Photo by Keyli Chisesi (Go Big Blue Country)
Fresh off a weekend sweep of the Shriners Hospital Classic, the Kentucky Wildcats returned to Cliff Hagan Stadium to face the Eastern Kentucky Colonels. The Wildcat bats exploded for 16 runs, including three home runs in a 16-5 win.
Fifth-year senior Troy Squires went 4-4 with three doubles and 4 RBI to lead the Kentucky offense but the talk of the season has been senior infielder/outfielder Luke Heyer, who went 3-4 with 4 RBI, including a grand slam in the bottom of the 8th inning.
Junior Kole Cottam also had a big night going 2-3, including a solo home run in the bottom of the 5th. The Wildcats also got a big boost from TJ Collett, who extended his career-long hitting streak to 12 games. Collett’s two-run home run in the bottom of the 2nd was his eighth of the season.
Daniel Harper got the start and the win for the Wildcats. Harper tossed five innings, giving up four runs on six hits while striking out three. Jimmy Ramsey came on in relief of Harper but was only able to record one out before giving up the Colonels final run of the game. Zach Haake, Trip Lockhart, and Crosby Bringhurst shut out the Colonels over the final 3.2 innings.
The win improves Kentucky to 12-1 on the season, their best start since 2012. They return to action on Wednesday as they face Northern Kentucky at Cliff Hagan Stadium. First pitch is slated for 4 p.m. EST with coverage on the SEC Network+.
