No. 21 Kentucky baseball (11-2) took home-and-home two-game series 10-0 and 8-4 over the Eastern Kentucky Colonels (3-10).
Both teams got their week rolling in Richmond, Ky., home of the Eastern Kentucky Colonels, as Kentucky was nothing short of dominant.
In the seven-inning, 10-0 mercy-rule finish, the Wildcats scored in six of seven innings, playing the long-ball game in two of those innings.
Scott Campbell Jr. hit his first home run of the year in grand fashion, breaking the game wide open and making it 5-0.
Ethan Hindle got his week started off well with two strong batting performances in both Tuesday’s and Wednesday’s games.
It began with a solo shot that followed Campbell’s grand slam one inning later, making it 6-0.
Hindle tacked on another RBI just an inning later, continuing his season tear not just in the game, but leading Kentucky with multiple categories.
Through 13 games, he’s leading his team in total RBIs with 15 and extra-base hits with 11.
Alongside Hindle’s strong first game, he carried it into the second game, where he delivered some insurance runs for the Wildcats en route to their 8-4 victory.
However, before Hindle’s eighth-inning double, they trailed early, but Luke Lawrence showed his speed, sprinting around the bases after stealing two bases the day before.
After a fake bunt, he swung away and sent a bloop that got by the left fielder and chugged around the bases, tallying an inside-the-park home run, for his second home run of the year.
The Wildcats continued with their small-ball performance, getting runners in via sacrifice fly and RBI groundouts, successfully feeding off their discipline at the plate.
As a team, the Wildcats drew more walks than they struck out, were hit by 10 pitches in the two games and stole 10 bases, showing discipline in the batter’s box and the basepaths.
Then on the other side of the ball, the pitching continued its strong performance, especially the Kentucky bullpen.
In 10 1/3 innings pitched by the bullpen during these two games, they allowed only five hits and two earned runs.
Tommy Skelding picked up the win for the Wildcats in Tuesday’s game after freshman Will Coleman’s pitch count rose quickly in his first collegiate start.
Skelding went four innings in relief, throwing just 42 pitches, facing 14 batters and retiring 12.
He retired six straight batters before he walked one, but it took seven quick pitches to finally retire the side.
Skelding inevitably received the win in the first game after Ryan Mullan came in the seventh, finishing the job for the Wildcats in their first run-rule of the season.
After a shaky first few innings for Chase Alderman, as he still looks to find his groove, the bullpen for the Wildcats showed more of their depth.
Every relief pitcher was given at least an inning of relief, where they combined for just three hits and nine strikeouts.
Nile Adcock received the win at the end of the game, but there was a little scare as Ira Austin was given just enough run support to keep all Kentucky fans from being too worried.
Kentucky will prepare for one more weekend tune-up before it hits SEC play in just over a week.
The Wildcats will face The Citadel (5-5) on Friday, March 6, at 4 p.m. ET at Kentucky Proud Park as they continue with their homestand.































































































































































