LEXINGTON, Ky. (Interstat) — In a high-scoring, back-and-forth affair that defied pregame projections, the Kentucky Wildcats outslugged the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers 13-9 on Wednesday evening at Kentucky Proud Park.

The game, which saw a combined 30 hits, was ultimately decided by Kentucky’s relentless offense and a critical three-run seventh inning that broke a late tie. The victory improved Kentucky’s record to 6-2, while Western Kentucky fell to 5-4.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a 7-5 Kentucky win with the Wildcats holding a 73.5% probability of victory, but neither team’s pitching staff managed to contain the opposing lineup as anticipated.

The most important sequence of the game unfolded in the bottom of the seventh inning. Entering the frame leading 10-9, Kentucky erupted to put the game out of reach. After a leadoff single by L. Lawrence, Hudson Brown delivered an RBI double. Following a pitching change that brought in Zach Serup for Western Kentucky, the Wildcats tacked on two more runs on an RBI single by R. Schwartz and a run-scoring single by Owen Jenkins, pushing their lead to 13-9. That four-run cushion proved insurmountable for the Hilltoppers over the final two innings.

Kentucky’s offensive star was catcher Owen Jenkins, who rebounded from a recent slump to go 4 for 5 with three RBIs. His two-run double in the sixth inning tied the game at 10-10, and his seventh-inning single provided the final margin. Jenkins had been 3 for 10 over his previous three games.

Western Kentucky was led by first baseman Kyle Hayes, who launched two home runs, including a two-run shot in the sixth, and drove in three runs. Second baseman Austin Haller added two hits and two RBIs.

The Wildcats’ bullpen provided the stability their starters lacked. Burkley Bounds earned the win with 2 2/3 innings of perfect relief, striking out four. Chase Alderman started and went four innings, allowing two earned runs on five hits. For Western Kentucky, reliever Jude Favela recorded 0 2/3 scoreless innings, and Zach Serup struck out four over 1 2/3 innings but was charged with one earned run during the decisive seventh.

The game began with a surprising and rapid shift in momentum. Western Kentucky was held scoreless in the top of the first inning. Kentucky then responded with a four-run bottom half, highlighted by a leadoff home run from E. Hindle and a sacrifice fly from Brown, immediately seizing control.

Kentucky built an 8-5 lead by the fifth, but Western Kentucky fought back. Hayes’ second homer, a two-run blast in the sixth, sparked a four-run rally for the Hilltoppers, giving them a brief 9-8 advantage. The lead was short-lived, as Jenkins’ two-run double in the bottom of the sixth tied it before Kentucky’s seventh-inning explosion sealed the win.

Western Kentucky next hosts Indiana for a four-game series beginning Thursday. Kentucky opens a three-game home set against Saint John’s on Friday.