June 3, 1998
Kentucky head coach Keith Madison knew heading into the 1998 season that his team would experience its share of ups and downs due to a relatively young pitching staff. The success wasn’t going to happen overnight because the staff needed time to develop and gain confidence. It also didn’t help that the Wildcats played its first nine games on the road. When the season was completed, UK had a 26-31 record and a SEC Tournament appearance. UK opened the season by winning the College Sports Classic in Phoenix, Ariz. In its only two games, the Wildcats edged New Mexico State and nationally ranked Oklahoma State. Before playing its home opener on March 3, the Wildcats traveled to Coastal Carolina, Southern Mississippi and Long Beach State.
In what has become a trademark of Madison’s teams through the years, UK rode a hot streak to conclude the regular season. After its first 12 games in the Southeastern Conference, UK sat in last place in the SEC East with a 2-10 mark. The tide suddenly turned as the Wildcats overcame their midseason slump to win four of its last five SEC series, finishing third in the SEC East and earning a berth in the postseason tournament. UK began the streak at Mississippi State by winning two of three and it continued the following week at Georgia. Nationally ranked Arkansas headed to Lexington on April 24 and the Wildcats clawed back to win the final two games of the series. It was the first time since 1993 that the Wildcats had won three consecutive conference series. UK headed into the final weekend of the regular season needing two wins over No. 4 South Carolina at home to clinch a berth in the SEC Tournament. The Wildcats accomplished the feat by winning the first two games of the series thanks to extra-inning homers by Josh Loggins and Aaron McGlone. UK traveled to the SEC Tournament in Birmingham with thoughts of playing the spoiler in its opening round game against No. 3 Florida. UK took a 4-1 lead into the seventh inning against the Gators thanks to a three-run homer by senior Jason Colemire. Florida eventually took the lead for good in the seventh inning with four runs en route to a 6-4 victory. UK returned the following day and put a scare into Alabama by getting ahead 3-1 after four innings before losing 8-3 in the elimination game. Junior C/RF Josh Loggins led the Wildcats in eight offensive categories, including batting average (.384), hits (93) and RBIs (63). Loggins tied with Colemire for the team lead in home runs with 15 apiece. UK etched its name in the record books by slapping 148 doubles, 14 more than the previous school record.
