Washington State Take #24 Kentucky in Record -Setting Game

The Washington State University Cougars defeated the #24 University of Kentucky Wildcats 6-to-4 in the opening game of the 2024 Karbach Round Rock Classic.  The game saw a Karbach record number of eight players hit-by-pitch. 

Washington State starting pitch Grant Taylor earned the win, holding the Wildcats to two hits and one run in six innings on the mound.  Kentucky starter Travis Smith endured the loss, allowing four runs (three earned) on six hits  in five innings of work. 

Kentucky opened the scoring with a run in the opening frame.  Washington State claimed the lead with three runs in the fourth inning and one in the fifth.  The Wildcats mounted a come-back attempt with two runs in the seventh inning, only to have the effort neutralized with the Cougars two runs in the top of the eighth.  Kentucky added the game’s final run in the bottom of the eighth inning, making the final score 6-to-4. 

Washington State was led by Nate Swarts with two hits in two appearances including a two-run triple in the fourth inning and a run scoring walk in the eighth.  Max Hartman went 2-for-4 in the batter’s box with an RBI.  Casen Taggart and Crew Parke also brought home runs. 

Kentucky plated four runs in the effort, three earned, on just two run-producing hits from Emilien Pitre and Nolan McCarthy.