Strickland, hot bats lead UK past No. 3 South Carolina

Austin Strickland supplied a sensational outing on the mound out of the bullpen and No. 21 Kentucky claimed its first collection victory over a high 5 opponent in precisely one yr, doubling up No. 3 South Carolina 14-7 on Saturday at Kentucky Proud Park.

The Wildcats (32-13, 13-10 Southeastern Convention) scored in each inning however the first and noticed each starter log successful whereas punishing the Gamecocks for the second straight recreation, closing out one other Derby weekend collection win. On the identical weekend final season, UK throttled top-ranked Tennessee on the identical area.

Ryan Waldschmidt and Emilien Pitre every had three hits and Jase Felker (bases loaded triple) and James McCoy (three-run dwelling run) delivered clutch two-out hits to guide a 16-hit assault.

Strickland produced profession highs in innings (5.0) and pitches (72) whereas placing out six and holding the slugging Gamecocks from offering many anxious moments.

The Cats will go for the sweep on Sunday.

NOTES

• UK Coach Nick Mingione is in his seventh season on the helm and now owns a 208-142 profession file. UK is 36-36 within the month of Might beneath Coach Mingione. Mingione now could be 9-10 vs. South Carolina.
• UK is 8-7 this season vs. ranked opponents. UK is 3-5 versus Prime 5 opponents.
• UK has scored in 343 of 350 video games in Mingione’s tenure.
• UK has 13 triples this season, its most since 2008.
• UK earned its first collection win over a Prime 5 opponent since defeating No. 1 Tennessee two video games to at least one at Kentucky Proud Park precisely one yr in the past.
• UK has efficiently superior the runner 6-of-7 occasions it has punt a bunt in play (4 SACs, two singles) within the collection and likewise executed a profitable bait-and-slash in Recreation 1.
• UK received its fourth SEC collection.
• Outfielder Jackson Grey went 2-for-4 with two runs, to doubles, two walks and an RBI. He has reached base safely in 33 of 47 plate appearances.
• Outfielder James McCoy went 2-for-4 with a three-run dwelling run and stolen base. He had his fourth profession multi-hit recreation. He had his fifth profession multi-RBI recreation.
• Infielder Jase Felker went 1-for-4 with a three-run triple and SAC. He broke a 5-5 tie along with his game-winning bases loaded triple.
• Outfielder Ryan Waldschmidt went 3-for-4 with three runs, a double, a steal and HBP.
• Pitcher Austin Strickland earned the victory in reduction. He pitched a career-high 5.0 innings and threw a career-high 72 pitches. He struck out six and yielded solely a pair of dwelling runs to Gavin Casas.

ON DECK

Kentucky will go for a collection sweep over South Carolina at 2 p.m. ET on Sunday. The radio name will probably be on the UK Sports activities Community (630 AM WLAP, domestically) and will probably be aired on the SEC Community.