Kentucky Baseball Survives USC Upstate in Clemson Regional

CLEMSON, S.C. — Kentucky baseball kept their postseason hopes alive with a 7-3 win over USC Upstate Saturday afternoon in the Clemson Regional.

The win came without freshman standout Tyler Bell, who was sidelined after injury on Friday when he fouled a ball off his leg in a game against West Virginia.

Carson Hansen sparked the bats early, hitting a three-run home run in the bottom of the first inning. Kentucky quickly took a 3-0 lead, but USC Upstate responded by tying the game 3-3 with three runs in the fourth inning.

The Wildcats reclaimed the lead thanks to Patrick Herrera’s perfectly placed bunt, bringing in a run with runners on the corners.

Starting pitcher Nic McCay worked four innings, allowing three hits, three runs, and three walks, striking out five batters. Ethan Walker took over in the fifth inning and pitched an impressive five innings, allowing just one hit and striking out seven.

In the bottom of the eighth, Hudson Brown secured the victory with a two-run RBI single, extending Kentucky’s lead to 7-3.

The Wildcats will next face the winner of the match between Clemson and West Virginia Sunday at noon.