The first three Kentucky hitters all hit the ball hard off Nick Christiani, and the 'Cats had runners on the corners with one out (Antone de Jesus' line drive was caught by Ryan Flaherty at short).

Matt McKinney stepped in and watched two strikes, and then Nick Christiani's pitched went right between catcher Andrew Giobbi's legs to score a run and move Sean Coughlin to second. Christiani just missed with two more pitches, and McKinney struck out swinging on a terrific slider that moved away from him.

UK's Brock Wright and Brian Spear walked to load the bases with two outs for Ryan Wilkes. Christiani threw two looking strikes, then Wilkes fouled one off the other way, then looked at two balls well off the plate, and another that just missed outside, and another that missed well outside for a game-tying walk.

That brought Keenan Wiley to the plate with the bases still loade, and Christiani again got ahead with strike one looking. The 'Cats then tried to bunt, and bailed Christiani out when Wright wandered too far off third, and Giobbi threw down to Alvarez in plenty of time for the tag.

It's tied going to the second, and Vandy's got right-hander Ty Davis warming up in the bullpen for Christiani, who has struggled in early innings throughout the season.