Cats stage comeback win in SEC opener over Georgia, 16-10

LEXINGTON, Ky. – No. 25 Georgia came into Lexington with its best start to a season in the modern era and an offense leading the nation in home runs but watched as Kentucky slammed three of its own in a 16-10 comeback victory on opening night in the Southeastern Conference.


Photo: UK Athletics

Kentucky (15-3, 1-0) saw Georgia (17-2, 0-1) jump out to a 4-0 advantage but for the second time this week went on the offensive and staged a furious comeback comprised of three five-run innings. UK bats clobbered four doubles, including three in a row during one of its rallies, and three home runs on the cool, drizzly night at Kentucky Proud Park in front on 2,040 boisterous fans.

The Wildcats had two players with three hits a piece among the five total with multiple hits. Designated hitter Nick Lopez stayed surface of the sun hot with three more hits, including a home run, and now is 8-of-10 at the plate in two games this week. Nolan McCarthy doubled and homered, Mitchell Daly homered and Ryan Waldschmidt counted two doubles as part of his three hits.

Friday starter Travis Smith had a rocky start in allowing four early runs but gutted out five innings and a career-high 108 pitches before giving way to the bullpen. Georgia’s prolific offense continued to threaten but the Cats held the Bulldogs out of the big inning and righty Johnny Hummel extinguished a seventh inning rally attempt with 2.0 terrific innings that included inducing the nation’s most dangerous hitter, Charlie Condon, into a fly out to end the seventh inning.