NASHVILLE – No. 5 Vanderbilt scored two runs in the bottom of the ninth inning, including a walk-off line drive to left field by Alan Espinal, to rally for a 3-2 victory over No. 15 Kentucky on Sunday at Hawkins Field, completing the three-game sweep.
The Wildcats fell to 30-13 overall and 11-10 in Southeastern Conference play.
UK led 2-1 going into the ninth but couldn’t close the door. A leadoff single past a diving Grant Smith and fake-bunt, slash play double put runners on second and third. A line drive off the hip of pitcher Ryan Hagenow scored the tying run and forced him out of the game before Espinal’s winner.
The Cats missed several late opportunities to give themselves some breathing room. The Cats had runners stranded at third base in both the seventh and ninth innings, as well as a runner thrown out at home. Vanderbilt left fielder Matthew Polk made a diving catch to end the ninth that robbed a pair of runs that would have given the Cats a three-run cushion.
No. 5 Vanderbilt Rallies in Ninth to Walk-Off No. 15 Kentucky – UK Athletics​
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The Wildcats fell to 30-13 overall and 11-10 in Southeastern Conference play.
UK led 2-1 going into the ninth but couldn’t close the door. A leadoff single past a diving Grant Smith and fake-bunt, slash play double put runners on second and third. A line drive off the hip of pitcher Ryan Hagenow scored the tying run and forced him out of the game before Espinal’s winner.
The Cats missed several late opportunities to give themselves some breathing room. The Cats had runners stranded at third base in both the seventh and ninth innings, as well as a runner thrown out at home. Vanderbilt left fielder Matthew Polk made a diving catch to end the ninth that robbed a pair of runs that would have given the Cats a three-run cushion.
No. 5 Vanderbilt Rallies in Ninth to Walk-Off No. 15 Kentucky – UK Athletics​
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