FB Recruiting RECAP: Cats Take Top 10 Series Over Auburn

[Jeff Drummond]

RECAP: Cats split doubleheader with Auburn, win series between Top 10 clubs

Kentucky's Ben Aklinski connected with a pitch in Sunday's doubleheader at Cliff Hagan Stadium.
Jeff Drummond/Cats Illustrated

Jeff Drummond • CatsIllustrated.com
@JDrumUK

LEXINGTON, Ky. -- Kentucky shook off a disappointing loss in the first game of a Sunday doubleheader against Auburn to crush the Tigers in the second game and claim the weekend series between Top 10 SEC clubs.

The No. 6 Wildcats blew a 1-0 lead in the final inning of the opener before losing 4-3, but they bounced back for a 13-3 win in the finale at Cliff Hagan Stadium.

Kentucky (17-7, 2-4 SEC) got home runs from Tristan Pompey and Kole Cottam to highlight a 15-hit attack in the win. Pompey, a junior outfielder, had four hits and drove in five runs for the Cats.

Senior third baseman Luke Heyer added three hits and drove in a pair of runs for UK, which scored in every inning of the blowout, including a five-run third.

The massive run support made it easy for UK starter Justin Lewis (4-2), who overcame five walks to allow only one earned run on one hit over five innings on the mound.

It may have been a sweep for the Cats if not for an uncharacteristic outing for reliable closer Chris Machamer (1-1) in the first game. The sophomore right-hander gave up four runs on six hits in the Tigers' final trip to the plate to blow a 1-0 lead and the save opportunity.

Ben Aklinski hit a two-run homer in the bottom of the seventh to pull the Cats within 4-3, but Auburn closer Calvin Coker nailed down his fourth save of the season to win it for Welby Malczewski (3-0).

The Tigers had only two hits entering the inning but collected four straight, including a a game-tying double by Luke Jarvis and the go-ahead RBI on single by Steven Williams.

Kentucky returns to action on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. ET against Miami (Ohio) at Cliff Hagan Stadium.

 

[Tskware]

Lucky we didn't lose two out of three, but Auburn was just as lucky they did not get swept.

 

[Jeff Drummond]

Lucky we didn't lose two out of three, but Auburn was just as lucky they did not get swept.

Weird series like that, especially with the weather in between.

 

[Jeff Drummond]

Some photos from today...

https://www.facebook.com/pg/kentuckyrivals/photos/?tab=album&album_id=2164366366925648

 

[Jeff Drummond]

NOTES

·The Cats are now 5-5 vs. ranked teams this season, including 4-5 vs. Top 10 teams.


·The offense has …

oHit a home run in 23 of 24 games this season.

oRacked up 109 extra-base hits


·Several Cats extended impressive reached base safely streaks…

oJunior OF Tristan Pompey has reached in 54 of the last 56 games.

oSenior INF Luke Becker has reached in all 24 games.

oSenior C/1B Troy Squires has reached in 23 of 24 games this season.

oJunior OF Ben Aklinski has reached in 18 of the last 19 games.

oSophomore DH T.J. Collett has reached in 21 of the past 23 games.


·In game two of the doubleheader, all nine starters reached base safely.

oSeven starters recorded hits.


·Junior OF Tristan Pompey went 4-for-5 with a run, five RBI, double and home run in Game 2.

oThe home run was his third of the season and 20th career blast.

oHe is the first UK player to lead off the game for the Cats with a home run since he did so at Missouri last season.

oHe now has nine doubles in 2018 and 35 for his career.

oThe five RBI are a new career-high, surpassing his previous best of four.

oThe four hits match his career-high.

oPompey now has six multi-hit games this season and 40 in his career.

oHe has three multi-RBI games this season and 23 for his career.


·Junior C/1B Kole Cottam went 2-for-3 with four runs scored, two RBI and a home run in Game 2.

oThe home run is his 10th, which is a season career-high for him.

oThe four runs scored are a new career-high.

oCottam nine multi-hit games this season and 35 for his career.

oCottam has nine multi-RBI games this season and 24 for his career.


·Senior IF/OF Luke Heyer went 3-for-4 with two runs, two RBI and a double in Game 2.

oHeyer now has 11 multi-hit games this season and 15 in his career.

oHe has nine multi-RBI games this season and 12 for his career.

oHe has 18 extra-base hits in 23 games.


·Junior OF Ben Aklinski homered in Game 1, giving him home runs in three of the past four games at that time.


·Junior RHP Justin Lewis earned the win in Game 2, the 12th of his career.

oLewis allowed just one hit in 5.0 innings.


·Junior RHP Zach Haake started Game 1, the first start of his UK career.

oHaake got a no-decision, pitching 3.2 innings while allowing one hit, walking four and striking out two.

 

[Old_Red]

The on-base average for Game 2 Sunday, was unreal. Only Aklinski (0.200) and Squires (0.400) were below 0.500 in on base average. The team batted 0.500 in Game 2 and held Auburn to 0.136.

 

[Tskware]

The on-base average for Game 2 Sunday, was unreal. Only Aklinski (0.200) and Squires (0.400) were below 0.500 in on base average. The team batted 0.500 in Game 2 and held Auburn to 0.136.

Conversely, there was not a single walk issued in the game Friday night - when is the last time you saw a college baseball game where that happened?