CatsIllustrated – Bat Cats take series opener from No. 3 South Carolina

LEXINGTON, Ky. — South Carolina got here to Kentucky Proud Park boasting a 98-28 benefit over the Wildcats in residence runs this season.

Holding the power-laden Gamecocks within the park was an enormous key to UK’s success on Friday because the Cats allowed just one lengthy ball and hit two of their very own in a 7-3 win to open the three-game sequence.

Kentucky’s Travis Smith (4-1) made his SEC pitching debut a memorable one, holding No. 3 South Carolina (36-9, 14-7 SEC) to only one run on 4 hits and three walks over six innings on the mound. The freshman right-hander, who has been the Cats’ mid-week starter this season so far, additionally struck out 5.

“So pleased for him,” UK head coach Nick Mingione stated of Smith, a former Walton-Verona standout. “I do know you sensed it, however our guys love that man, they usually rally behind him. After the sport, they have been so excited for him.

“I might inform you that no person’s stunned that he threw that properly. We would have liked it.”

Kentucky (31-13, 12-10 SEC) received a sequence opener in league play for the primary time since April 7 at Georgia. The Cats try to regain the momentum that they had earlier this season after successful their first three SEC sequence earlier than dropping 4 straight.

UK acquired a two-run homer from Hunter Gilliam and an inside-the-park residence run from James McCoy to spotlight a 10-hit evening on the plate. The Cats jumped out to a 1-0 lead within the first inning and by no means relinquished it.

McCoy, a freshman outfielder, was getting a uncommon beginning alternative and made essentially the most of it. He went 2-for-4 with the house run and in addition made a diving catch in proper area late within the sport to remove successful from the Gamecocks.

“I simply tried to go in and assist the group,” McCoy stated. “… However we had guys all through the lineup doing issues proper tonight.”

Mason Moore labored the ultimate 2.2 innings out of the UK bullpen, permitting no runs on one hit and one stroll. He struck out three in selecting up his fourth save of the season.

Will Sanders (4-3) began and took the loss for South Carolina. The junior right-hander allowed 4 runs on six hits and three walks earlier than exiting after 5 innings.

Gavin Casas hit a solo residence run, his seventeenth of the season, to spotlight the Gamecocks’ evening on the plate.

The sequence resumes on Saturday at KPP with a 2 p.m. first pitch.

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