Offensive surge pushes Cats to 12-8 victory

Facing its highest ranking opponent of the year, UK brought the big-boy bats.

The Cats (18-9, 2-5 SEC) recorded a season-high 17 hits, including four home runs, in a 12-8 victory over No. 10 Arkansas.

All but one UK starter had at least one hit.

Braden Kapteyn led the offense with a 4-for-5 performance, including a first-inning homer, and three RBI.

Gunner Glad finished 3-for-4 with a home run and two RBI of his own.  Andy Burns, who had been benched the last two games and was batting ninth against Arkansas, went 2-for-4 with a home run and two RBI.

The Cats roughed up Arkansas starter Mike Bolsinger for eight runs in 2.1 innings, which was a welcome sight after UK had gotten shutout in its first two SEC series openers.

UK starter Logan Darnell didn’t last much longer, either — going 3.2 innings with five runs — but Nick Kennedy pitched well in relief.  He picked up the win, throwing 4.1 innings before handing the ball over to Matt Little in the ninth.