Kentucky Baseball: Cats struggle in Tuscaloosa with key 4-game homestand on deck

Kentucky baseball looked to build off their big showing last week, but unfortunately, the Cats struggled over the weekend in Tuscaloosa, losing the series 2-1 to the Tide.

The Cats got the week started on a high note when they played Miami (OH) at home in the midweek game.

Kentucky struck first in the 3^rd off a RBI double by Tristan Pompey and a 2 RBI double by Luke Becker to give the Cats an early 3-0 lead. They added one run in the 4^th and 5^th to continue to build the lead.

In the 6^th, Kentucky tacked on 5 more runs, but none of them were off hits. Every run was due to a wild pitch by Miami and smart baserunning by the Cats gave them a 10-0 lead.

However, the game was far from over as in the 7^th Miami rallied to score 7 runs and make it a ballgame going to the 8^th. Fortunately, the Cats added another 3 runs in the 8^th and would take the game 13-7. Winning pitcher was Daniel Harper (2-1).

Friday was the first game of the weekend series against Alabama. Trey Dawson gave the Cats a 1-0 lead in the 2^nd with an RBI single, but Bama would come back in the bottom of the inning to take a 2-1 lead.

The Tide scored again in the 3^rd and in the 6^th Kole Cottam hit a homer run for the Cats to make it a 1-run game, 3-2. However, Bama scored in the 7^th and went on to beat the Cats 4-2.

Saturday, the Cats looked to take game 2 of the series. It was a defensive battle for the first 6 innings ,and in the 7^th Cottam singled to give the Cats a 1-0 lead. In the 8^th Bama answered with a grand slam to take a 4-1 lead on Kentucky.

The Cats tried to make the comeback in the 9^th, but only plated one and came up just short again losing game two, 4-2.

The Cats looked to avoid the sweep on Sunday and were successful. Alabama scored 2 runs in the 1^st but that was all the offense they would have.

Kentucky got on the board in the 2^nd off a homer by Cottam and tied it up in the 6^th on a double by Ryan Shinn.

In the 7^th, the Cats took the lead on a homer by Pompey and extended it on a RBI single from Luke Heyer. Kentucky added one more in the 9^th and would avoid the sweep with a 5-2 win. Winning pitcher was Justin Lewis (5-2).

The Cats move to 19-9 on the season and this week face rival Louisville on Tuesday at home before the weekend series against South Carolina which is also in Lexington.

Go out to the park and support the baseball Cats.