Wildcats survive NCAA Tournament opener, defeat Western Michigan, 10-8

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) - No. 2 seed Kentucky survived a scare on Friday, but knocked off Western Michigan 10-8 in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament at Kentucky Proud Park.

James McCoy hit a two-run homer in the second inning and Kentucky (41-14) raced out to an 8-0 lead through four innings.

But Western Michigan came back with five runs in the top of the fifth, chasing UK starter Dominic Niman.

The Wildcats scored two more in the bottom of the sixth on a sacrifice fly by Ryan Waldschmidt and an RBI single from Emilien Pitre, to make it 10-5.

The Broncos plated three more in the top of the sixth to cut the UK lead to 10-8.

Western Michigan loaded the bases in the top of the ninth, but UK’s Robert Hogan coaxed Grady Mee to fly out to left field to end the game.

Mitchell Daly, Pitre and McCoy each collected two hits. McCoy finished with three RBI.

UK advances in the winner’s bracket to face the winner of Friday night’s Illinois-Indiana State winner on Saturday. First pitch is set for 6 p.m.