The Kentucky baseball team looks to extend its six-game win streak this weekend when it opens its SEC schedule against five-time national champion LSU in a three-game series at Cliff Hagan Stadium.
The weekend starts with a Friday evening matchup between the Wildcats and Tigers at 6:30 p.m. The series concludes with games on Saturday at 1 p.m. and Sunday at Noon. All three games can be heard locally at WXRA 1580-AM or online at www.UKathletics.com.
Senior left-hander Aaron Tennyson (3-1, 3.45) is expected to take the mound for UK on Friday against LSU?s Clay Dirks (3-1, 1.84). Tennyson is coming off an outstanding performance against North Dakota State where he allowed the Bison four hits while striking out six in a nine-inning effort.
The Wildcats will send senior southpaw Craig Snipp (3-0, 1.24) to the mound Saturday to face right-hander Derik Olvey (4-0, 1.85). Lefty Daniel Forrer is slated to take the hill on Sunday for LSU.
During the week, Kentucky pounded Cleveland State in a two game series. The Wildcats outscored the Vikings 35-5, including a season-high 20 runs on 19 hits in Wednesday?s game. Antone DeJesus led the Cats on Wednesday with a career-high six RBIs including his first career grand slam. Kentucky is off to its second best start in the 102-year history of baseball, bested only by the 16-2 start posted by the 2000 squad in route to a 38-20-1 finish.
LSU won two games of a three game series against Stetson last weekend at Alex Box Stadium. The Tigers lead the all-time series with Kentucky 33-15, inlcuding a 2-1 series edge last season in Baton Rogue.
LSU Series Preview
Records
Kentucky ? 15-3, 0-0 SEC
North Dakota State ? 16-3, 0-0 SEC
Rankings
Kentucky ? not ranked
LSU ? No. 8 (Collegiate Baseball)
Games at Lexington, Ky. (times Eastern)
Cliff Hagan Stadium – 3,000
Friday, March 17 at 6:30 p.m.
Saturday, March 18 at 1 p.m.
Sunday, March 19 at Noon
Projected Pitching Match-Ups
Friday
LHP Aaron Tennyson, Sr. (3-1, 3.45) vs. LHP Clay Dirks, Jr. (3-1, 1.84)
Saturday
LHP Craig Snipp, Sr. (3-0, 1.24) vs. RHP Derik Olvey, Jr. (4-0, 1.85)
Sunday
LHP Andrew Albers, So. (1-0, 0.00) vs. LHP Daniel Forrer, Jr. (1-0, 4.55)
Projected UK Line-Up (Avg-HR-RBI)
C (L) Sean Coughlin (.321-5-16)
-or- (R) Justin Scutchfield (.250-0-7)
1B (R) Ryan Strieby (.384-3-24)
2B (R) John Shelby (.240-2-14)
3B (L) Michael Bertram (.373-1-10)
-or- Matt McKinney (.519-0-8)
SS (S) Ryan Wilkes (.327-0-8)
LF (R) Shaun Lehmann (.250-2-7)
CF (L) Antone DeJesus (.373-2-19)
RF (R) Collin Cowgill (.344-5-21)
DH (L) Billy Grace (.349-3-12)
-or- (R) Brian Hastings (.270-0-10)
WHY TO WATCH OUT FOR KENTUCKY
Kentucky is off to its second best start in the 102-game history of Wildcat baseball at 15-3. The only better start came in 2000 (16-2) when UK finished 38-20-1. Kentucky has won a season-best six straight and nine of its last 10. The Wildcats lead the SEC in eight offensive categories, including runs with an average of 10.3 per game. UK is in the top three in the league in 11 of 14 categories. Kentucky has seven starters batting better than .320. The lone starters not hitting at least .300 are John Shelby, a second-team preseason All-American who went .344-10-52 last season, and Shaun Lehmann, who was third-team All-SEC last year after hitting .352 with five homer and 20 doubles. UK starters have 10 quality starts (six or more innings, three or fewer runs) in 18 games and have not allowed more than five runs in any outing. By comparison, Kentucky had nine quality starts all of last season. Kentucky leads the SEC in not allowing free passes to first base. The Wildcats have walked only 27 batters in 18 games, an average of 1.5 per outing. Kentucky has led in all three of its losses this season. The Wildcats have been within one run as late as the eighth inning in all three as well.
