A day after opening the NCAA Tournament with a high-scoring win over Western Michigan, Kentucky baseball faced Illnois in the Lexington Regional. This one would feature more pitching success.
Ryan Nicholson opened up the scoring for the Cats with a two-run homerun in the second inning. Illinois recorded a run of their own in the fourth, but Ryan Waldschmidt doubled in a run in the fifth. Kentucky got out to a 4 – 1 lead in the seventh, then Waldschmidt sealed in the ninth with a two-run homer, and the Wildcats would win 6 – 1.
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Waldschmidt had a big day for Kentucky, having gone 3-for-5 with a homerun and three RBIs. Nicholson drove in two, while Grant Smith scored twice. On the mound, Trey Pooser was terrific for the Wildcats. He went seven innings and gave up just five hits and one run.
Kentucky will play again on Sunday, with their opponent yet to be determined. It will be played at 6:00 PM ET.