Kentucky baseball: Cats take series from Vandy for first time since 2009

LEXINGTON, Ky. — Nick Mingione's Kentucky ballclub continues to in his first season. The Wildcats swept Texas A&M in their SEC opening series, marking the first time since 2012 that Kentucky had swept a ranked SEC opponent. Kentucky took two of three from Ole Miss the next weekend and then won its series opener against Vanderbilt on Friday night to improve to 6-1 in the SEC. It was the Wildcats' best start in conference play in 25 seasons.

No. 16 Kentucky (21-7) notched another impressive feat as it beat Vanderbilt 7-4 on Saturday to win its first series over the Commodores since 2009. Zach Logue improved to 5-1 on the season after pitching eight innings.

Evan White and Tristan Pompey had multi-hit games for the second straight day. Kole Cottam, who didn't play Friday night, had two hits and two RBIs.

The Wildcats chased Vanderbilt starter Kyle Wright, who was a preseason first-team All American, after five innings. Kentucky scored seven runs and had nine hits against Wright.

Seven different players drove in a run for Kentucky in the series opener on Friday night. On Saturday, six Wildcats drove in seven runs. Kentucky was 4 for 12 with runners in scoring position while Vanderbilt was 1-7.

Logue pitched a career-high eight innings on Saturday. He also tied a career-high with seven strikeouts. He allowed six hits and walked one batter on 105 pitches. Logue threw seven scoreless innings before Vanderbilt leadoff hitter Jeren Kendall homered to start the eighth inning.

His earned run average is at 2.22 for the season. The Commodores were just 1 for 16 with runners on base against Logue.

Colton Cleary allowed a three-run home run with two outs in the ninth inning.

Bottom 3: Marcus Carson walked with one out and Evan White doubled down the left field line to put runners on 2nd and 3rd. Carson scored on the next at-bat when Zach Reks grounded out to shortstop. Luke Becker singled to left with two outs to score White. Mahan's triple scored Becker.

Kole Cottam singled in two runners after Vanderbilt starter Kyle Wright loaded the bases. UK 5, Vanderbilt 0.

Bottom 5: Pompey hit a hard line drive just above Wright's head to score Becker with one out. Pompey stole second on the first pitch of Tyler Marshall's at-bat. Marshall singled through the left side to score Pompey. UK 7, Vanderbilt 0.

Top 8: Kendall hit a solo home run to start the 8th inning and end Logue's shutout. UK 7, Vanderbilt 1.

Top 9: Kendall's second home run of the day came with two outs and a 1-2 count. His home run cut the lead to three. Kentucky 7, Vanderbilt 4.

The series finale between Kentucky and Vanderbilt is set for 1 p.m. on Sunday afternoon. RHP Justin Lewis (4-1, 2.72) for Kentucky will face Vanderbilt RHP Drake Fellows (3-0, 1.72). Fellows will be making his first appearance since being suspended prior to the Commodores' matchup with Texas A&M.