Kentucky Baseball Dominates Oklahoma in Three-Game Series, Completing the Sweep with a Commanding Performance on Sunday Afternoon in Lexington
Kentucky baseball sent a clear message this weekend: it is playing some of its best ball at the right time of the season. The Wildcats completed a three-game sweep of the Oklahoma Sooners on Sunday afternoon in Lexington, using timely hitting, stellar pitching, and an energized home crowd to punctuate a statement weekend that could have postseason implications down the line.
Sunday’s victory came with a sense of finality and confidence. From the opening pitch, Kentucky looked locked in and determined not to let up. Every player in the lineup contributed in some way, whether it was on the basepaths, in the field, or at the plate. And behind them, a pitching staff that had already silenced Oklahoma’s bats on Friday and Saturday delivered again, holding off every rally attempt the Sooners could muster.
The sweep marked Kentucky’s fifth in SEC play this season and brought the Wildcats closer to the top tier of conference standings. More importantly, it demonstrated the team’s resilience and depth. Against an Oklahoma team that entered the weekend with a solid record and dangerous hitters throughout its lineup, Kentucky controlled nearly every facet of play.
Sunday’s game began with right-hander Grant Smith taking the mound for the Wildcats. Smith had been gradually emerging as one of Kentucky’s most reliable arms throughout the season, and Sunday was arguably his most impressive outing to date. He tossed six innings of three-hit baseball, walking one and striking out eight. He commanded the strike zone and forced Oklahoma into weak contact. His fastball was lively, and his breaking ball kept hitters off-balance, which allowed Kentucky’s defense to work efficiently behind him.
Offensively, the Wildcats wasted no time jumping ahead. A leadoff single by senior outfielder Ryan Waldschmidt sparked an early rally in the bottom of the first inning. Following a well-placed bunt and a fielder’s choice that moved Waldschmidt to third, first baseman Emilien Pitre drove in the game’s first run with a deep sacrifice fly to right field. Kentucky fans didn’t have to wait long for more action. In the third, the Wildcats loaded the bases with two outs and junior infielder Nick Lopez capitalized, sending a liner into the gap in left-center field to plate two more.
Kentucky added single runs in the fifth and sixth innings, building a 5-0 lead by the time the seventh rolled around. Their approach at the plate was patient and deliberate. They worked counts, avoided chasing pitches out of the zone, and put pressure on Oklahoma’s pitchers to throw strikes. The Sooners, already reeling from back-to-back losses, had difficulty matching Kentucky’s energy and execution.
Oklahoma’s best chance to claw back into the game came in the top of the seventh. Trailing by five, they managed to load the bases with two outs, forcing Kentucky to go to its bullpen. Sophomore reliever Sean Harney entered the game and struck out the next batter on three pitches, swinging the momentum right back in the Wildcats’ direction and prompting a standing ovation from the crowd.
The Wildcats added some insurance in the eighth, when catcher Devin Burkes launched a two-run homer to left field, sending the Kentucky dugout into celebration. It was Burkes’ seventh home run of the season and yet another example of how dangerous Kentucky’s lineup can be from top to bottom. Every inning presented a new challenge for Oklahoma’s pitching staff, and by the end of the series, the Sooners had used nearly every arm available just to keep the games within reach.
Defensively, Kentucky was near flawless. The Wildcats turned two double plays, including a slick 6-4-3 in the fourth that erased what looked like the start of an Oklahoma rally. Outfielders tracked down several hard-hit balls, and the infield handled every routine play with poise. These fundamentals have been a hallmark of head coach Nick Mingione’s program this season. The Wildcats don’t beat themselves. They force opponents to earn every run and capitalize on mistakes when given the chance.
Coach Mingione was visibly pleased after the final out, embracing players along the third base line as they came off the field. In his postgame comments, he praised the team’s focus and the atmosphere inside Kentucky Proud Park.
“Our guys showed what they’re made of this weekend,” Mingione said. “They stayed locked in from the first inning Friday night to the final pitch today. That’s what we need to do moving forward. It was a total team effort.”
He also singled out Grant Smith’s performance on the mound, calling it “the best we’ve seen from him yet” and noting how Smith’s ability to get ahead in counts set the tone for the entire game. Smith, in his own remarks, deflected the credit.
“I just trusted my stuff and knew the defense behind me would make plays,” Smith said. “We’ve got great chemistry on this team, and it makes everything easier when you know the guys have your back.”
Indeed, that chemistry has become one of the defining strengths of this Kentucky team. The dugout energy is constant, with players cheering, dancing, and rallying one another. It’s the kind of culture that doesn’t just make teams fun to watch—it helps them win close games and grind through difficult moments. And while Sunday’s victory was not close on the scoreboard, it came after a weekend of emotionally charged baseball, where momentum swings were frequent, and every inning carried weight.
The Wildcats now find themselves in an excellent position heading into the final stretch of the regular season. They’ve not only improved their overall and conference records, but they’ve also likely moved up in the eyes of regional selection committees. If Kentucky continues to play like it did this weekend, a national seed in the NCAA Tournament may no longer be out of the question.
Meanwhile, for Oklahoma, the series represented a harsh reminder of how quickly fortunes can change in college baseball. The Sooners, who had entered Lexington with hopes of building momentum in their own conference race, now return home needing to regroup and re-establish their identity. They were outscored 22-7 across the three games and failed to find consistency at the plate or on the mound. Still, with talent up and down their roster, they remain a dangerous team, especially if they can shake off this weekend’s disappointment.
For Kentucky, however, the story is one of confidence and cohesion. The Wildcats are rolling, and they’re doing it with a brand of baseball that’s tough, smart, and disciplined. Sunday’s sweep-clinching win didn’t just cap a great weekend—it reinforced the belief that this team is capable of making a deep run in the postseason.
As the players high-fived fans lining the walkway and celebrated with one another on the field, the sense of unity was unmistakable. Kentucky has found its rhythm at exactly the right time. The pitching is sharp, the hitting is relentless, and the belief is strong. This was more than just a series win. It was a message: Kentucky baseball is not just participating this season—they’re contending.
And as the sun set over Lexington, with the sound of celebration echoing from the stands, one thing was clear—this Wildcats team is built for more than just regular-season success. The sweep of Oklahoma was just the beginning.
