No. 24 Kentucky baseball (23-7, 6-5 SEC) picked up a 9-2 victory over the Missouri Tigers (18-14, 2-9 SEC) in game two of the series to bounce back from a disappointing game one loss.

The Wildcats dropped game one of the series 5-4 after struggling to plate runs and lacking execution on defense. Those issues were remedied promptly in game two.

“There was no question that that was a point of emphasis, to just try to get out to a good start,” Kentucky head coach Nick Mingione said.

The Wildcats offense came alive immediately with eight runs in the first three innings, the pitching staff limited Missouri and allowed this early lead to stand.

The Wildcats avalanche of runs began in the bottom of the first inning. Luke Lawrence was the first Kentucky batter to reach base after a bunt-single. Tyler Bell came up next and delivered a 425-foot two-RBI home run, putting Kentucky ahead 2-0.

“I thought that the TJ (Tyler Bell) home run obviously sent a statement,” Mingione said. “We just had opportunity after opportunity, you know, and we cashed in.”

The Cats tacked on another run in the second inning after an error by the pitcher. Two walks left Kentucky with runners on first and second with two outs. Missouri made an attempt to pick off Jayce Tharnish at second base, the ball scooted past the second baseman into center field, Tharnish came around to score on the error.

A bulk of Kentucky’s runs came across with two outs in the third inning. Bell led off the inning with a walk, before stealing second. Tagger Tyson drove in Bell with a two-out single up the middle.

Ethan Hindle was hit by a pitch, then Will Marcy walked to load the bases. Scott Campbell Jr. stepped up and blasted a ball over the left-field bullpen for a two-out grand slam.

“He threw the same slider… I took it first pitch, and then he threw it again,” Campbell Jr. said. “Just looking to put the ball in play hard with bases loaded.”

This swing alone accounted for as many runs as Kentucky scored in its game-one loss the day before.

“He (Campbell Jr.) has just been unbelievable, like continue to work, continue to watch video, continue to try to get better,” Mingione said. “For him to have that moment was super special, because he definitely deserved it.”

After three innings, Kentucky had eight runs while Missouri had just one batter reach base.

Nate Harris started on the bump for Kentucky and allowed just one hit in the first four innings.

The Tigers finally got to Harris in the fifth inning, leading off the inning with three consecutive singles. The third single plated Missouri’s first run of the game.

Harris settled in and forced two ground balls, resulting in back-to-back fielder’s choices, with the second bringing across another run.

Missouri led off the sixth inning with a double and a walk, this marked the end of Harris’s day. Harris’ final line was five innings pitched, five hits, two earned runs and three strikeouts.

“What an outing by Nate, man he was fantastic,” Mingione said.

Ryan Mullan replaced Harris on the mound, inheriting runners on the corners with no outs. Mullan punched out the first batter he faced, then escaped the inning after Campbell Jr. threw out a runner attempting to tag up from third.

Not only was Campbell Jr. responsible for four Kentucky runs after his third-inning grand slam, but he also prevented a Missouri run with his inning-ending outfield assist.

When asked which of the two moments he was more proud of, Campbell Jr. had a pretty clear answer.

“Throwing him out. I mean, I work on that. Take a lot of pride in that,” Campbell Jr. said.

The Wildcats took an all hands on deck approach to close out the game. Mullan was the first of four bullpen arms that tossed a shutout inning.

Ira Austin IV was next in line, replacing Mullan for the seventh inning. Austin IV surrendered a one-out double, but retired the next two batters to escape with a scoreless inning.

Leighton Harris took over for Austin IV in the top of the eighth. He allowed a one-out single before forcing a double play from the next batter, resulting in another scoreless inning from the bullpen.

Marcy reached on an error to lead off the eighth inning, he scored after singles from Tharnish and Lawrence. This insurance run gave the Wildcats a 9-2 lead entering the final frame.

Tristan Hunter was tasked with shutting the door on the Tigers in the ninth. Hunter forced a flyout before punching out the next two batters to end the game.

In total, the bullpen combined for four scoreless innings. Across these four innings Missouri recorded just two hits and struck out three times.