Kentucky defeated LSU 7-4 on March 27 in the opening game of their baseball series at Alex Box Stadium, Skip Bertman Field. Kentucky right-hander Jaxon Jelkin pitched eight innings, helping No. 19 Kentucky improve to a 21-4 overall record and a 5-2 mark in Southeastern Conference play. LSU fell to 17-10 overall and holds a conference record of 2-5.
The win was highlighted by Jelkin’s performance, as he allowed only two runs on five hits, issued one walk, and struck out seven batters over eight innings while throwing a total of 114 pitches. LSU starting pitcher Casan Evans took the loss after giving up four runs on four hits across six innings with six walks and three strikeouts.
LSU coach Jay Johnson said, “I don’t hat-tip the opposing pitcher very often, but Jelkin was great tonight, he just doesn’t give you anything. Everything is in the zone, and you’re going to have to beat him in the zone. We got to him in the third inning, but then he found another gear for the rest of his outing.”
Kentucky scored early with one run in the first inning and extended its lead to four runs after centerfielder Jayce Tharnish delivered an RBI single, shortstop Tyler Bell drew a bases-loaded walk, and first baseman Hudson Brown hit a sacrifice fly in the second inning. LSU narrowed Kentucky’s lead when centerfielder Derek Curiel produced a two-run single in the third inning.
The Wildcats added three more runs in the seventh through an RBI double from second baseman Ethan Hindle, an RBI groundout by designated hitter Tagger Tyson, and a sacrifice fly from leftfielder Carson Hansen. In response, LSU scored twice more in the ninth inning with designated hitter Seth Dardar hitting an RBI double and second baseman Ethan Clauss adding an RBI groundout.
Dardar finished with three doubles—tying an LSU single-game record—and one RBI while going three-for-four at bat. Johnson said about Dardar’s performance: “I think tonight was an indication of the caliber of hitter that Seth is. We were excited to get Seth into the lineup and see that performance out of him tonight.”
The teams are scheduled to continue their series Saturday afternoon.
