UK baseball: Cats' postseason run over after 6-2 loss to Louisville
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The run is over. After reaching its first super regional in school history, UK was eliminated from the postseason by Louisville in a 6-2 loss. The Cardinals are in the College World Series for the fourth time in 11 years. UK finished Nick Mingione's first season with a 43-23 record.
Here are the main storylines.
-Wildcats missed numerous opportunities. Tristan Pompey delivered a two-out single off Brendan McKay to make it 4-2 in the 7th inning. Brendan McKay, who pitched 6.2 innings and struck out nine batters, was taken out for setup man Sam Bordner. Bordner got Evan White down 0-2, but White battled back and drew a walk to load the bases.
Bordner, after falling behind 0-2 to Zach Reks, struck out Reks to leave the bases loaded.
The Wildcats also missed a chance in the 6th inning. White and Reks had back-to-back one-out singles to bring the tying run to the plate. McKay responded by striking out Kole Cottam and Riley Mahan. The Wildcats finished the day 2-8 (.250) with runners in scoring position.
-Louisville answered both UK scores. Louisville was impressive in its ability to respond. After each UK score, the Cardinals answered in the top half of the next inning. After UK made it 4-2 in the 7th, Louisville scored two runs in particular excruciating fashion against UK in the 8th.. A two-out walk to the ninth hitter in the lineup, Tyler Fitzgerald, led to an RBI double by leadoff hitter Logan Taylor. Colby Fitch then hit a bloop single to right centerfield to make it 6-2. Salow walked Devin Mann, ending his UK career.
Freshman Chris Machamer retired McKay on a hard line drive to end the inning.
After UK scored a run in the bottom of the 5th inning, UL scored two runs in the top of the 6th. Ellis hit a solo home run to start the inning and the Cardinals added another run on a Josh Stowers triple. UK escaped a bases loaded jam on a 3-2 double play to keep the score 4-1.
-Drew Ellis crushed the Wildcats. Ellis homered twice on Saturday after hitting a three-run home run on Friday. He also hit a single to start the 9th inning. After struggling through the regional round last week, Ellis regained his groove this weekend and was a major reason why the Cardinals are off to Omaha.
-McKay and Hjelle both pitched well. McKay was the winning pitcher while Sean Hjelle was given the loss. UK’s potent offense had a tough time figuring out McKay for most of the day. The Wildcats didn’t have a runner reach scoring position until Mahan’s double in the 5th inning. He eventually scored, but McKay kept UK off balance most of the day.
He allowed five of his eight hits in the 6th and 7th innings, but finished with a line of 6.2 innings, 8 hits, no walks and nine strikeouts. He earned his 10th win of the season.
Hjelle didn’t last as long, but still pitched well enough to keep UK in the game. He allowed four earned runs in 5.1 innings, gave up seven hits, walked two and struck out three.