LEXINGTON —Kentucky baseball is just one win away from theNCAA Tournament super regional round.
All that stands in UK's way: Indiana State, which staved off elimination in the Lexington Regional in back-to-back games, beating Western Michigan on Saturday and then Illinois in Sunday's first contest.
Now, the Wildcats and Sycamores square off Sunday evening.
Get to the game:Want to buy Kentucky baseball tickets for the Lexington Regional? Here are your best options for 2024 NCAA Tournament
More:Watch Kentucky baseball vs. Indiana State in the NCAA Lexington Regional on ESPN+
If Indiana State earns its third straight victory, the two teams will return for a winner-take-all matchup Monday.
The Courier Journal'sRyan Blackis atKentucky Proud Parkand will have live updates throughout Sunday's game — here and on X, formerly known as Twitter — and complete coverage after. You can follow him on X at@RyanABlack.
FINAL: Kentucky 5, Indiana State 0
On to super regionals:Kentucky baseball beats Indiana State in 2024 NCAA tournament
AFTER TOP OF NINTH INNING IN NCAA LEXINGTON REGIONAL: Kentucky 5, Indiana State 0
UK in the ninth: three at-bats, three outs. Still, it leads by five and needs only three outs to win the regional.
AFTER BOTTOM OF EIGHTH INNING IN NCAA LEXINGTON REGIONAL: Kentucky 5, Indiana State 0
Kentucky pitcher Cameron O'Brien gave up a single and a walk, but Indiana State couldn't build off either. The shutout remains intact with UK three outs away from victory. All three outs in the inning via strikeouts by O'Brien.
AFTER TOP OF EIGHTH INNING IN NCAA LEXINGTON REGIONAL: Kentucky 5, Indiana State 0
Three straight outs for UK in the top of the eighth, as its lead remains five.
AFTER BOTTOM OF SEVENTH INNING IN NCAA LEXINGTON REGIONAL: Kentucky 5, Indiana State 0
Two UK pitchers combined to close the seventh inning: Jackson Nove got the first two outs before Cameron O'Brien trotted in from the bullpen for the final punchout.
AFTER TOP OF SEVENTH INNING IN NCAA LEXINGTON REGIONAL: Kentucky 5, Indiana State 0
Émilien Pitre extended UK's lead to five thanks to a two-run homer he deposited into the Wildcats' bullpen beyond the left-field fence. It marked Kentucky's only runs of the inning, but it's ever closer to victory, now just nine outs away from a super regional berth.
AFTER BOTTOM OF SIXTH INNING IN NCAA LEXINGTON REGIONAL: Kentucky 3, Indiana State 0
Mason Moore exceeded the 100-pitch mark on the day in the sixth. But it came during an inning in which he sat down all three batters he faced to keep UK's lead at three.
Grant Smith's web gem
Check out Kentucky shortstop Grant Smith flashing the leather on a highlight-reel catch in the fifth inning in the embedded video below.
AFTER TOP OF SIXTH INNING IN NCAA LEXINGTON REGIONAL: Kentucky 3, Indiana State 0
The Wildcats' batsman find no luck in the sixth, with three straight outs.
AFTER BOTTOM OF FIFTH INNING IN NCAA LEXINGTON REGIONAL: Kentucky 3, Indiana State 0
Mason Moore faced his first hint of danger after walking back-to-back batters to begin the bottom of the fifth. But then he struck out Randal Diaz on a 3-2 count, and then got help from his teammates: Shortstop Grant Smith made a highlight-reel catch in the outfield for Out No. 2, which prevented Riley Iffrig from tagging at third base and running home for Indiana State's first run. Moore then induced a groundout from Luis Hernandez to escape the inning without letting the Sycamores get on the board.
AFTER TOP OF FIFTH INNING IN NCAA LEXINGTON REGIONAL: Kentucky 3, Indiana State 0
UK goes three up, three down. It's the first inning in Sunday's game in which the Wildcats fail to have at least one baserunner.
