/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/59571649/dgf.1525054934.jpg)
The Kentucky Wildcats had a huge weekend series against the Missouri Tigers as they are fighting for a trip to the SEC Tournament.
In Game 1 on Friday night, the Cats and Tigers were in a defensive battle the entire night.
The Tigers got on the scoreboard early taking a 1-0 lead on the Cats in the 1st but neither team was able to do anything for much of the game.
In the 5th, the Cats were able to take the lead on a big 2 RBI homerun by Luke Heyer scoring Troy Squires.
Both teams shut each other down the rest of the night and the Cats went on to get a big 2-1 win in the series opener. Winning pitcher was Sean Hjelle (6-3).
Game 2 was a much different looking game than what we saw in game one as a combined 25 runs were scored by the two teams.
Unfortunately, Kentucky played from behind the entire game, but they never stopped fighting.
Missouri took an early 3-0 lead, but the Cats were able to make it a 3-2 game in the 3rd after a Ryan Shinn homer and an RBI single by Troy Squires.
The Tigers added 3 runs in the 4th and 3 more in the 5th to make it a 9-2 ballgame going into the 6th.
In the 6th, the Cats strung together some hits and had some help from the Tiger defense as they went on a rally and scored 6 runs in the 6th to once again cut the Missouri lead to one, 9-8.
However, The Cats were never able to get the game tied and the Tigers added 5 runs in the 8th and the Cats added 3 in the inning but fell short, losing Game 2, 14-11.
The rubber match Sunday was a big one for Kentucky and it got off to a good start. After the Tigers took a 1-0 lead in the top of the 1st the Cats tie it with an RBI single by Kole Cottam and then took a 4-1 lead off a 3-run homer by Luke Heyer.
The Cats would add one run in the second and fourth to make it a 6-1 lead before the Tiger started their comeback.
Missouri scored two runs in the 5th and followed that up with two runs in the 6th to make it a one run game 6-5.
In the 7th, the Tigers tied up the game and then took the lead on a grand slam making it a 10-6 lead going to the 8th.
In the 8th, Ryan Shinn homered to left making it a 10-7 game. Then with the bases loaded and only 1 out Kole Cottam stepped in and returned the favor by hitting a huge grand slam to give the Cats an 11-10 lead.
The Cats were able to take care of business in the 9th and would go on to take the series with an 11-10 win over Missouri. Winning pitcher was Brett Marshall (1-0).
Next week is yet another very important series for the Cats as they travel to Knoxville for a three-game series with Tennessee. All three games can be seen on the SEC Network alternate channel.
Go Cats!