Feb. 21, 2002

The University of Kentucky baseball team will travel to Texas to play two games apiece against No. 20 Texas A&M, Pepperdine and Washington State in the Continental Express Aggie Classic in College Station, Texas this weekend. The Wildcats (2-1) will face host Texas A&M (7-1) in their opening game of the four-day tournament at A&M’s C.E. “Pat” Olsen Field on Friday, Feb. 22 at 7 p.m. ET.

“This weekend will be a major challenge for our ball club,” Coach Keith Madison said. “Texas A&M has already played eight games and whenever you play a nationally-ranked team on the road, it’s especially challenging. A&M has a great venue for baseball and they have some of the best fans in the country.”

UK is 0-2 in the series against Texas A&M, dropping two games in the 1989 Aggie Invitational. The Aggies, currently ranked as high as No. 20 by Collegiate Baseball, are riding the crest of a five-game win streak into weekend play, led by USA Junior National Team member Travis Wong. The A&M first baseman is batting a team-high .533 (16-for-30) with three home runs and nine RBIs in eight games.

Tyler Junior College (Tyler, Texas) transfer Caleb Stewart leads the Cats in eight offensive categories through three games. The sophomore right fielder batted .462 and pounded three home runs, including a round-tripper in his first plate appearance as a Wildcat, last weekend in the Birmingham Challenge Tournament. On the mound, junior right-handers Joseph Blanton and Scott Wade had impressive outings last weekend. Blanton threw six complete innings and gave up one run while fanning five in a 9-1 win over Samford on Friday, Feb. 15. Wade answered Blanton’s performance on Saturday, Feb. 16, tossing six scoreless innings and earning the 5-4 win over 2001 NAIA National Champion Birmingham-Southern.

“It’s going to be a great experience for our team to play in a great stadium against three outstanding programs,” Madison said. “We’re ready to get to Texas and our team is looking forward to the challenge.”

Continental Express Aggie Baseball Classic - College Station, TexasFriday, Feb. 22     UK vs. No. 20 Texas A&M     7 p.m. ETSaturday, Feb. 23   UK vs. Pepperdine           10 a.m ETSaturday, Feb. 23   UK vs. Washington State     1 p.m. ETSunday, Feb. 24     UK vs. Pepperdine           1 p.m. ETMonday, Feb. 25     UK vs. Washington State     10 a.m. ETMonday, Feb. 25     UK vs. No. 20 Texas A&M      8 p.m. ET