GRANVILLE, W.Va. (Interstat) — Kentucky overcame a three-run deficit and scored the winning run on a wild pitch in the top of the ninth inning to edge Wake Forest 6-5 in an NCAA playoff game Friday afternoon at Monongalia County Ballpark. The Wildcats (32-21) managed only four hits but capitalized on timely hitting, while the Demon Deacons (38-20) outhit Kentucky 10-4.

Wake Forest took an early lead when Kade Lewis singled in Javar Williams in the first inning. Matt Conte hit a two-run homer in the fourth to make it 3-0. Kentucky responded in the fifth on Caeden Cloud’s RBI double, then erupted for four runs in the sixth. Braxton VanCleave doubled in two runs and later scored on a wild pitch, and Carson Hansen added a sacrifice fly. Andrew Costello and Dalton Wentz hit solo homers for Wake to tie the game in the sixth and eighth innings, respectively. In the ninth, Jayce Tharnish scored on another wild pitch to put Kentucky ahead. Chris Levonas started for Wake, while Jaxon Jelkin and relievers Nile Adcock and Jackson Soucie pitched for Kentucky.