AFTER BOTTOM OF FOURTH INNING IN NCAA LEXINGTON REGIONAL: Kentucky 3, Indiana State 0
Mike Sears started the inning with a double down the left-field line. But Mason Moore once again came away unscathed, as UK continues to lead 3-0 after four.
AFTER TOP OF FOURTH INNING IN NCAA LEXINGTON REGIONAL: Kentucky 3, Indiana State 0
Ryan Waldschmidt singled, but Émilien Pitre hit into an inning-ending double play to squelch any hope the Wildcats had of adding to their advantage.
AFTER BOTTOM OF THIRD INNING IN NCAA LEXINGTON REGIONAL: Kentucky 3, Indiana State 0
Mason Moore permitted a pair of singles but continues to keep Indiana State scoreless, with the Wildcats maintaining their three-run lead after three innings.
AFTER TOP OF THIRD INNING IN NCAA LEXINGTON REGIONAL: Kentucky 3, Indiana State 0
UK loaded the bases with two outs and pushed a run across after Nolan McCarthy was hit by a pitch. But James McCoy struck out looking to leave three men on base as the inning ended.
AFTER BOTTOM OF SECOND INNING IN NCAA LEXINGTON REGIONAL: Kentucky 2, Indiana State 0
Aside from issuing one walk, it's another clean inning for UK hurler Mason Moore. Wildcats up 2-0 after two.
AFTER TOP OF SECOND INNING IN NCAA LEXINGTON REGIONAL: Kentucky 2, Indiana State 0
Ryan Nicholson had the highlight of the second inning courtesy of a mammoth homer. Nicholson took time to admire it as the ball sailed over the wall in right-center field. It's the second homer of the weekend for the St. Xavier graduate.
Quick hook for Indiana State starter
Cole Gilley, who started on the mound for Indiana State, already is done for the day. He walks off after 1 ⅔ innings of work. Jacob Pruitt is on in relief for the Sycamores.
AFTER BOTTOM OF FIRST INNING IN NCAA LEXINGTON REGIONAL: Kentucky 1, Indiana State 0
Randal Diaz led off with a single. But then UK starting pitcher Mason Moore struck out Parker Stinson and leaned on his defense to end the inning. Moore's teammates obliged, turning a double play to cap the first frame.
AFTER TOP OF FIRST INNING IN NCAA LEXINGTON REGIONAL: Kentucky 1, Indiana State 0
The Wildcats, the visiting team in their home park for the second straight game, wasted no time getting going Sunday, as Émilien Pitre scored on a sacrifice fly from Devin Burkes. Pitre reached base on a walk, then advanced to third after a throwing error by Indiana State starting pitcher Cole Gilley.
Tentative start time announced for Kentucky vs. Indiana State NCAA Tournament regional game
We now have a tentative first-pitch time for Kentucky's contest versus Indiana State: Pending further weather delays, the game is scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m.
The NCAA Tournament regional game was originally scheduled to start at 6 p.m. before multiple weather delays pushed back first pitch.
Weather continues to delay start of Kentucky vs. Indiana State NCAA Tournament regional game
Lightning was detected within 8 miles of Kentucky Proud Park. Because of that, all activities are forced to be delayed for 30 minutes. At the end of the half hour, the situation will be reevaluated.
All those inside KPP have been asked to seek shelter.
Start of Kentucky vs. Indiana State NCAA Tournament regional game delayed due to weather
Kentucky baseball's game versus Indiana State in theNCAA TournamentLexington Regional is on hold because of Mother Nature. Inclement weather in the Lexington area has delayed the start of Sunday evening's game, which was slated to begin at 6 p.m.
First pitch is still to be determined.
What channel is Kentucky vs Indiana State on today?
Kentucky's NCAA Tournament regional game against Indiana State will stream at 6 p.m. Sunday on ESPN+.
