Kentucky took care of business on Senior Day, downing No. 17 Oklahoma 8-5 on Saturday to win its fourth SEC series of the season. The ‘Cats improve to 27-20 (12-14) and creep ever so closer to clinching a third consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance.
If the season ended today, Kentucky would be a No. 12 seed in the SEC Tournament.
Just three different ‘Cats notched a hit, but four different players were responsible for an RBI. Freshman right fielder Ryan Schwartz enjoyed a career day at the plate, as he went 3-3 with a single, a double, a triple and four RBI. He was a home run short of the cycle.
Senior right-hander Nic McCay made his 13th start of the season on Saturday and allowed six hits and five earned runs with four strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings of work. Two of his five earned runs scored following his departure. His ERA rose to 4.06 on the season, which ranks 19th in the SEC.
12 different Wildcats were honored on Saturday’s Senior Day, including five members of the 2024 Men’s College World Series team. The list included catcher Devin Burkes, left-handed pitcher Evan Byers, third baseman Patrick Herrera, right-handed pitcher Robert Hogan, left-hander pitcher Jackson Nove, right-handed pitcher Simon Gregersen, left fielder Cole Hage, left-handed pitcher Cole Hentschel, right-handed pitcher Nic McCay, outfielder Shaun Montoya, catcher Raphael Pelletier and right-handed pitcher Scott Rouse.
Six total runs score in wild first inning
Following the Senior Day festivities, seventh-year senior Nic McCay took the mound for Kentucky to start his 13th game of the season. His Senior Day start however didn’t get off to the best start, as two Oklahoma runs quickly scored.
Runners were quickly put on first and second following a Jason Walk leadoff single and a walk, bringing up Oklahoma star catcher Easton Carmichael. Carmichael snuck an RBI-single through the left side just under the glove of Kentucky shortstop Tyler Bell, scoring their first run of the game. Their second run then scored on an RBI sac-fly from shortstop Jackson Willits, giving the Sooners two runs with just one out.
The ‘Cats then however received an early break, as it appeared Carmichael tagged up from third on an RBI sac-fly hit by second baseman Kyle Branch to give Oklahoma its third run of the inning. It was however ruled that Carmichael left early, keeping the Sooners to just two early runs.
Kentucky then responded to this early Oklahoma output with four runs of its own in the bottom half of the inning to take a 4-2 lead.
Luke Lawrence and Cole Hage drew back-to-back walks and James McCoy was hit by a pitch with just one out in the inning. Kyuss Gargett brought home Lawrence with an RBI sac-fly, and Patrick Herrera brought home Hage and McCoy with a triple to right field that Oklahoma right fielder Sam Christiansen misplayed badly. The frame was capped off by a Ryan Schwartz RBI-single to left field, giving the ‘Cats a two-run advantage.
E1 | UK 4, OU 2 @LukeL1019 and @Colehage_33 walked, @j_mccoy2021
HBP, @KyussG2 SAC fly. @PatrickcHerrera bloop bounces over RF head for 2-run triple. @RyanSchwartz25 RBI single. Wild 1st inning.
ESPN News pic.twitter.com/9BTPXWLrxb
— Kentucky Baseball (@UKBaseball) May 10, 2025
Ryan Schwartz delivers career day
Kentucky tacked on its fifth run of the game with a Cole Hage RBI sac-fly in the bottom of the second, and Oklahoma responded with a solo home run in the top of the fifth by DH Scott Mudler. The ‘Cats however extended its lead even further in the bottom of the fifth, fueled by freshman right fielder Ryan Schwartz.
Following a Hage line out to open the bottom of the fifth, James McCoy and Kyuss Gargett were plunked in back-to-back at-bats to bring the team season total to 133 (most in NCAA). This broke the single season record for most hit by pitches in a season. Patrick Herrera then drew a walk, bringing the red-hot Schwartz back to the plate.
Schwartz, who singled and tripled in his first two at-bats, delivered with a hard-hit double to the left field fence. The bases were cleared to bring in three more runs, extending Kentucky’s lead to five. With the three-run double, the freshman set a single game career-high with three hits and four RBIs.
Kentucky’s five run lead didn’t last long however, as a two-run double hit by Oklahoma’s Scott Mudler decreased the Wildcat lead back to three.
Cats clinch the sweep
Junior left-hander Ethan Walker entered in relief for Kentucky to open the seventh inning and picked up right where he left off in last Sunday’s appearance at Mississippi State.
Walker pitched scoreless innings in the seventh and eighth innings, holding the Sooners at bay. The left-hander then returned to the mound in the ninth and sat Oklahoma down in order, cementing the Senior Day victory.
In the first ever series between the two programs, the ‘Cats emerge victorious at Kentucky Proud Park.
What’s next for Kentucky?
Kentucky and Oklahoma will clash in the series finale on Sunday at 1:00 p.m. EST. With a win, the ‘Cats would clinch their first conference sweep of the season.
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