St. John’s Falls in Series Opener at No. 22 Kentucky, 3-1

Friday, February 27

Lexington, Ky. (Kentucky Proud Park)

4 p.m.

St. John's University

1-7

Kentucky

7-2

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
St. John's	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	1	2	1
Kentucky	0	1	0	1	1	0	0	0	X	3	6	1

St. John’s Falls in Series Opener at No. 22 Kentucky, 3-1

2/27/2026 7:28:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score Box Score

Red Storm allowed just six hits

LEXINGTON, Ky. – The St. John's baseball team fell in a tightly contested series opener at No. 22 Kentucky on Friday evening at Kentucky Proud Park.

The Wildcats (7-2) loaded the bases in back-to-back innings, but Liam O'Leary was able to help the Red Storm (1-7) get out of the jam both times.

Ayden Frey went 1-for-3 with a single and scored a run, while Jayder Raifstanger went 1-for-4. Jon LeGrande drew a walk and stole a base.

O'Leary pitched a season-high 6.0 innings, allowing six hits and two earned runs while striking out four batters. Jack Nestler pitched 2.0 innings of no-hit relief.

Kentucky opened the scoring in the bottom half of the second inning with a solo home run. The Wildcats tacked on another run in the bottom of the fourth, 2-0.

After loading the bases, Kentucky crossed home plate on a fielder's choice to add its final run of the night to make it 3-0. O'Leary loaded the bases once more but thwarted the momentum with a flyout to end the fifth inning.

St. John's rallied in the top of the eighth frame to get on board late in the contest. After a Frey single and Adam Agresti was hit by a pitch, Chaz Wright entered to pinch hit and reached on an error to bring home Frey, 3-1. The Red Storm bats came up short to give the Wildcats a 3-1 series opening win.

The Johnnies are back in action tomorrow for game two of the three-game set at Kentucky. First pitch from Kentucky Proud Park is set for 1 p.m.