After losing a series to top-ranked Florida last weekend, UK baseball continued its recent success in midweek nonconference games by defeating Morehead State 7-1. 

The win boosts UK’s overall record to 27-14 and non-conference record to 19-4. UK has two non-conference opponents remaining on the schedule as the SEC Tournament is now less than a month away. 

UK’s bullpen helped the Cats get the win, pitching four innings and only giving up one hit and one earned run in the eighth inning. Reliever Carson Coleman pitched two of those innings for the Cats, and he was given the win for the third time this season. 

Daniel Harper was the starter for the Cats but was pulled off the mound after four innings. He gave up no runs but allowed five hits and threw 69 pitches in his four innings of work.

UK got three of its seven runs off home runs, one from Luke Heyer and a two-RBI homer from Ben Aklinski that gave the Cats its final runs in the eighth inning.

Heyer’s home run was his 14th of the season, tying him for the most on the team with Kole Cottam.

Aklinski’s home run was his fifth of the season, and his RBI count is up to 35 on the season, tying him for third most on the team with Cottam and behind Heyer and Troy Squires. 

Cottam reached base on all four of his plate appearances on Wednesday night with two hits and two singles. Cottam also delivered two runs and an RBI to the game to help the Cats get the win.

Up next for the Cats will be another challenging SEC series against Missouri. The Tigers have won four of their last five and are 28-13 on the season. 

First pitch at Cliff Hagan Stadium on Friday is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.