Advertisement

Kentucky baseball stays alive in NCAA Tournament regional with blowout of WVU

UK Athletics

Kentucky baseball’s NCAA Tournament hopes remain alive after the Wildcats avoided elimination from the Lexington Regional with a 10-0 win over West Virginia on Sunday afternoon.

Needing three wins in two days to advance to a super regional, the West Virginia game played out as well as could have been hoped for Kentucky with a dominant starting pitching performance and enough offense to save the team’s best available relievers for a night game against Indiana.

Here is what you need to know about the game.

Turning point

Kentucky was in control throughout the afternoon, but the big blow came in the fourth inning with a two-run home run from right fielder Nolan McCarthy. The home run came one inning after West Virginia appeared to gain some momentum when a replay review took a Kentucky run off the scoreboard by ruling catcher Devin Burkes had been thrown out at home while trying to score from first on a double.

McCarthy’s home run gave Kentucky a 5-0 lead, putting West Virginia in desperation mode after already using three pitchers through the first three innings.

On the mound

Making just his second start of the season, junior right-handed pitcher Austin Strickland posted the type of performance needed to keep a season on the brink alive.

Strickland, who also shined in his last appearance with a quality start against No. 2 Florida, surrendered just four hits in six scoreless innings. He struck out six batters and walked one on a season-high 100 pitches.

With the Wildcats leading 6-0 when Strickland was pulled from the game, head coach Nick Mingione was able to navigate the final three innings without using top relievers Darren Williams and Mason Moore. Left-handed pitcher Magdiel Cotto, who entered the game with a 6.19 ERA, contributed two scoreless innings of relief. Normal outfielder James McCoy made his second appearance on the mound of the season with a scoreless ninth to close out the victory.

At the plate

McCarthy, who had not started a game since April 30 before starting the second game of the regional against Indiana on Saturday, led the way by going 2-for-4 with one home run, one double, three RBI and one run scored.

Burkes reached base four times via two hit-by-pitches, one walk and an bases-clearing double in the eighth inning that bounced under the third baseman’s glove. Burkes has reached base nine times in the regional. Third baseman Jase Felker, second baseman Emilien Pitre, first baseman Hunter Gilliam and designated hitter Reuben Church also drove in runs for Kentucky. West Virginia hit six Kentucky batters in the game.

What’s next

Kentucky returns to action at 6 p.m. against Indiana. The Wildcats must win Sunday’s nightcap to force a winner-take-all game against the Hoosiers Monday for the regional title. If Indiana wins Sunday, the Hooisers advance to a super regional and eliminate Kentucky.

NCAA TOURNAMENT LEXINGTON REGIONAL

When: Friday through Monday

Where: Kentucky Proud Park

Tickets: UKBaseballTix.com

Teams: Kentucky, Ball State, Indiana, West Virginia.

Format: Double-elimination

At stake: Winner advances to NCAA Tournament’s 16-team super-regional round next week.

LEXINGTON REGIONAL SCHEDULE

Friday

Game 1: Kentucky 4, Ball State 0

Game 2: Indiana 12, West Virginia 6

Saturday

Game 3: West Virginia 13, Ball State 5

Game 4: Indiana 5, Kentucky 3

Sunday

Game 5: Kentucky 10, West Virginia 0

Game 6: Kentucky vs. Indiana, 6 p.m. (TV TBA)

Monday (if necessary)

Game 7: Same teams as in Game 6, time TBA (TV TBA)

With Kentucky baseball’s season on the brink, Nick Mingione looks for repeat of 2017 magic

Former Rowan County star Mason Moore shines under pressure in Kentucky’s NCAA opener

A 25-year-old pitcher in his 7th college season is key for Kentucky’s NCAA baseball hopes

How to watch Kentucky baseball’s Lexington Regional NCAA Tournament games

Kentucky baseball’s Nick Mingione has gone from the hot seat to NCAA Tournament success