Mingione is in his 10th season at the helm and now owns a 316-200 career record.
  • Mingione is the second-winningest coach in school history.
  • Mingione is 120-130 in SEC games.
  • Mingione now is 14-10 vs. Missouri.
  • Mingione is 15-10 vs. teams from the state of Missouri.
• IF Luke Lawrence has reached safely in 36 consecutive games with a solo home run.

ON DECK

UK hosts Louisville on Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. ET. The game is on SEC Network and the contest can be heard on UK Sports Network/630 WLAP.