RECAP: Kentucky Wildcats smack four HRs in 14-2 win over No. 19 Houston

Senior outfielder Luke Heyer hit two of Kentucky's four home runs Friday as the No. 7 Wildcats opened the Shriners College Classic with a 14-2 win over No. 19 Houston at Minute Maid Park.

The game was called after seven innings due to the event's "mercy rule."

Playing without its best offensive player, All-American outfielder Tristan Pompey, who is nursing a sprained ankle, Kentucky (9-1) still managed to pound out eight extra-base hits in the opener.

In addition to Heyer's team-leading fifth and sixth home runs of the young season, Kole Cottam and Ryan Johnson also went deep for the Wildcats.

Ben Aklinski had a bases-loaded double and drove in four runs, and Luke Becker added two RBI for UK.

It was more than enough run support for the Cats' ace, Sean Hjelle (3-0), who allowed only one earned run on six hits and one walk over six innings on the mound. It marked the junior right-hander's 18th career win, moving him into 11th place on UK's all-time list.

The 6-foot-11 Hjelle, last year's SEC Pitcher of the Year, lowered his season ERA to 0.92.

Kentucky hung the loss on Houston starter Trey Cumbie (0-1), the 2017 American Conference Pitcher of the Year and a first-team All-American. The left-hander allowed eight runs (five earned) on six hits and two walks over 3.1 innings.

Houston (5-3) was led at the plate by designated hitter Lael Lockhart, who collected two hits.

The Cats return to action on Saturday at 1 p.m. ET against Sam Houston State. The Bearkats came from behind to defeat Vanderbilt with two home runs in the ninth and another in the 10th on Friday at Minute Maid Park, the home of the World Series champion Houston Astros.