May 6, 1999
LEXINGTON, Ky. – The Kentucky Wildcats’ baseball team (21-26, 11-13 SEC) will play host to No. 12 Auburn Tigers (36-13, 13-11 SEC) on Friday, May 7, in the final 1999 regular season SEC series to be played at Cliff Hagan Stadium. The game is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m.
Friday’s game will mark the 80th meeting between the schools with Auburn holding a 28-52 advantage. Kentucky coach Keith Madison is 13-18 against the Tigers. Auburn took two out of three games last season against the Wildcats in Auburn, Ala.
Kentucky comes into the weekend after sweeping the South Carolina Gamecocks in Columbia, S.C., and enduring a heartbreaking 3-2 loss to the Cincinnati Bearcats in 17 innings on Wed., May 5. The Wildcats have won three consecutive SEC series and four of their last five. They are currently one game out of first place in the Eastern Division, and only one game out of the SEC Tournament. The top eight teams in the SEC will compete in Birmingham, Ala., on May 19-23 for the conference championship.
Sophomore John Wilson continues to cause nightmares for pitchers. The Northridge, Calif., native belted his league-leading 20th home run on Wednesday against the Bearcats and is currently batting .355 on the season. Junior Aaron McGlone has been just as hot, belting three home runs last week, including a game-winning blast on Saturday, May 1, to give the Wildcats the win over the Gamecocks.
UK’s pitching has gotten stronger as the season has progressed. Juniors Nathan Kent and Ben Shaffar are tied for the team lead with 90 strikeouts on the season. The bullpen’s depth was evident on Wednesday as seven pitchers were used and only three runs were given up in the 17 innings played.
The second game of the series will begin at 2 p.m. on Saturday. Sunday’s game will serve as Senior Day, honoring pitcher Jason Chaney and third baseman Nate Linder in pre-game festivities. The game is scheduled to begin at 12 p.m.
Auburn at Kentucky
May 7-9, 1999
Where: Cliff Hagan Stadium
Game Times: Friday, 6 p.m.; Saturday, 2 p.m.; Sunday, 12 p.m.
TV/Radio: Tiger Radio Network (all three games)
The Series: Auburn leads 28-52
Last Meeting: Auburn took two out of three games last year in Auburn, Ala.
Kentucky Wildcats (21-26, 11-13 SEC)
Probable Lineup:2B Andy Green (.261, 0 HR, 17 RBI)CF Beau Moore (.285, 7 HR, 25 RBI)1B Aaron McGlone (.339, 15 HR, 47 RBI)C John Wilson (.355, 20 HR, 47 RBI)DH Robert Newton (.378, 4 HR, 17 RBI)SS Vince Harrison (.278, 4 HR, 20 RBI)RF Breck Price (.309, 9 HR, 26 RBI)3B Will Crumbaugh (.284, 3 HR, 13 RBI)LF Taylor McInnis (.236, 0 HR, 6 RBI)
Starting Pitchers:Friday: Nathan Kent (Jr., RHP, 4-5, 4.90 ERA)Saturday: Ben Shaffar (Jr., RHP, 5-4, 5.58 ERA)Sunday: Brandon Webb (So., RHP, 3-5, 5.68 ERA)Rankings: NoneCoach: Keith Madison (633-506-4 in 21 years at UK)
Auburn Tigers (36-13, 13-11 SEC)
Probable Lineup:CF Mailon Kent (.369, 1 HR, 35 RBI)2B Dominic Rich (.325, 1 HR, 38 RBI)C Casey Dunn (.380, 12 HR, 66 RBI)3B Jamie Kersh (.366, 9 HR, 47 RBI)LF Gabe Gross (.373, 5 HR, 52 RBI)SS Chad Wandall (.321, 2 HR, 41 RBI)RF Hayden Gliemmo (.354, 1 HR, 31 RBI)1B Todd Faulkner (.306, 4 HR, 40 RBI)DH Derek Reif (.302, 0 HR, 20 RBI) Starting Pitchers:Friday: Brent Schoening (Jr., RHP, 10-0, 2.94 ERA)Saturday: Chris Bootcheck (So., RHP, 7-5, 5.61 ERA)Sunday: TBARankings: BBW: #12; CB: #22; BA: #17Coach: Hal Baird (583-302 in 14 years at Auburn)
Game Notes:
* John Wilson is leading the SEC with 20 home runs
* Sunday is Senior Day. Jason Chaney and Nate Linder will be honored in pre-game festivities.