You can watch the game onWatchESPN.com, the WatchESPN app or ESPN+. Authenticated subscribers can access ESPN+ via TV-connected devices. Those without access to ESPN+ can access the game via a subscription to ESPN+. (To sign up for ESPN+, clickhere.)
Kentucky vs Indiana State start time
First pitch for Sunday's game in Lexington is set for 6 p.m.
Kentucky vs Indiana State prediction
Kentucky 7, Indiana State 6:The Sycamores have won seven games against power-conference foes this season, and with the 10th-best RPI in the country, they were projected as a possible top-16 seed in the NCAA Tournament. That didn't happen. So while Sunday will be far from an easy game for Kentucky, it is far more rested, physically and mentally, than Indiana State, which has had to fight to keep its season alive two straight days. The Sycamores will carry over their white-hot offense from Sunday's first game to take an early lead over UK, but the Wildcats will stage a late rally to surge into super regionals for the second straight season.
Kentucky vs Indiana State location
All games in the NCAA Tournament's Lexington Regional will be held at UK's home stadium, Kentucky Proud Park.
Kentucky vs Indiana State lineups
Check out the starting lineups for both Kentucky and Indiana State in the embedded tweets below.
Kentucky
Indiana State
Kentucky vs Indiana State tickets
StubHub has tickets available for the UK/Indiana State game,starting at $3, as of 3:30 p.m. Sunday.
Kentucky baseball schedule 2024
Kentucky is 42-14 in 2024, including 22-8 in SEC play during the regular season. The Wildcats claimed a share of the league's regular-season title for only the second time in school history.
Click here to see the Wildcats' full 2024 schedule.
Indiana State baseball schedule 2024
Indiana State is 44-14, going 22-5 in the Missouri Valley Conference during the regular season. The Sycamores won the MVC regular-season title by five games over runners-up Evansville and Murray State.
Click here to see the Sycamores' full 2024 schedule.
Kentucky baseball roster
Interested in seeing the Wildcats' entire roster?
Click here to meet the 2024 UK baseball team.
Indiana State baseball roster
Want to learn Sycamores' roster?
Click here for player bios and more.
NCAA Lexington regionals schedule
Here's the slate for Sunday's two games in the NCAA Lexington Regional:
- Indiana State 13, Illinois 2
- Kentucky vs. Indiana State, 6 p.m.;Live stream:ESPN+;Stream:ESPN+
NCAA Lexington regionals bracket
Here's a look at every game set to take place during the Lexington Regional at Kentucky Proud Park:
Friday, May 31
- Game 1:Kentucky 10, Western Michigan 8 (Click here to read the story from the game.)
- Game 2:Illinois 4, Indiana State 1
Saturday, June 1
- Game 3:Indiana State 6, Western Michigan 4
- Game 4:Kentucky 6, Illinois 1 (Click here to read the story from the game.)
Sunday, June 2
- Game 5: Indiana State 13, Illinois 2
- Game 6:Kentucky vs. Indiana State, 6 p.m.;Live stream:ESPN+;Stream:ESPN+
Monday, June 3 (if necessary)
- Game 7:Kentucky vs. Indiana State, Time TBD;TV:TBD
NCAA Tournament Lexington Regional tickets
StubHub has an all-sessions ticket,starting at $72(as of 3:30 p.m. Sunday), that gets spectators into every game of the regional.
2024 College World Series bracket
Interested in seeing the 64-team bracket for this year's NCAA Tournament?
Click here to view it on the NCAA's official website.
2024 NCAA baseball tournament odds
Kentucky hasthe fifth-best odds, at +1000,to win the College World Series, per BetMGM.
The four favorites to capture the title are four other SEC squads:Tennessee(+500),Texas A&M(+550),Arkansas(+900) and defending national championLSU(+900).
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Reach Kentucky men’s basketball and football reporter Ryan Black at rblack@gannett.com and follow him on X at @RyanABlack.
