April 23, 2002
The University of Kentucky baseball team will look to snap an eight-game losing skid when it travels to No. 29 Louisville in a 6 p.m. game at Louisville Slugger Field on Wednesday, April 24. The Wildcats (14-25) own a 52-28-1 series lead over the Cardinals (25-10) since first meeting in 1925 and won last season’s contest, 10-6, on April 10 at Cliff Hagan Stadium.
“Obviously this is a very big game for us,” Coach Keith Madison said. “We’ve had some tough losses lately and we need to get back to winning. Louisville is a very good ball club and this game always has a little more emphasis on it for the teams as well as the fans on each side with the rivalry that our two schools share. Slugger Field is a beautiful venue for baseball and we’re looking forward to the challenge.”
Georgia swept Kentucky over the weekend as the Bulldogs came from behind in each game to win three one-run contests over the Wildcats at Foley Field. It was the first series won by UGA over UK in Athens since 1994 and the first sweep since 1992. Sophomore infielder Spencer Graeter returned to everyday defensive duties this weekend against the Bulldogs. The Louisville, Ky. native, is batting a team-high .417 (25-for-60), representing the third highest average currently in conference play, with six doubles and 10 RBIs in 18 SEC games. For the season, Greater leads UK in batting average (.339), on-base percentage (.427), runs (26) and doubles (11).
Louisville is riding the crest of a six-game winning streak into Wednesday’s “Battle in the Bluegrass” and appeared in the national rankings for the first time since 1999 at No. 29 by Collegiate Baseball in its poll released on April 22. Posting a 13-5 Conference USA mark, the Cardinals are currently locked in a first-place tie with No. 10 Houston. Sophomore outfielder Mark Jurich leads U of L in every offensive category, hitting .442 with 31 runs, 53 hits, 10 doubles, five triples, 10 home runs, and 37 RBIs.
Freshman left-hander Craig Snipp will return home to make his seventh start for Wildcats. The former Pleasure Ridge Park prep star has recorded a 3-3 record with a 5.97 ERA in 37.2 innings this season. Louisville will challenge with senior right-hander Josh Ring (4-2, 4.45 ERA).
The 82nd meeting of UK and U of L can be heard live on WLXO 96.1 FM in the Lexington, Ky. area with Drew Deener on the call. Wednesday’s broadcast and in-game scoring can be accessed at UKAthletics.com.
– UK –
