Baseball Hosts USC Upstate in Three-Game Series
LEXINGTON, Ky. -- Winners of six consecutive games, the Kentucky baseball team will return to action with a three-game series, hosting USC Upstate in the series opener at 4 p.m. ET on Friday at Cliff Hagan Stadium. The series will resume on Saturday at 2 p.m. and conclude on Sunday at 1 p.m.
The three games will be broadcast live on the UK Sports Radio Network, with the Voice of UK Baseball, Neil Price, calling the action. Fans can hear the games live in Lexington on Fox Sports 1580-AM and online at UKathletics.com. The final two games of the weekend will also be streamed live on SEC Network +, also available on the ESPN app.
Kentucky (9-3) enters its final non-conference weekend tune-up vs. the Spartans having won six consecutive games. The Wildcats returned home from a two-week road swing to open the year and have won all six games at Cliff Hagan Stadium. UK opened the week with midweek wins over Cincinnati and Murray State and is coming off a series sweep of Buffalo last weekend.
UK will turn to the weekend rotation of junior righty Zack Brown (1-2, 4.80 ERA) on Friday, senior right-hander Dustin Beggs (3-0, 1.29 ERA) on Saturday and senior righty Kyle Cody (1-1, 8.03 ERA) on Sunday. USC Upstate will counter with right-hander Blake Whitney (0-2, 2.87 ERA) on Friday, righty Eric Birklund (0-0, 2.30 ERA) on Saturday and right-hander Cody Brittain (1-0, 7.15 ERA) on Sunday.
The Wildcats have hit .315/.399/.518 as a team through 12 games, with 25 doubles, four triples, 17 homers and 91 runs scored, stealing 22 bases. UK has fielded .972 as a team, turning 10 double plays, nabbing four of eight runners attempting to steal. On the mound, UK has a 3.53 team ERA in 107 innings, walking 41 and striking out 110.
At the plate, sophomore first baseman/outfielder Evan White leads the team with a .423 (22-for-52) average with 12 runs, four doubles, one triple, one homer and 18 RBI, stealing six bases. Sophomore second baseman Luke Becker has hit .400 (14-for-35) with three doubles, four RBI, a .512 on-base percentage and three steals. Sophomore shortstop Riley Mahan owns a .362 average (17-for-47) with four doubles, two triples, two homers and eight RBI, swiping three bases. Junior DH Gunnar McNeill has batted .354 (17-for-48) with two doubles, two homers and 13 RBI and junior third baseman JaVon Shelby has batted .341 (14-for-41) with five doubles, four homers and 15 RBI, stealing two bases. Outfielder Zach Reks has hit .333 (9-for-27), freshman Tristan Pompey has hit .263 (10-for-38) with two doubles, one triple, four homers and 15 RBI. Freshman catcher Kole Cottam has batted .250 (5-for-20) with a homer and five RBI, junior centerfielder Storm Wilson has a .242 (8-for-33) average with three doubles, one homer and three RBI, adding three steals, and junior outfielder Marcus Carson has hit .174 (4-for-23) with a homer and four RBI.
In relief, righties Sean Hjelle (0-0, 0.00 ERA), Zach Pop (0-0, 1.08 ERA), Zach Strecker (2-0, 1.17 ERA), Justin Lewis (1-0, 1.29 ERA) and Bo Wilson (0-0, 15.00 ERA) have each appeared in at least three games. Lefties Daniel Tillo (0-0, 2.08 ERA), Dylan Dwyer (1-0, 2.25 ERA), Logan Salow (0-0, 3.68 ERA), Zach Logue (0-0, 4.00 ERA), Josh Smith (0-0, 4.50 ERA) and Brad Schaenzer (0-0, 9.00 ERA) help give the bullpen depth. Hjelle and Lewis each have a save for the UK relief corp.
USC Upstate (8-6) is off to a strong start to its season, sporting a stellar 2.81 team ERA in 125 innings, walking 44, striking out 139 and holding opponents to a .231 average. At the plate, USC Upstate has hit .271/.338/.400 with 27 doubles, three triples, nine homers and 72 runs, stealing one base. Defensively, USC Upstate has fielded .968, turning seven double plays and allowing 12 of 14 stolen-base attempts.
Records Kentucky: 9-3 USC Upstate: 8-6
Schedule (times Eastern and subject to change) -- Lexington, Ky. Friday, March 11 * vs. USC Upstate * 4 p.m. Saturday, March 12 * vs. USC Upstate * 2 p.m. [SEC Network +] Sunday, March 13 * vs. USC Upstate * 1 p.m. [SEC Network +]
Radio (UK Radio Network) Fox Sports 1580-AM in Lexington
Internet Coverage Live audio and stats on UKathletics.com
Tentative Pitching Matchup Friday vs. USC Upstate Jr., RHP Zack Brown (1-2, 4.80 ERA) vs. Saturday vs. USC Upsate Sr., RHP Dustin Beggs (3-0, 1.29 ERA) vs. Sunday vs. USC Upstate Sr., RHP Kyle Cody (1-1, 8.03 ERA) vs.
Stadium Cliff Hagan Stadium (3,000)
Parking Free gameday parking is available in the C-8 lot beyond rightfield and behind homeplate, or in the E lot adjacent to Cliff Hagan Stadium. The C-8 lot will be filled on a first come, first served basis. Once C-8 is filled, vehicles will be directed to park in the E lot next to Cliff Hagan Stadium. After the E lot is full, a limited amount of parking will be available in Parking Structure No. 7 on the ground floor. If you’re parking in PS#7, please exchange your ticket for a pink payment voucher at the ticket booth, prior to the end of the fourth inning. Additionally, overflow parking will be available in the smaller E lots close to Cooper Dr., as well as the C-6 lot at Commonwealth Stadium. All fans are asked to please follow the signage provided to the nearest parking location.
Tickets SINGLE-GAME TICKET PRICES $5 - General Admission Seating - Adults $2 - General Admission Seating - Kids/Seniors
SEASON TICKET PRICES $35 General Admission $55 Reserved Seating