The Kentucky Wildcats traveled to Bowling Green to take on the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers
on Tuesday, ultimately falling.
The starting lineup for the evening was Tyler Bell, Kyuss Gargett, Carson Hansen, Cole Hage,
Ryan Schwartz, Hudson Brown, Luke Lawrence and James McCoy. Ethan Walker will be first on
the mound for the Cats.
The Cats took an early lead at the top of the first. Bell singled to right, and Gargett followed with
a bunt that allowed Bell to advance to second. On a wild pitch Bell advanced to third, and
Hansen laid down another bunt to bring him home.
The next two innings were scoreless, but the Cats extended their lead in the top of the fourth.
Hage hit a double, and Schwartz followed with a single to bring him home. The momentum
continued in the fifth when McCoy crushed his first home run of the season, pushing the Cats
further in the lead, 3-0.
The Hilltoppers finally answered in the bottom of the fifth. Austin Haller singled, and Reid
Howard followed with a double to bring him home. Joe Siervo and Carlos Vasquez each
reached base which loaded up the bases. Ryan Wideman hit a single that scored both Howard
and Siervo to tie the game, 3-3.
Ethan Walker’s day ended and Evan Byers came to take over on the mound. Kyle Hayes drew a
walk to reload the bases, and Ethan Lizama followed up with a single that scored Vasquez,
pushing the Hilltoppers ahead, 4-3.
To start the bottom of the sixth, Scott Rouse came in to relieve Byers on the bump. Drew
Barragan led off with a double but was showing signs of discomfort, Caleb Marmo came in as a
pinch runner. Marmo advanced to third on a groundout by Haller, then scored after a hit from
Howard. The Hiltoppers kept the momentum going. Siervo reached base and Vasquez followed
with a double bringing him home. Tristan Hunter then made his way across the field to relieve
Rouse, shortly after, Hayden Smith was making his way to relieve Hunter. The game then
entered a lightning delay.
Coming out of the delay Leighton Harris took the mound for Kentucky, but it was a quick inning.
At the bottom of the eighth, Tommy Skelding came to relieve Harris. At the top of the ninth,
Brown hit a double out to center, but got out running for second when Lawrence reached first.
Burkes stepped in as a pinch hit for Rapheal Pelleteir and was walked, moving Lawrence to
second. Bell singled, bringing home Lawrence and advancing Burkes.
There were no more runs scored after that, making it a ballgame. The Cats will return to action
this Friday in Starkville to play the Mississippi State Bulldogs in a weekend series. The Friday
game is set to start at 7 p.m.
Written by: Ainsley Saurers
