Kentucky beats Vanderbilt on walk-off grand slam to take series opener
By Andrew Olson
Published:
Kentucky was one out away from coming out on the wrong end of a one-run decision in the series opener against Vanderbilt, but Braxton Van Cleave changed the outcome with one big swing.
UK trailed Vanderbilt 2-1 in the bottom of the 9th inning. The Wildcats loaded the bases, but had 2 outs when Van Cleave came to the plate. On a 1-1 pitch, he hit a walk-off grand slam for the first home run of his career.
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DID WE JUST SEE THAT?????!!!!
— Kentucky Baseball (@UKBaseball) April 18, 2026
FRESHMAN @Braxton_VC WITH A WALK-OFF, TWO OUT GRAND SLAM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
VICTORY, KENTUCKY!!!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/DNB7NrzEby
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Though the walk-off is the big story, especially being a grand slam, it was a fantastic pitching night for both teams, as evidenced by the 2-1 score through 8.5 innings.
Kentucky‘s Jaxon Jelkin was in danger of being the losing pitcher despite a quality outing. Jelkin pitched 8 innings, facing 31 batters. He gave up 2 runs, both earned, on 6 hits while striking out 9 and only walking 1. Vanderbilt had 4 of its 6 hits and both of its runs in the first 3 innings before Jelkin cruised through the next 5 frames.
UK made a pitching change for the 9th inning. Nile Adcock picked up the win for a scoreless top of the 9th.
Vanderbilt starter Connor Fennell went 6.1 innings, earning a no-decision. He allowed 1 earned run on 5 hits, striking out 3 and walking 2. Tim Corbin went with Tyler Baird in relief. Baird struck out 5 over 2.1 IP, but allowed 4 hits in the bottom of the 9th, including the grand slam to end the game.
The Wildcats will go for the series on Saturday, with first pitch set for 2 p.m. ET and streaming on SEC Network+.
Andrew writes about sports to fund his love of live music and collection of concert posters. He strongly endorses the Hall of Fame campaigns of Fred Taylor and Andruw Jones.
