LEXINGTON ? The Kentucky baseball team opens the 2005 season on Friday at 11 a.m. when it faces Appalachian State in the Buccaneer Classic at Charleston Southern.
The Wildcats have been practicing full speed since the final weekend of January and have been on the practice field for more than 100 days, including fall and individual workouts, since school began in August.
?Our kids are really excited — with all the drill work and all the intra-squad games — about playing outside competition,? said Kentucky head coach John Cohen. ?I think we?re ready. It?s like any other sport, where you?re not ready to play your best until you get to the meat of your schedule. But we?re at a good starting point. I feel like our preparation has been outstanding. It?s been as good a preseason as I?ve ever been a part of. The staff has done a great job.?
The game marks the beginning of Cohen?s second season at the helm for the Wildcats. In his first year, Kentucky posted a 24-30 record. Only 12 players return from that squad, but Cohen and his staff hauled in one of the nation?s top 25 recruiting classes and they expect them to contribute right away.
?There?s a good chance we?ll have two freshmen start in the outfield with a sophomore. Potentially, we could pitch five or six different freshmen this weekend,? Cohen said. ?It?s an issue with us, but the amount of energy and enthusiasm and passion the young guys have is going to help them clear some hurdles. We?re excited about seeing them play.?
The Wildcats are expected to send freshman Andrew Albers, a North Battlefield, Saskatchewan, native, to the mound Friday. The Mountaineers will counter with junior Scott Clark, who posted a 5-8 mark with a 6.95 earned-run average in 2004.
Kentucky faces tournament host Charleston Southern, which stands at 1-2 after facing Florida a week ago, on Saturday before closing out the weekend against defending Colonial Athletic Association champion George Mason.
?This is a great opening weekend for us,? Cohen said. ?George Mason had the greatest year in the history of their program last year and they have 18 guys back. Appalachian State has a new coaching staff and will be a lot better than they?ve been in the past. Charleston Southern beat Florida last week, so even though people might not recognize these names, it?s very good competition early.?
Last season, Kentucky beat Ball State to open the season and are looking to win back-to-back season openers for the first time since 1990-91. The Wildcats are 51-41-3 all time in season openers.
