Dominic Niman provided the best outing of the season by a Kentucky starting pitcher and Emilien Pitre led an offensive barrage with four RBI as the Wildcats run-ruled Lipscomb 16-1 in seven innings on Saturday afternoon at Kentucky Proud Park to claim the weekend series.
Niman, a graduate transfer, was sharp from the opening batter. He fanned Jesus Pacheco on three pitches for his 200th collegiate strikeout and allowed only one run while striking out five across six innings. It was UK’s first quality start of the season, defined as a starting pitcher allowing three earned runs or fewer in at least 6.0 innings pitched. His only hiccup came in the fourth inning but it was short-lived as he shook off a cramping calf to quiet an experienced Lipscomb lineup.
Offensively, the Wildcats (9-1) gave Niman plenty of cushion while scoring in each of the first four innings before capping it with a seven spot in the sixth. Pitre was 3-of-4 with three runs and four RBI while smacking doubles to both the right-center and left-centerfield gaps. Nick Lopez added a career day with two hits in three at-bats with three runs, two RBI, two walks, a double and a stolen base.
Every UK starter had either a hit and/or RBI in the game.
UK will go the sweep of the Atlantic-Sun Conference preseason favorite on Sunday afternoon.
Kentucky hosts Lipscomb looking to sweep the series on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET. The game will be streamed on SECN+. Audio coverage will be provided by the UK Sports Network on UKathletics.com and 98.5 FM (Lexington).
Dom Day: Dominic Niman Shines in Kentucky’s Run-Rule Victory – UK Athletics
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Niman, a graduate transfer, was sharp from the opening batter. He fanned Jesus Pacheco on three pitches for his 200th collegiate strikeout and allowed only one run while striking out five across six innings. It was UK’s first quality start of the season, defined as a starting pitcher allowing three earned runs or fewer in at least 6.0 innings pitched. His only hiccup came in the fourth inning but it was short-lived as he shook off a cramping calf to quiet an experienced Lipscomb lineup.
Offensively, the Wildcats (9-1) gave Niman plenty of cushion while scoring in each of the first four innings before capping it with a seven spot in the sixth. Pitre was 3-of-4 with three runs and four RBI while smacking doubles to both the right-center and left-centerfield gaps. Nick Lopez added a career day with two hits in three at-bats with three runs, two RBI, two walks, a double and a stolen base.
Every UK starter had either a hit and/or RBI in the game.
UK will go the sweep of the Atlantic-Sun Conference preseason favorite on Sunday afternoon.
Kentucky hosts Lipscomb looking to sweep the series on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET. The game will be streamed on SECN+. Audio coverage will be provided by the UK Sports Network on UKathletics.com and 98.5 FM (Lexington).
Dom Day: Dominic Niman Shines in Kentucky’s Run-Rule Victory – UK Athletics
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