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RECAP: Cats split doubleheader with Auburn, win series between Top 10 clubs

Kentucky's Ben Aklinski connected with a pitch in Sunday's doubleheader at Cliff Hagan Stadium.
Kentucky's Ben Aklinski connected with a pitch in Sunday's doubleheader at Cliff Hagan Stadium. (Jeff Drummond/Cats Illustrated)

LEXINGTON, Ky. -- Kentucky shook off a disappointing loss in the first game of a Sunday doubleheader against Auburn to crush the Tigers in the second game and claim the weekend series between Top 10 SEC clubs.

The No. 6 Wildcats blew a 1-0 lead in the final inning of the opener before losing 4-3, but they bounced back for a 13-3 win in the finale at Cliff Hagan Stadium.

Kentucky (17-7, 2-4 SEC) got home runs from Tristan Pompey and Kole Cottam to highlight a 15-hit attack in the win. Pompey, a junior outfielder, had four hits and drove in five runs for the Cats.

Senior third baseman Luke Heyer added three hits and drove in a pair of runs for UK, which scored in every inning of the blowout, including a five-run third.

The massive run support made it easy for Kentucky starter Justin Lewis (4-2), who overcame five walks to allow only one earned run on one hit over five innings on the mound.

Tanner Burns (2-3) took the loss for Auburn, allowing four runs -- three earned -- on four hits and three walks in a brief, two-inning start.

The No. 9 Tigers dropped to 20-5 overall and 3-3 in the SEC.

It may have been a sweep for the Cats if not for an uncharacteristic outing for reliable closer Chris Machamer (1-1) in the first game. The sophomore right-hander gave up four runs on six hits in the Tigers' final trip to the plate to blow a 1-0 lead and the save opportunity.

Auburn had only two hits entering the inning but collected four straight against Machamer, including a a game-tying double by Luke Jarvis and the go-ahead RBI on single by Steven Williams.

Ben Aklinski hit a two-run homer in the bottom of the seventh to pull the Cats within 4-3, but Auburn closer Calvin Coker nailed down his fourth save of the season to win it for Welby Malczewski (3-0).

Zach Haake started for UK but lasted only 3.2 innings due to control problems. He allowed no runs on one hit and struck out two but walked four and threw 70 pitches before giving way to the bullpen. Relievers Mason Hazelwood and Alec Maley held the lead at 1-0 over the next 1.1 innings.

Kentucky returns to action on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. ET against Miami (Ohio) at Cliff Hagan Stadium.

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