Cats continue to roll in Lexington Regional, 6-1 over Illinois

LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) — A rainy day at Kentucky Proud Park Saturday, but it didn't phase the Cats or the crowd by any means as UK rolled past Illinois 6-1. Kentucky now just one game away from hosting Super Regionals.

UK got the bats going first in the top of the second, Ryan Nicholson hit a two-run bomb out to left center as the Cats took the 2-0 lead. That was Nicholson's 19th home run which ties the most home runs hit in a season by a Kentucky player in the Nick Mingione era since Kole Cottam in 2018.

Brody Harding got Illinois on the board with an RBI single in the bottom of the fourth, but Kentucky quickly responded in the top of the fifth. Ryan Waldschmidt doubled down the left field line, sending in James McCoy to make it 3-1 Cats on top.

UK found some momentum again in the top of the seventh. Emilien Pitre grounded out to second for the RBI single, bringing in Smith to make it 4-1.

Meanwhile Waldschmidt did what he does best, shined at the plate. A two-run homer in the top of ninth to bring Kentucky Proud Park to an uproar, rain and all, as the Cats took the 6-1 lead.

After four pitching changes Friday, an unbelievable showing from Trey Pooser on the mound. Pitched seven innings with five hits, two walks, one run and seven strikeouts. Ryan Hagenow closed it out for the Cats, putting the pitching staff in a strong position moving forward.

Kentucky will play the winner of Indiana State and Illinois Sunday night at 6. If they lose, the Cats will play again Monday.