Tristan Pompey Named SEC Freshman of the Week

LEXINGTON, Ky. — After collecting five hits, three homers and six RBI in his first two collegiate games, Kentucky leftfielder Tristan Pompey has been named Southeastern Conference Freshman of the Week, it was announced by the league office on Monday afternoon.

A 6-foot-4, 205-pound switch-hitting outfielder out of Toronto, Pompey belted a trio of homers – including bombs from each side of the plate. He became the first UK player with homers from both sides since Ryan Wilkes in 2008. In a Sunday win, Pompey finished a single shy of the cycle with two homers, a double, triple and four RBI, scoring three runs.

Pompey, a member of the Canadian Junior National Team, leads the SEC with his three homers and 1.700 slugging percentage. Along with JaVon Shelby on Sunday, Pompey is the first player with two homers in a game since AJ Reed in 2014. He also went back-to-back with senior Dorian Hairston, the first since Reed in 2014.

Kentucky (2-1) will return to action on Friday in the opener of the Tony Gwynn Classic, which will feature a pair of Gwynn’s former teammates at San Diego State coaching in the field, UK’s Gary Henderson and San Diego’s Rich Hill. UK will open the field with UC Santa Barbara on Friday at 5 p.m. ET at Tony Gwynn Stadium.

UK MOVES TO NO. 22 IN BASEBALL AMERICA POLL
The Wildcats have moved up to No. 22, from No. 25, in the weekly Baseball America rankings after a pair of wins on opening weekend.