March 30, 2009
LEXINGTON, Ky. — After falling in the rubber match with No. 28 South Carolina Sunday, the Kentucky baseball team returns to action with a pair of mid-week, non-conference tilts, hosting Marshall at 6:30 p.m. ET Tuesday and Wright State at 6 p.m. Wednesday, at Cliff Hagan Stadium.
Kentucky (16-9, 4-5 Southeastern Conference) is coming off a series defeat to the 28th-ranked Gamecocks, posting a 5-4 walk-off win in game two and falling 20-19 in the first game. UK fell in the finale, 4-2, allowing three runs in the seventh inning, erasing a 1-1 tie.
UK leads the all-time series with Marshall, 27-10, having won three consecutive meetings, dating back to 2005. In Lexington, UK owns a 21-8 all-time record against the Thundering Herd. Last season, UK found itself trailing early in Lexington. UK’s first-team All-American slugger, Sawyer Carroll, missed the start of the game due to a final, the only start missed in his two-year career. Carroll got out of his final exam and arrived in time to pinch hit in the early innings, leading UK from behind to win with a career-high five RBI game.
The Wildcats have been led offensively by its lead-off man and second baseman, sophomore Chris Bisson. Bisson has hit for a .394 average, which ranks eighth-best in the SEC. Bisson has added nine doubles – seventh best in the conference – while leading UK with 27 RBI and 27 runs scored. Catcher Marcus Nidiffer has belted a team-best five homers while driving in 20 RBI and hitting for a .365 average. Freshman outfielder Chad Wright has hit .348 with a homer, nine RBI and four steals. On the mound, Chris Rusin has led UK’s staff, posting a 4-1 record and a 3.21 ERA, striking out a staggering 55 in a league-high 42 innings of work.
Marshall (11-14, 3-3 C-USA) has been led offensively by Ben Jurevicius (.341 avg., 2 HR, 13 RBI, 6-10 SB), Victor Gomez (.311, 6 HR, 23 RBI), Josh Valle (.289, 2 HR, 13 RBI) and preseason All-Conference selection, Nate Lape (.275, 6 HR, 21 RBI, 7-9 SB). Out of the bullpen, Austin Coan (2-2, 3.12 ERA, 3 Sv), Justin Moore (0-0, 3.50 ERA), Ian Kadish (0-1, 4.05 ERA) and Tyler Gatrell (0-2, 6.75 ERA) have seen the most work. The Thundering Herd lost its C-USA series against No. 19 East Carolina last weekend, posting a win in the finale, 6-2 in Charleston, W.Va.
Records
Kentucky – 16-9, 4-5 SEC
Marshall – 11-14, 3-3 C-USA
Schedule (times Eastern and subject to change) – Lexington, Ky.
Tuesday, March 31 * 6:30 p.m.
Wednesday, April 1 * 6:00 p.m.
Radio (BBSN with Neil Price)
Tuesday: WLAP 630-AM in Lexington
Wednesday: WLAP 630-AM in Lexington
Stadium
Cliff Hagan Stadium (3,000)
Parking
Parking at Cliff Hagan Stadium is free.
UK will utilize two lots: the C8 lot behind Shively Sports Center, and the brand-new Parking Structure 7 on the corner of Complex Drive and Jerry Claiborne Way. Both parking lots are only steps away from Cliff Hagan Stadium.
Fans who park in the PS7 lot will be given a parking value card to exit the structure free of charge. Value cards should be picked up at the baseball ticket booth prior to the fifth inning.
Fans should not use the university “R” lots adjacent to the dorms or on the south side of Nutter Training Facility. These lots are patrolled by the university 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Fans that park in these lots may be ticketed or towed. Plenty of parking will be available in the C8 and PS7 lots.
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
