Kentucky Gives Up Three Runs in the Ninth Inning to Lose Game One to Vanderbilt

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Kentucky Wildcats were three outs away from a statement win. After a fast start, clutch pitching, and key defensive stops, it seemed that Kentucky had done enough to outlast No. 9 Vanderbilt in Game One of their critical SEC series at Hawkins Field. But in the cruelest twist of fate, the Commodores broke Wildcat hearts with a dramatic, walk-off, three-run home run to secure an 8–7 victory in front of a stunned Thursday night crowd.

For Kentucky (29–21, 13–15 SEC), the loss is more than just a single tally in the standings—it was a gut punch that could alter the complexion of their postseason outlook.

The Game That Got Away

Kentucky opened the game like a team on a mission. The Wildcats wasted no time establishing control, jumping out to a 5–0 lead in the top of the first inning thanks to a flurry of early offense. James McCoy continued his scorching stretch at the plate, launching a three-run opposite-field home run that quieted the Vanderbilt faithful. Moments later, Carson Hansen followed with a towering solo shot, and Raphael Pelletier added an RBI single, capping off one of Kentucky’s most productive innings of the season.

Vanderbilt appeared shell-shocked. Their starter was pulled before the first inning ended. The Wildcats had them on the ropes.

But the Wildcats’ grip slowly loosened as the innings wore on. What began as dominance slowly turned into survival.

Pitching Seesaw

Freshman right-hander Nate Harris took the mound for Kentucky, and though he was spotted a five-run lead, the challenge of facing Vanderbilt’s elite lineup soon caught up with him. Harris surrendered five earned runs across four innings, battling command issues and failing to consistently locate his breaking ball.

Still, he managed to avoid total collapse, and head coach Nick Mingione turned to sophomore Jackson Nove, who delivered four nearly flawless innings of relief. Nove struck out five Commodores and allowed just two hits, keeping Kentucky in front 7–5 entering the ninth inning.

“I thought Jackson was outstanding,” Mingione said postgame. “He gave us every chance to win that ballgame.”

The bullpen had been solid. The defense had made plays. All that was needed was three outs.

Missed Chances Define the Night

While the offense had done early damage, the Wildcats left too many opportunities on the table late in the game. None were more glaring than the seventh inning, when Kentucky loaded the bases with no outs and failed to score a single run. A strikeout, a shallow flyout, and a groundout ended the threat.

It felt ominous at the time. It turned fatal by night’s end.

“We’ve got to capitalize in that moment,” said McCoy. “We had them on the ropes again and didn’t finish. That one hurts.”

Vanderbilt, meanwhile, chipped away, scoring two runs in the bottom of the third and three in the fourth to cut the deficit. But they didn’t take the lead until the final swing of the night.

The Ninth-Inning Meltdown

With Kentucky clinging to a 7–5 lead, closer Johnny Hummel was tasked with finishing the job. He recorded one out before issuing a walk and then hitting the next batter. A groundout moved the runners to second and third, but Hummel quickly got ahead of Braden Holcomb with a two-strike count.

One pitch away.

Then came the mistake. A fastball over the heart of the plate. Holcomb didn’t miss.

The ball soared deep over the left field wall. The crowd erupted. Vanderbilt streamed onto the field. And Kentucky stood frozen.

Just like that, it was over. The Commodores walked it off, 8–7.

“It’s one pitch,” said Mingione. “But that’s baseball. It’s never just one pitch—it’s all the little things along the way. The missed opportunities. The walks. Leaving the bases loaded. That’s where games are won and lost.”

Momentum Killer for Kentucky

For a team looking to build momentum heading into the SEC Tournament and NCAA regional consideration, this was a devastating result. A road win over a top-10 SEC opponent would have boosted Kentucky’s résumé and confidence.

Instead, the Wildcats now face the task of trying to regroup quickly. The loss marked their sixth defeat in the last eight SEC games, casting doubt on their ability to close out against elite teams.

“We’ve got to flush it and move on,” Hansen said. “That’s the only option. We’ll come back tomorrow and be ready.”

But the emotional toll of such a loss can’t be overstated. The bullpen had been reliable most of the season. The bats had been timely. And yet, none of that mattered in the final moment.

Vanderbilt’s Grit on Full Display

Give credit where it’s due: Vanderbilt refused to fold, even after a disastrous start. Head coach Tim Corbin kept his team focused and made key bullpen adjustments that slowed Kentucky’s momentum after the first inning.

“That’s what I love about this group,” Corbin said. “They never believe they’re out of it.”

Holcomb’s game-winning blast was his ninth home run of the season and may go down as one of the defining moments of Vanderbilt’s 2025 campaign. It was a pressure moment—two outs, two strikes, a chance to steal victory—and he delivered.

“I was just trying to put a good swing on something,” Holcomb said postgame. “I didn’t want the game to end. I saw a fastball and went for it.”

Series Implications and Beyond

The win gives Vanderbilt (36–14, 17–11 SEC) a leg up in the series and positions them well for a potential top-8 national seed in the NCAA Tournament. For Kentucky, the loss puts additional pressure on Games Two and Three if they hope to avoid the SEC Tournament’s play-in round and stay off the bubble for NCAA postseason qualification.

“This isn’t over by any stretch,” Mingione said. “We’re in the fight. We’ve got two more opportunities, and I believe in this team.”

What Comes Next

Kentucky will likely send senior Travis Smith to the mound in Game Two, a steady veteran who’s delivered several quality starts this year. He’ll need to be sharp to contain a Vanderbilt offense that now carries major momentum.

The Wildcats, meanwhile, must address their bullpen strategy. With Hummel potentially unavailable for Game Two after his high-leverage appearance, Mingione could turn to Hayden Blevins or Evan Byers in late innings.

Offensively, Kentucky needs consistency beyond the first inning. After their five-run outburst in the opening frame, they managed just two more runs the rest of the game. It’s a trend that has cost them multiple games during the SEC stretch.

“We started hot, but good teams find ways to keep the pressure on,” McCoy said. “We let up. That’s on us.”

A Cautionary Tale

If the Wildcats are looking for a silver lining, it’s this: they proved they can go toe-to-toe with one of the SEC’s best on the road. The loss doesn’t erase the talent or potential in this lineup.

But in the SEC, potential is nothing without execution. And execution failed them in the most critical moments of the night.

This game will be remembered for Holcomb’s heroics, but also for Kentucky’s inability to close a game that was firmly in their control. With the regular season drawing to a close, every pitch and every inning matters more than ever.

Whether the Wildcats learn from this—or let it linger—will define how their season ends.