Baseball Opens 2016 Home Schedule on Wednesday
LEXINGTON, Ky. — After a six-game road swing to open the year, the Kentucky baseball team will open its home schedule with the first of a season-long 10-game homestand on Wednesday, welcoming Austin Peay for a 4 p.m. ET first pitch at Cliff Hagan Stadium.
The game will be broadcast live on SEC Network + and will be available through the UK Radio Network, locally on 1580-AM and online at UKathletics.com.
Last weekend, Kentucky opened its 2016 season with six consecutive games away from Lexington, including two wins on opening weekend in Spartanburg, S.C., before traveling to the Tony Gwynn Classic. UK fell in the opener to eventual champion UC Santa Barbara, before winning at San Diego State on Saturday and then falling in the finale to preseason Northeast Conference favorite Bryant on Sunday.
On Friday, UK fell behind due to big innings in an 11-4 loss to UC Santa Barbara. The Wildcats then bounced back behind a strong starting pitching performance from senior Dustin Beggs on Saturday. Beggs, named the Gwynn Classic Most Outstanding Pitcher, worked eight-shutout, two-hit innings, striking out 10. UK got a three-run homer from Riley Mahan to power the win. Sunday, Bryant plated seven runs in the first five innings for a six-run lead, with UK’s late-inning rallies thwarted by key inning-ending double plays in the seventh and eighth.
Kentucky has hit .302/.375/.547 through six games in 2016, with 13 doubles, three triples, 11 homers and 41 runs scored, stealing four bases. On the mound, UK has a 4.15 ERA as a team, striking out 54 and walking 17 in 52 innings.
Individually, preseason All-America third baseman JaVon Shelby has led the team with a .458 (11-for-24) clip, with five doubles, two homers and four RBI. Mahan has a .450 (9-for-20) average with two doubles, two triples, one homer and four RBI. Second baseman Luke Becker has hit. 368 (7-for-19) with a double and two RBI, and outfielder Zach Reks sports a .316 (6-for-19) average with two RBI. Evan White has hit .286 with three doubles and four RBI, with Tristan Pompey leading the team with three homers and eight RBI, batting .286 with a double and triple.
On the mound, UK has used the weekend rotation of junior Zack Brown (0-2, 9.00 ERA) on Friday, senior righty Dustin Beggs (2-0, 0.64 ERA) on Saturday and senior righty Kyle Cody (1-1, 2.61 ERA) on Sunday. In relief, Zach Logue (0-0, 0.00 ERA), Sean Hjelle (0-0, 0.00 ERA), Zach Strecker (0-0, 1.69 ERA), Josh Smith (0-0, 9.00 ERA), Logan Salow (0-0, 10.12 ERA) and Brad Scaenzer (0-0, 27.00 ERA) have each appeared in two games.
Austin Peay (4-3) has hit .321/.389/.554 as a team through seven games, with 22 doubles, five triples, eight homers and 55 runs scored, stealing eight bases. Defensively, Austin Peay has allowed seven steals, fielded .969 and turned three double plays. On the mound, Austin Peay has a 6.57 ERA as a team working in 63 innings, allowing 71 hits and 24 walks, striking out 58 and holding opponents to a .278 average.
Individually, Dre Gleason leads the Gov’s offense, hitting .538 (14-for-26) with four doubles, two homers and 15 RBI. In relief, Brett Newberg (0-0, 0.00 ERA) has appeared in four games, along with Jordan Harmon (0-0, 15.00 ERA).
Kentucky leads the all-time series with Austin Peay, 11-2, winning the last five meetings, most recently a 6-3 win in 2013 in Lexington. UK leads the series in Lexington, 9-1.
Records
Kentucky: 3-3
Austin Peay: 4-3
Schedule (times Eastern and subject to change) — Lexington, Ky.
Wednesday, March 2 * vs. Austin Peay * 4 p.m.
Television (SEC Network+)
SEC Network+ and WatchESPN
Radio (UK Radio Network)
Wednesday: Fox Sports 630-AM in Lexington
Internet Coverage
Live audio and stats on UKathletics.com
Tentative Pitching Matchup
Wednesday vs. Austin Peay
TBD vs. TBD
Stadium
Cliff Hagan Stadium (3,000)
Parking
Free gameday parking is available in the C-8 lot beyond rightfield and behind homeplate, or in the E lot adjacent to Cliff Hagan Stadium. The C-8 lot will be filled on a first come, first served basis. Once C-8 is filled, vehicles will be directed to park in the E lot next to Cliff Hagan Stadium. After the E lot is full, a limited amount of parking will be available in Parking Structure No. 7 on the ground floor. If you’re parking in PS#7, please exchange your ticket for a pink payment voucher at the ticket booth, prior to the end of the fourth inning. Additionally, overflow parking will be available in the smaller E lots close to Cooper Dr., as well as the C-6 lot at Commonwealth Stadium. All fans are asked to please follow the signage provided to the nearest parking location.
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
