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Kentucky tops Tennessee 8-2 to hand UT 2nd home series loss of 2025
By Andrew Olson
Published:
Kentucky just picked up its biggest series win of the season. The Wildcats went into Knoxville and took 2-of-3 from a top-5 Tennessee squad.
The Volunteers won Friday’s series opener 8-2. Kentucky evened the series, winning 4-1 Saturday. Sunday’s rubber game was all UK, as the Wildcats won 8-2 to take the series.
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For Kentucky, it’s the first series win in Knoxville since 2016. For Tennessee, it’s the first time the Vols have dropped 2 series at home since 2021, and the first time dropping consecutive home series since 2017.
The Bat Cats put up 8 runs on 11 hits with 4 doubles. UK did not leave the yard on Sunday at Lindsey Nelson Stadium. UK’s RBI leader was Dylan Koontz, who knocked in 2 despite going 0-for-4 on the day.
One of Koontz’s RBIs came in the 8th inning, when Kentucky widened its lead to 6-2 with a 3-run frame.
M8 | UK 6, TENN 2
— Kentucky Baseball (@UKBaseball) April 20, 2025
Cats post a three-spot in the 8th.
Kentucky is known as the Bat Cats, but pitching powered UK to the series win. Ben Cleaver went 7 innings on Sunday, allowing 2 earned runs on 5 hits and 1 walk, striking out 7 over a 100-pitch outing. On Saturday, Nic McCay allowed an unearned run over 7.2 IP, striking out 12 while giving up 2 hits and 3 walks.
With the series victory, Kentucky improves to 22-15 overall and 8-10 in SEC play. Tennessee falls to 33-7 with a 12-6 mark in conference contests.
Tennessee will bounce back on the road at LSU. Kentucky will look to keep the momentum going against South Carolina in Lexington after a midweek meeting with Louisville.
Andrew writes about sports to fund his love of live music and collection of concert posters. He strongly endorses the Hall of Fame campaigns of Fred Taylor and Andruw Jones.
