Extra Inning Win at Florida has Cats Closer to SEC Title

Vicky Graff Photo

After another dramatic extra inning victory, Kentucky still has sole possession of first place in the Southeastern Conference going into the final weekend of conference play.

Kentucky is 20-7 in league play — equalling its most wins ever in SEC play — after a 7-5, 10-inning victory at Florida Sunday.

Tennessee lost 3-0 to Vanderbilt Sunday and is 19-8 in league play while Arkansas beat Mississippi State Sunday after losing to the Bulldogs Saturday and is also 19-8.

This weekend Kentucky will host Vanderbilt, Tennessee will host South Carolina and Arkansas will visit Texas A&M. If UK sweeps Vanderbilt, the Cats are the SEC champion for only the second time. If UK wins two games, it can do no worse than tie for first.

If there is a two-way tie for the top spot, UK has the edge over Arkansas but Tennessee has the advantage over Kentucky in a tiebreaker.

Fourth-ranked Kentucky (37-11 overall) remains in great position not only to host an NCAA Tournament regional but also a super regional if it advances. The Cats are 12-5 against ranked teams this year and 19-6 against Quad 1 opponents. Kentucky has the most Quad 1 wins in the country.

Coach Nick MIngione’s team certainly had to battle for the victory Sunday. Freshman lefty Ben Cleaver threw three fastballs by a Florida batter with the tying runs in scoring position in the bottom of the 10th inning to seal Sunday’s win and give UK its second extra-inning victory in Gainesville.

Cleaver was the seventh UK pitcher after starter Mason Moore allowed just two runs on three hits in 6 2/3 innings. He struck out six and walked four.

Once again, Kentucky’s bullpen could not hold a lead in the ninth as a Florida solo home run tied the game 3-3. However, UK responded with four runs in the 10th thanks in large part to a bases loaded double by Patrick Herrera.

Florida scored twice in the bottom of the 10th and had runners on second and third when Mingione brought in Cleaver for the first time since March 19. However, he was 2-0 in his two previous appearances and nailed down the important save Sunday.

Junior second baseman Emilien Pitre extended his streak of games reaching base safely to 25 while junior  Patrick Herrera went 2-for-3 with a career-high four RBI, a double, a walk and a hit by pitch.

Kentucky will host Wright State Tuesday night at 6:30. It will be streamed on the SECN+ and radio coverage will be on the UK Sports Network.