April 21, 2003

Lexington, Ky. –

University of Kentucky senior right handed pitcher Scott Wade has been named Southeastern Conference Pitcher of the Week for the week of April 14-20, the conference announced on Monday, April 21. The Kingsport, Tenn., native was recognized after he threw a complete game shutout to beat the Southeastern Conference Eastern Division-leading Tennessee Volunteers, 1-0, on Friday, April 18. The game marked just the second time UT has been shut out in SEC play. Wade went the distance, allowing just five hits while striking out six and not surrendering a walk, as Kentucky picked up its third conference win of the season. Wade faced just five batters over the minimum and allowed only one runner past second base in the game, as he threw his second complete game of the season and the eighth of his career. He held UT’s top three hitters to a combined 2-for-11. All five Volunteer hits were singles as UT never posed a serious threat to score. With the complete game, Wade inched closer to the all-time innings pitched record at Kentucky. He has thrown 331 2/3 innings and needs just 12 2/3 more innings to surpass Scott Smith for the record. On the season, Wade has struck out 50 batters while allowing just 16 walks. The shutout lowered his earned run average for the season by nearly a point.

The next game for UK (16-22, 4-13 SEC) is on Tuesday, April 22, as it travels to Louisville to renew its intrastate rivalry with the Louisville Cardinals (23-13, 9-8 C-USA). The Cats then return home to play host to the Georgia Bulldogs (19-20, 4-14) at Cliff Hagan Stadium. Wade is the expected starter in that series opener with UGA. Game time for Tuesday’s game is set for 6 p.m. EST from Louisville Slugger Field, while Friday’s contest will start at 7 p.m. EST.

–UK–