Friday Night Grit: Kentucky Rallies to Edge No. 14 Oklahoma in Hard-Fought Battle
Facing one of its toughest challenges of the season and needing a spark down the stretch, Kentucky baseball showed resilience and firepower in a thrilling 4-3 win over No. 14 Oklahoma under the lights at Kentucky Proud Park. With their postseason hopes hanging in the balance and coming off a difficult stretch of SEC play, the Wildcats delivered a statement win that could serve as a turning point in the season.
Behind strong relief pitching, timely hitting, and a relentless competitive spirit, Kentucky (26-20, 11-14 SEC) handed the Sooners a rare loss — and did so against one of the nation’s most dominant starting pitchers, Kyson Witherspoon. The victory was the first-ever meeting between the two programs and added another signature win to Kentucky’s NCAA Tournament résumé, now boasting nine Quad 1 victories and a strong 8-10 record against ranked opponents.
A Third-Inning Explosion Turns the Tide
Things didn’t start in Kentucky’s favor. Oklahoma struck first with a two-run homer in the third inning to go up 2-0, but the Wildcats responded with one of their most electric innings of the season. The first four batters in the bottom of the third hit for the team cycle — an extremely rare feat at any level of baseball.
Tyler Bell ignited the rally with a booming triple off the top of the fence, just inches from clearing it. Luke Lawrence promptly doubled him home to put Kentucky on the board. Then came the big blow — a towering two-run home run by Cole Hage to right-centerfield, his 11th of the season, swinging the momentum entirely in UK’s favor. Carson Hansen followed with a single before James McCoy capped the four-run outburst with an opposite-field RBI single.
Suddenly, Kentucky had seized a 4-2 lead, and the atmosphere at Kentucky Proud Park surged with energy.
Pitching Steps Up in Pressure Moments
Freshman right-hander Nate Harris started the game and battled through 4.2 innings, allowing three runs (two earned) while giving his team a chance. But it was left-hander Jackson Nove who truly stole the show on the mound. Entering in a tense situation with a runner on base, Nove allowed that inherited run to score but quickly settled in, shutting down the Sooners across 3.1 clutch innings. He struck out five and kept Oklahoma from regaining the lead, earning the win in relief.
In the ninth, closer Simon Gregersen was called on to secure the final three outs. He made things interesting by walking two batters and putting the tying run in scoring position, but the righty bore down. With two runners on and only one out, Gregersen struck out Oklahoma’s Carmichael and then fanned the cleanup hitter to slam the door, earning his second save of the season in dramatic fashion.
A Team-Wide Effort
While the pitching staff held its own, the offense did its part with contributions up and down the lineup:
• Tyler Bell extended his career-long hitting streak to 11 games and has now reached base safely in 45 of 46 career contests. His third-inning triple set the tone for Kentucky’s offensive push.
• Luke Lawrence went 2-for-4 with an RBI double and a run scored, showing poise in a crucial moment.
• James McCoy continued his productive stretch, going 2-for-3 with an RBI and a stolen base.
• Cole Hage provided the power with his two-run homer, continuing to be a major run producer for the Wildcats.
The Cats also continued to showcase their ability to grind out at-bats, get on base, and manufacture runs. Kentucky has now been hit by pitch 129 times this season, ranking among the nation’s leaders, and are just three shy of tying the school’s single-season record (132 set in 2023).
Momentum Heading Into Senior Day
The victory not only gave Kentucky a crucial win over a top-15 opponent but also set the stage for an emotional and potentially pivotal Senior Day matchup. The Cats and Sooners will meet again Saturday at 12:30 p.m. ET, with pregame Senior Day ceremonies scheduled for 11:50 a.m.
For head coach Nick Mingione, now in his ninth season in Lexington, the win was a testament to the team’s toughness and ability to rise in big moments. With a 288-186 career record, Mingione continues to climb in the school’s record books as the second-winningest coach in program history.
Looking Ahead
At 26-20 overall and with postseason hopes still in play, this kind of win might be the spark the Wildcats needed as they push toward the SEC Tournament and beyond. With clutch pitching, an offense that can strike in bursts, and players rising in the season’s biggest moments, Kentucky proved Friday night that they still have plenty of fight left — and they’re not done yet.
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