QUICK NOTES
Kentucky scored 35 runs in its two-game series sweep over Cleveland State this week. It was the first time in 30 years UK had scored at least 15 runs in back-to-back games against the same team. It was only the second time since 1903. A big part of coach John Cohen?s offensive philosophy is drawing walks and being hit by pitches. Entering the weekend, the Wildcats lead the SEC in walks by a wide margin and are second in HBPs. That has translated into a league-best .454 on-base percentage and an astounding 10.3 runs/game. First baseman Ryan Strieby leads the team in batting at .384. He has reached base safely in all 18 games this year. With an SEC-leading 11 doubles this year, he is on pace to break the school record of 27. Strieby and third baseman Matt McKinney are each riding a team-high six-game hitting streak. McKinney has a .519 batting average in 10 games this year. Second baseman John Shelby opened the season with a slump, hitting .196 through the first 16 games of the year. However, he seems to have found his swing in the past two games, going 3-for-4 with two home runs, a double, eight RBIs and seven runs scored.
Shelby has been much more patient at the plate this year. After drawing 11 walks all of last season, he has 14 so far this year. Sophomore pitcher Greg Dombrowski has not walked a batter in 28 innings this season. Dating back to last year, he has not walked a batter in 44.2 innings. He is 4-0 with a 1.29 ERA and has worked at least seven innings in each of his starts.
Head coach John Cohen quotes
On the upcoming series with SEC power LSU?
?I do feel like we are prepared. I feel like our club is coming together at the right time. The nature of an SEC series is a bounce of the ball here and a located pitch there can make the difference. There is some luck involved, but I feel like in terms of preparation we are right where we need to be. LSU is one of the best clubs in the country but I also feel like Kentucky is one of the best clubs in the country. I really feel like we are ready to make that step forward.?
On scouting the LSU team?
?The nature of their ball club is that they have nice balance. They are going to have guys who hit it out of the ball park, they are going to have guys who can run and they are going to have guys who can defend the field. Two of the three guys they are going to throw are going to be left-handers who throw fastballs on both side of the plate. But, you know, you can say that about every club in the Southeastern Conference. The balance is so good, you?re almost preparing for the same club every weekend in this league.?
On the keys to success against the Tigers?
?We want to do the things we do best ? control the strike zone, pressure people. On the mound, we have got to throw our second pitch in the strike zone. Our change ups and breaking balls have got to be thrown in the zone for us to be successful.?
On opening SEC play with a home series?
?I think it is critical, because we haven?t done it in a long time. Going to Baton Rouge or Gainesville when it is 92 degrees at the end of the spring is exactly like being here rather early. It might be an advantage it might not. I think of it as an advantage. We are going to be playing a little bit in our element. I think that it is great for us. I am sure LSU is up for the challenge and they know what the weather is going to be like but I do feel like that we have some elements that are on our side.?
On the importance of a good start to league play?
?Last year if you look at the numbers I think the first nine games we walked like 42 hitters ? or something like that – it was ridiculous. This year we have to throw it in the strike zone. We have more maturity; our guys are one year older. I think we are going to defend it better, we have a shortstop who isn?t a freshman anymore he?s a sophomore [Ryan Wilkes], I think we are much more prepared this year then last year, from an experience standpoint.
?It is just about playing well, being in the middle of the game all the time. Because if you are constantly in the game, you know you have a chance to win the game at the end and you know your going to win your share of those. You?re looking at a league where 20-10 wins the thing and 14-16 can get you in the College World Series. We just need to be in the middle of every game to win our share of them. It is the way you go about it that enables you to do that.?
On leading the SEC in base-on-balls?
?I think that is something that is pretty important; we are always going to be in the top of the league in hit-by-pitches. You just can?t set up innings without those things happening. It is about controlling the strike zone and playing with discipline.?
