UK Tops Auburn 9-6 in Series Finale

After dropping two games and the series to the Auburn Tigers (20-24, 7-14), the Kentucky Wildcats (27-16, 11-10) rebounded with a 9-6 win in the series finale that was not as close as the final score indicates.

Kentucky’s bats were hot for the first time in what seems like ages. JaVon Shelby, Evan White, and Zack Reks all had huge days at the plate.

Shelby started the scoring in the top of the 2nd inning with a leadoff homer off of Auburn pitcher Ben Braymer.

Auburn evened the game in the bottom of the 4th at 1-1, but the Tigers momentum was short lived.

In the top of the 5th, a Luke Becker walk, and a Tristan Pompey single put two runners on the bags for the Wildcats and put them in prime position to take command of the game. Evan White strode to the plate and knocked in two runners with a single through the left field gap. Reks drove in another run before the rally ended with UK ahead, 4-1.

An even bigger 7th inning loomed for the Wildcats. A White RBI single, a Reks sacrifice fly and a three-run shot by Shelby put the game out of reach, 9-1.

Auburn managed to make things interesting by taking on two runs in the 8th and then a brief three-run rally in the bottom of the 9th that quickly fizzled.

Shelby was the series MVP for Kentucky, his 2-for-4, two homers and four RBI day is a big reason why.

Evan White finished the day 2-of-4, and his two singles yielded three RBI. Zack Reks also finished 2-of-4 at the plate with a pair of RBI singles.

Kyle Cody gave UK 7 innings of work on the hill. He fanned six batters, gave up two earned runs on seven hits and walked three batters to get the win.

Sean Hjelle had a tough time working through the final inning. He gave up three runs on five hits but settled down to record the winning out.

The Bat Cats return home on Tuesday to face the Eastern