MORGANTOWN, W.VA. — Game One of the 2026 Morgantown Regional was a highly anticipated one, as Kentucky was a part of the last four in, and Wake Forest, a powerhouse in College Baseball. The two squads battles in a tight game for a spot in the winners’ bracket.
Starting right-hander Chris Levonis and the Demon Deacons started the first inning retiring the side. Read more: Wildcats stun Demon Deacons in Game One of Morgantown Regional.
Centerfielder Javar Williams started the bottom of the first with a double that bounced off the right field wall, First baseman Kade Lewis hit Williams in with a one-out RBI single to take the lead 1-0 in the bottom of the first.
More early action
Third Baseman Dalton Wentz followed with a single of his own, which took Lewis to third. The Wildcats’ star shortstop, Tyler Bell was able to get Kentucky out of the inning with an unassisted 6-3 double play.
First baseman Hudson Brown started the top of the second with a single for the Wildcats. But he was then retired on a ground ball to second. Right fielder Braxton Van Cleave reached on a fielder’s choice.
Levonis was able to get out of the jam, and retired Hansen for his second strikeout of the game.
Related: Hype, hope & high stakes: fans give perspective on Morgantown Regional
Kentucky’s defense came to play in the bottom of the second, retiring the side. The Demon Deacons followed with the same play at the top of the third.
The defense of the Wildcats stayed strong, posting another 0.
Levonis posted two more strikeouts in the top of the fourth.
WF gains momentum, Cats claw back
Wake Forest started the bottom of the fourth out with a double by Dalton Wentz which was followed by a two-run home run by Catcher Matt Conte. 3-0 Demon Deacons at the bottom of the fourth.
Third baseman Caeden Cloud got the scoring started for the Wildcats with an RBI double to score Carson Hansen. Wake Forest held a 3-0 lead after 4.5 innings.
Rhys Bowie was the first pitcher out of the bullpen for either team. Luke Lawrence came to the plate, took a ball to the ankle on a bunt attempt , and then battled into the first walk of the game to put two runners on.
Wildcats first baseman Hudson Brown battled into a walk, loading the bases with no outs.
Van Cleave then hits two around to tie the game at three with only one out in the inning.
Brown came in to score on a passed ball, and the Wildcats have their first lead of the game. Hansen followed it with a sacrifice fly to center to score Van Cleave. 5-3 Wildcats.
Designated hitter Andrew Costello then took a ball out of the ballpark with a solo shot to cut the deficit to one run. 5-4 Wildcats bottom of the sixth.
The final stretch
After a scoreless seventh inning by both squads, Wildcat Designated Hitter Ethan Hindle started the top of the eighth with a gap shot double. But the Wake Forest defense stood tall and held Kentucky scoreless.
Wake Forest Third Baseman Dalton Wentz tied it up with a solo home run in the bottom of the eighth with one out, evening the score at 5-5.
Kentucky bounced back, retiring the next two batters.
The Wildcats took the lead in the top of the ninth on a passed ball, 6-5.
Sousie came in as relief for the Wildcats in the ninth, and was able to retire Andrew Costello to start the inning.
He then forced the Shortstop Schaaf into a groundout for out number two. JD Stein lined out to left field to end the game.
What’s next
No. 3-seeded Kentucky advances in the winners’ bracket to play West Virginia/Binghamton, who play at 5 p.m. Friday
No. 2 Wake Forest goes to the losers’ bracket to play the loser of West Virginia/Binghamton tomorrow, Saturday May 30, 2026 at 12 p.m.
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