Shaun Montoya sprinted around the bases as the Kentucky Proud Park lights flickered, having just given Kentucky a lead for the 13th time in as many Southeastern Conference games.

The advantage was short-lived however, as No. 2 Texas responded with three runs in its next time to the plate and scored a 6-3 victory in the first game of the series. The Cats dropped to 18-13 overall and 5-8 in the league.

The teams played to a stalemate through five innings before Montoya’s blast in the sixth. The Cats advanced a runner to second base or beyond in each of the first six innings but could only push two across.

NOTES

• Kentucky is 18-13 (5-8 SEC) on the season.
• This was UK’s fifth consecutive game against a ranked opponent.
• UK has knocked out the opposing starting pitcher in 4.0 or fewer innings in eight of 13 SEC games and none have gone more than 5.0 innings.
• UK has held a lead in all 13 SEC games.
• UK Coach Nick Mingione is in his ninth season at the helm and now owns a 281-177 career record.
• Mingione is the second-winningest coach in school history.
• UK is 59-63 in the month of April under Coach Mingione.
• Mingione now is 0-1 vs. Texas.
• INF Ethan Hindle drew a HBP in his first two plates appearance to extend his reached base safely streak to 17 games.
• He has been hit a team-leading 16 times this season.
• Senior INF Patrick Herrera reached base each of his first four times up to bat: BB, 1B, HBP, BB.
• RHP Nate Harris was excellent in his second SEC start: 4 IP, 4 hits, 1 run, 2 walks, 4 strikeouts.

ON DECK

The Cats continue a series against No. 2 Texas on Saturday at noon ET at Kentucky Proud Park. It will air on the SEC Network and radio will be carried by the UK Sports Network.