Lexington, (Ky.) ? The Kentucky baseball team will open the Southeastern Conference portion of its schedule this weekend as the Wildcats travel to Auburn, Ala., to take on the No. 7/10 Auburn Tigers. The series opens at 7:30 p.m. (ET) on Friday, followed by a 4 p.m. Saturday game and Sunday?s series wrap up at 1:15 p.m.

Kentucky is 11-14 in SEC openers since 1979. Last season, the Cats dropped a 3-2 decision in 10 innings at Ole Miss to start league play. This year, the Cats stand at 12-5 on the season and have won four of their last five games. Through 17 games, UK has scored 166 runs, 100 more than the 66 it had scored at this same point in the 2003 season.

Auburn leads the all-time series between the two schools, 59-30. The Tigers swept a three-game series from the Wildcats last season at Cliff Hagan Stadium.

Kentucky will send sophomore Kalen Gibson (1-0) to the mound for Friday night?s series opener. Gibson will be opposed by Auburn junior Arnold Hughey (4-0). Senior Seth Stanley (4-0) will take the ball on Saturday for Kentucky. The Tigers will answer with freshman Mike Felix (2-0). Sophomore Craig Snipp (1-2) will toe the rubber for the Cats in Sunday?s finale. Auburn has not named a starter for Sunday.

All the action of this weekend?s series can be heard on 96.1 FM in Lexington. Chris Cross will call the play-by-play. Friday?s broadcast will be on a delayed basis, with Saturday and Sunday?s games will be on live. Live stats can be followed at www.ukathletics.com.

— UK —