May 8, 2003

Lexington, Ky. –

The Kentucky baseball team returns to Southeastern Conference play with a series against Vanderbilt at Cliff Hagan Stadium, this weekend, Friday, May 9 through Sunday, May 11. The Wildcats, fresh off a 9-5 victory over intrastate rival Louisville, will look to snap a four-game losing streak inside the conference. UK was swept last weekend at South Carolina.

This will be the final home weekend this season for Kentucky (20-28, 6-17 SEC) and the final one for its Head Coach, Keith Madison, who announced that this will be his last year as the Wildcat skipper. The University will pay tribute to Madison on Saturday afternoon. The five seniors on this year’s squad, Caleb Brock, Brad Pickrell, Russ Rutherford, Gordon Tyler and Scott Wade will be honored in ‘Senior Day’ festivities on Sunday.

UK leads the all-time series with Vanderbilt, 126-116-5. The Commodores took two-of-three from the Cats last season in Nashville. The Cats will send senior Scott Wade (2-6) to the mound on Friday night where he will be opposed by Vandy sophomore Jeremy Sowers (5-4), a Louisville native. First pitch is set for 6 p.m. EST on Friday. Saturday’s matchup will feature Kentucky’s Heath Castle (5-4) against Robert Ransom (3-2). Seth Stanley (5-6) and Ryan Mullins (3-7) will face-off in the weekend wrapup. Saturday and Sunday’s contests will both start at 2 p.m. EST, with pre-game activities beginning at approximately 1:40 p.m. EST.

–UK–