LEXINGTON, Ky. — The No. 17 Kentucky baseball team prepares to defend the nations longest home regular season winning streak, as it plays host to the Tennessee-Martin Skyhawks in a three-game set, beginning Friday at 4 p.m. EST at Cliff Hagan Stadium.
Kentucky (13-0) is off to the second-best start in the 103-year history of the Wildcat baseball program, demolishing its early season opponents to the tune of a 152-42 scoring margin. Kentucky set the school record for runs scored in 2006, plating 500 runs.
UK has been paced by several hot bats, including senior Mike Brown (.485 avg.) and junior infielders Brian Spear (.413) and Sawyer Carroll (.370). Sean Coughlin (.345) has also terrorized opposing pitchers, driving in 16 runs in his last six games.
On Wednesday, the Wildcats throttled Cincinnati 21-7 behind four home runs and nine walks. Dewayne Oxford notched the win to improve to 2-0, tossing the final seven innings of the game in relief of starter Andrew Albers.
The Wildcats have won 23 consecutive regular season home contests at Cliff Hagan Stadium, the longest such streak in the nation.
Taking the hill for the Wildcats on Friday will be sophomore southpaw Chris Rusin. Rusin has started each of UK?s first three Saturday contests, accumulating a 2-0 record in 16.2 innings pitched. Rusin has struck out a team-high tying 18 batters. Getting the starting nod for the Skyhawks is senior right-hander Adam Ledlow.
On Saturday, Kentucky will trot out freshman Duran Ferguson. The right-hander has started two mid-week contests this season and has performed brilliantly, accumulating a 0.82 ERA in 11 innings of action. Ferguson is tied with Rusin for the team lead with 18 strikeouts on the season.
Sunday, Kentucky preseason All-American Greg Dombrowski will take the hill. Dombrowski has tossed 17.2 innings and notched a 2.04 ERA while racking up a 2-0 record.
Fans in Lexington can catch the action live on WXRA 1580-AM with Neil Price calling the action, or online via the official home for UK Athletics, ukathletics.com.
Coaches Clinic Set for Saturday
Saturday?s contest will feature a special coaches clinic before the game, from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the Nutter Field House. The Wildcat coaching staff will work with coaches on baseball skills, drills, and motivational techniques.
Following the coaches clinic, the Wildcats take on Tennessee Martin at 1:00 pm. All coaches who attend the clinic will receive a voucher for free admission to the game for themselves and a guest.
The clinic is free of charge and registration will begin at 8:00 a.m.
Please direct any questions to Miles Noland (miles.noland@uky.edu; 859-257-6495) in the baseball offices.
