LEXINGTON, Ky. — The No. 11 Kentucky baseball team returns to Southeastern Conference action on Friday at 6:30 p.m. EDT as it plays host to border-rival Tennessee in a three-game set. The series marks the first home SEC series for UK since opening league play with Arkansas at Cliff Hagan Stadium.
The Wildcats (24-4-1, 4-4-1, SEC) are coming off a series defeat at the hands of Mississippi State in Starkville last weekend. The Bulldogs took the rubber match between the two clubs on getaway day, courtesy of a two-out, ninth inning walk-off single. Kentucky had defeated MSU 10-6 on Saturday to force the rubber game, after blowing a four-run lead in the seventh inning in Friday?s contest.
Kentucky has been paced by several offensive standouts, including seniors Mike Brown and Sean Coughlin. Brown leads the club in batting average, reaching at a .459 clip. The Davis, Calif. native, also ranks first on the team in on-base percentage (.577) and leads the SEC in runs scored (42). Coughlin, a backstop from Morrison, Colo., is tied for the NCAA lead in RBI, driving in 48.
Tennessee (18-12, 4-5 SEC) will present a significant challenge to the Wildcats, as the Volunteers enters the weekend with a sweep at the hands of No. 7 Arkansas fresh in its mind. The Volunteers, who began the season ranked No. 11, have been battling injury problems throughout the season, as preseason All-American outfielder Julio Borbon has seen action in only 11 of 30 games and several other starters have missed significant games.
The weekend will feature several marquee pitching matchups, as UK runs out sophomore lefty Chris Rusin (3-1, 4.54 ERA) to the hill to face off with UT?s acclaimed southpaw James Adkins (3-4, 2.93 ERA) on Friday evening. Adkins, considered one of the best lefties in the SEC, has struck out 65 batters in 61 1/3 innings. On Saturday, Kentucky?s undefeated junior lefty Andrew Albers (5-0, 3.03 ERA) takes the bump to square off with Tennessee?s senior righty Craig Cobb (5-2, 4.50 ERA). Sunday, Kentucky will run out preseason All-American Greg Dombrowski to the mound. Tennessee has yet to name a starter for get-away day.
Fans in Lexington can catch the action all weekend on WLAP 630-AM with Neil Price on the call. On Saturday, the contest will be televised by Fox Sports Network South, with Dave Neal and Larry Conley broadcasting the action. First pitch on Saturday is set for 4 p.m. EDT and the Sunday contest will begin at 1 p.m.
TEAM RECORDS
No. 11 Kentucky (24-4-1, 4-4-1 SEC) vs. Tennessee (18-12, 4-5 SEC)
DATES/TIMES
Friday, April 6, 2007 * 6:30 p.m. EDT
Saturday, April 7, 2007 * 4 p.m. EDT
Sunday, April 8, 2007 * 1 p.m. EDT
STADIUM
Cliff Hagan Stadium (3,000)
KENTUCKY IN THE NATIONAL RANKINGS
No. 11 by Collegiate Baseball
No. 20 by USA Today/ESPN Coaches Poll
No. 20 by National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association
No. 24 by Baseball America
RADIO (BIG BLUE SPORTS NETWORK WITH NEIL PRICE)
Friday: WLAP 630-AM
Saturday: WLAP 630-AM
Sunday: WLAP 630-AM
TELEVISION/VIDEO
Friday-Sunday: Live video from Extreme Access on UKathletics.com
Saturday: FSN South with Dave Neal and Larry Conley
SERIES RECORD
Tennessee leads series, 152-129 ? UK won series last year at Tennessee, 2-1
GAME PROMOTIONS
Kids Weekend
Inflatable games setup down the left field line one hour prior to first pitch at each game (weather permitting).
Special kid promotions all weekend long ? sign up at the marketing gazebo under the grandstand.
Win a UK Wheaties Box!
Scratch will be in attendance Friday.
The Wildcat will be in attendance Saturday.
Kids in attendance on Sunday will receive a plastic egg with candy.
After Sunday?s game, get an autograph from your favorite Wildcat players during a postgame autograph session.
PITCHING MATCHUPS
Friday
UK: So. LHP Chris Rusin (3-1, 4.54 ERA, 39.2 IP, 16 BB, 41 SO)
UT: Jr. LHP James Adkins (3-4, 2.93 ERA, 61.1 IP, 19 BB, 65 SO)
Saturday
UK: Jr. LHP Andrew Albers (5-0, 3.03 ERA, 38.2, 8 BB, 26 SO)
UT: Sr. RHP Craig Cobb (5-2, 4.50 ERA, 66 IP, 8 BB, 41 SO)
Sunday
UK: Jr. RHP Greg Dombrowski (3-1, 4.42 ERA, 38.2 IP, 4 BB, 30 SO)
UT: TBA
