Observations (3/27): Jaxon Jelkin does it again, Kentucky beats LSU 7-4
Jaxon Jelkin spun a gem as Kentucky took game one of its series at LSU.
No. 19 Kentucky took down LSU 7-4 in game one of a three-game set at The Box. Kentucky improved to 21-4 overall and 5-2 in SEC play with the win.
This game kicked off a pivotal series for both teams early in conference play as Kentucky looks to keep stacking wins, while LSU looks to get back on track. The Tigers started off as preseason No. 1 or No. 2, depending on the poll, but have completely fallen out of all rankings after a brutal start. The Wildcats swept Alabama to open SEC play before dropping a series to Ole Miss. LSU has dropped a series to Vanderbilt and Oklahoma.
Below are a few takeaways from the game one win.
Jaxon Jelkin has best outing at UK
Last weekend, junior righty Jaxon Jelkin evened the series against Ole Miss in a dominant seven-inning effort. He was back to the game one slot in the conventional Friday to Sunday series and he turned in another masterful outing.
After his offense gave him a 1-0 lead in the first, Jelkin got two quick outs before giving up a single. He got a grounder from the next hitter to end the inning. His offense boosted that lead to 4-0 in the second and Jelkin repeated the first by getting two outs before giving up a double. He stranded the runner on the next batter to keep LSU off the board.
LSU had a prime opportunity to get to the Kentucky righty in the third as a single, hit batsmen and walk loaded the bases with no outs. Jelkin struck out the next batter before surrendering a two-run single that cut the lead in half. The scoring stopped at that as a 4-6-3 double play ended the inning.
The game settled into a pitchers’ duel after this as Jelkin tossed three-up, three-down frames in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings. He retired 11 straight, but was tagged for a one-out double in the seventh. The runner moved to third on a flyout, but was stranded there as Jelkin capped off the seventh with a groundout.
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To the surprise of some, Jelkin was back on the hill in the eighth and he worked a 3-2 count on the first batter before striking him out on a check swing. Another deep count resulted in a flyout. Jelkin struck out his final batter of the night to cap off a three-up, three-down inning with a frenzy of emotion.
Jelkin earned his sixth win of the season and lowered his ERA to 2.81 in 41.2 innings of work. He finished with the following final line against LSU: eight innings, five hits, two runs, one walk and seven strikeouts on 114 pitches. Senior righty Nile Adcock came on and gave up two runs, but secured the win.
E8 | @jaxonj24 with as much emotion as you'll see from him as he blows a FB by batter to end the 8th. pic.twitter.com/UJoCdz5lhq
— Kentucky Baseball (@UKBaseball) March 28, 2026
Tyler Bell back at shortstop
It seemed like a matter of time until sophomore superstar Tyler Bell was back at shortstop after getting cleared to hit a few weeks ago. Bat Cat Central learned shortly before the series opener against LSU that Bell would be making his return to short and the lineup confirmed that.
Senior Luke Lawrence has been holding down short in Bell’s absence, and he moved to third for the first time in his Kentucky career. Junior Ethan Hindle remained at second in this one, which is where he’s been since the moment Bell got injured. It was clear that someone was going to be the odd man out when Bell returned and it was Tyler Cerny in game one.
Fast start at The Box
One of the best ways to calm a hostile road environment like The Box is to kill the pregame hype and anticipation by getting a lead. Kentucky did just that in the first inning, largely by showing plate discipline. LSU starter Casan Evans walked centerfielder Jayce Tharnish and hit Lawrence to start the early rally.
Bell hit into a double play that seemed to simmer the start, but a wild pitch brought home Tharnish to open the scoring in the series. The real damage came in the second when left fielder Carson Hansen singled and catcher Owen Jenkins walked. A flyout moved Hansen to third and he scored on a single by Tharnish.
Lawrence walked to load the bases with one out and Bell worked an at-bat to 3-2 and drew a walk to score another run. First baseman Hudson Brown hit a sacrifice fly to cap off the three-run rally and hot start in the first two innings.
Seventh inning rally seals the deal
Offense was hard to come by in the middle innings as neither team scored in the fourth, fifth or sixth innings. Kentucky clung to a two-run advantage into the seventh and Lawrence led off with an infield single. Bell walked before Brown struck out for the first out.
Hindle roped a ball to center and it hit off the glove of the leaping center fielder Derek Curiel to bring home Lawrence. DH Tagger Tyson reached on a fielder’s choice to bring in another run for the Bat Cats. Hansen capped off the three-run rally with a sacrifice fly. That run capped off the scoring in the game for Kentucky as it went scoreless in the eighth and ninth.
The Wildcats will go for the series win over LSU on Saturday at 3 p.m. Sophomore right-hander Nate Harris is scheduled to pitch for the Wildcats.
