April 13, 1998

Kentucky (15-22) will battle Western Kentucky (18-18) Tuesday at 6 p.m. at Cliff Hagan Stadium on the UK campus.

UK heads into the game riding a two-game win streak. The Wildcats took two of three from Southeastern Conference foe Mississippi State last weekend in Starkville, Miss. It was UK’s first SEC series win this season. Senior David Cheatle continues to lead the Wildcats in hitting with a .388 mark, including 13 doubles and 20 RBIs. Junior catcher Josh Loggins is hitting .374 with eight home runs and a team-leading 38 RBIs. Sophomore Ben Shaffar, a Leitchfield native, will take the mound for the Wildcats in his first start of the season. Ryan Hutchinson (0-1) will oppose Shaffar for the Hilltoppers.

UK received solid pitching against Mississippi State, something that has been lacking with an inexperienced staff. Senior Matt Borne opened the series on Friday in impressive fashion, striking out a career-high 13 in seven innings of work. Freshman Brandon Webb followed Borne on Saturday and allowed seven hits and two runs in 6.1 innings. The gem of the staff was sophomore Josh Paxton, who picked up a save and a win against the Bulldogs. Paxton allowed only one hit in seven innings of relief, striking out eight. The Wildcats are still in the hunt for a spot in the SEC Tournament at the Hoover Met in Birmingham, Ala. Tennessee and Georgia are tied in the third place with UK lurking two games behind. The top three teams in each division advance to the tournament along with two wildcards.