On the verge of elimination, Kentucky staged a furious ninth inning rally to defeat Kent State Saturday in Louisville.
Thomas Bernal hit a two-out, two-run double to highlight a four-run ninth inning as the Wildcats rallied past Kent State 4-2 Friday in an elimination game of an NCAA regional.
A.J. Reed pitched a complete game and knocked in Kentucky's first run of the game with a one-out double in the ninth to score Max Kuhn from second. Ka'ai Tom struck out, and reliever Nick Fasola walked consecutive batters — the first walks of the game for either team — before Bernal's double dropped in just out of left fielder Troy Summers' reach.
Reed, who led college baseball with 23 home runs this season, gave up singles to Kent State's first four batters before retiring the next 14 batters. After the first inning, he only allowed one player past first base.
Kent State (36-23) was in good shape thanks to starter Nick Jensen-Clagg, who pitched a career-high 8 1/3 innings. But he was pulled after surrendering Reed's double in the ninth.
Kentucky (35-24) ended the game when Kent State grounded into a double play.