LEXINGTON, Ky. — Kentucky freshman southpaw Corey Littrell, a native of Louisville, Ky., has been named the 51st-best freshman in college baseball in a ranking of the top 100 by Perfect Game USA, it was announced.

Littrell, a product of Trinity High School in Louisville, was tabbed as the 51st-best freshman in the nation in Perfect Game’s ranking of the top 100 freshmen in the NCAA. The 2010 Louisville Slugger Kentucky High School Player of the Year, Littrell was ranked as the 10th-best left-handed freshman pitcher in college baseball.

A 6-foot-3, 190-pounder, Littrell has been a key member of UK’s pitching rotation through eight games into the 2011 season. Littrell has appeared in two games with one start, tossing 8.2 innings. After taking the loss in relief of his first career outing in UK’s season-opening game at No. 20 College of Charleston, Littrell made his first career start on Wednesday against Eastern Michigan, a club fresh off a win at No. 4 Clemson. The UK southpaw was dominating, carrying a no-hitter into the seventh inning. After EMU broke up the no-hitter with a single, the Eagles No. 4 hitter pulled a two-run homer over the rightfield wall, ending Littrell’s start at 6.1 innings. All told, Littrell allowed two hits and two runs, walking two and striking out three, firing 51 strikes in 77 pitches.

Kentucky (4-4) returns to action on Friday, traveling to the prestigious Houston College Classic, hosted by the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park. UK will face No. 21 Rice on Friday at 8 p.m. ET.