LEXINGTON, Ky. (Interstat) — In a wild, back-and-forth midweek affair that defied pregame projections, the Kentucky Wildcats rallied from an early six-run deficit and outlasted the Miami (Ohio) Redhawks 14-11 on Tuesday evening at Kentucky Proud Park.

The game, which saw 25 combined runs, 24 hits, 23 walks or hit batters, and 10 pitchers used, was a far cry from the Interstat simulator’s projection of a 7-5 Kentucky win. The Wildcats, who held an 83.8% win probability by ELO ratings, instead had to claw their way to a victory that improved their record to 22-6. Miami (Ohio) fell to 17-10.

The most critical juncture of the contest came in the bottom of the eighth inning, with the score knotted at 11-11. Kentucky’s Ryan Schwartz singled and Tyler Tyson walked to set the table for Jace Tharnish, who delivered a go-ahead single up the middle to score Schwartz. After a pitching change and a walk loaded the bases, Hudson Brown lifted a sacrifice fly to left field, plating Tharnish for a crucial insurance run. The final run of the frame scored on a bases-loaded walk to Trey Bell, providing the Wildcats a three-run cushion that proved decisive.

Kentucky’s victory was a product of relentless offense after a slow start. Miami (Ohio) built a commanding 7-1 lead by the middle of the fourth inning, powered by a solo home run from shortstop Dominic Krupinski and a two-RBI double from third baseman Christopher Roa, who finished with three RBIs.

The Wildcats began their comeback in the bottom of the fourth, sending 12 batters to the plate and scoring six runs to tie the game. The inning was highlighted by a two-run homer from designated hitter Carson Hansen and a two-run single from first baseman Hudson Brown, who drove in three runs overall.

Miami responded immediately, regaining an 11-7 lead with a four-run top of the sixth, keyed by Roa’s two-run single. Kentucky again answered in the bottom half, with left fielder Will Marcy smacking a two-run double as part of a three-run inning to close the gap to 11-10. The Wildcats finally drew even at 11-11 in the seventh on a hit-by-pitch with the bases loaded by Ethan Hindle, setting the stage for the decisive eighth.

Kentucky reliever Nile Adcock earned the win, providing critical stability with 2 2/3 innings of one-run ball, allowing just two hits and striking out four. William Coleman recorded the final out of the seventh to set up Adcock’s winning effort. Miami reliever Landon Fulk, who entered with the bases loaded in the seventh and allowed the tying run to score, was charged with the loss after surrendering three runs in the eighth.

Despite the loss, Miami (Ohio) out-hit Kentucky 12-12, with Krupinski going 2-for-3 with a home run, two RBIs, and three runs scored. Kentucky’s Hansen went 2-for-5 with his home run and three RBIs, while Marcy drove in three runs.

The Wildcats look ahead to a weekend SEC series opener against Missouri on Friday. The Redhawks return to Oxford to begin a three-game series with Ball State on Thursday.