LEXINGTON, Ky. — The Kentucky baseball team, fresh off a stellar win over state rival Louisville, returns to its grueling Southeastern Conference schedule, as it plays host to the Georgia Bulldogs in a three-game set beginning on Friday at Cliff Hagan Stadium.
Kentucky (28-12-1, 7-10-1 SEC) overwhelmed the Cardinals in a mid-week showdown on Wednesday, taking the second game of the home-and-home series, 9-4. The Wildcats jumped all over the Cardinals, exploding for 13 hits, including a three RBI day from senior catcher Sean Coughlin.
Georgia (16-26, 6-12 SEC) enters the weekend after winning a tough mid-week game against a solid Western Carolina club, 12-7. The Bulldogs have struggled through its brutal non-conference and SEC schedule, currently ranking in last place in the league. UGA has gotten solid pitching performances from its staff, including Stephen Dodson. Dodson, a sophomore right hander, leads the staff with a 1.74 ERA and a 4-4 record. Preseason All-American Joshua Fields, a dynamic right-handed closer, has struggled thus far into the season, tallying a 1-6 record and a 5.10 ERA. The junior has notched four saves this season, with none coming in conference play.
Coughlin, the SEC leader in RBI with 58, has paced a potent UK lineup that ranks among the top in the SEC. The Morrison, Colo., native?s 58 RBI are three ahead of 2006 SEC Player of the Year Ryan Strieby?s 41-game pace. Strieby set the school record with 77 RBI in 2006.
On Friday, Chris Rusin will take the mound for Kentucky. Rusin has notched a 4-2 record, 4.50 ERA and leads the team in strikeouts with 59 in 60 innings pitched. Georgia will counter with Stephen Dodson, who holds a 1.74 ERA. On Saturday, Georgia will send Nathan Moreau to the mound, to face off with Kentucky?s Andrew Albers, who has won a team-high five games. Sunday preseason All-American Greg Dombrowski gets the nod to square off with UGA freshman Dean Weaver.
Kentucky trails the all time series with Georgia, 81-115-1. UK lost the series to Georgia last season 1-2 but clenched the 2006 SEC Championship with a win over Georgia on Saturday. Senior Craig Snipp carried the Wildcats to the win in the clincher, pitching a complete game striking out a career-high 11. Georgia eliminated Kentucky from the SEC tournament with a 16-10 win, in the second round.
Fans in Lexington can catch live action all weekend on WLAP 630-AM, with the voice of UK Baseball, Neil Price. First pitch on Friday and Saturday is slated for 6:30 p.m. EDT and Sunday at 1:00 p.m.
Team Records
Kentucky (28-12-1, 7-10-1 SEC) vs. Georgia (16-26, 6-12 SEC)
Date/Time
Friday, April 27 * 6:30 p.m. EDT
Saturday, April 28 * 6:30 p.m. EDT
Sunday, April 29 * 1:00 p.m. EDT
Stadium
Cliff Hagan (3,000)
Radio (Big Blue Sports Network with Neil Price)
Friday: WLAP 630-AM
Saturday: WLAP 630-AM
Sunday: WLAP 630-AM
Video
Extreme Access on UKathletics.com
Tickets
Single-Game Admission
Adults: $5
Children: $2
Seniors: $2
Season Tickets
General Admission: $25
Series Record
Georgia leads the all-time series between the two schools, 81-115-1? Kentucky dropped the series last year 1-2, and lost to Georgia in the second round of the SEC Tournament.
Pitching Matchups
Friday UK: Chris Rusin (So., LHP) 4-2, 4.50 ERA, 60 IP, 58 H, 34 R, 30 ER, 23 BB, 59 SO
UGA: Stephen Dodson (So., LHP) 4-4, 1.74 ERA, 57 IP, 41 H, 23 R, 11 ER, 13 BB, 39 SO
Saturday UK: Andrew Albers (Jr., LHP) 5-2, 4.70 ERA, 51.2 IP, 65 H, 32 R, 27 ER, 12 BB, 40 SO
UGA: Nathan Moreau (So., LHP) 2-2, 5.55 ERA, 48.2 IP, 50 H, 32 R, 30 ER, 18 BB, 33 SO
Sunday
UK: Greg Dombrowski (Jr., RHP) 4-1, 4.50 ERA, 52 IP, 72 H, 31 R, 26 ER, 5 BB, 36 SO UGA: Dean Weaver (Fr., RHP) 1-2, 6.31 ERA, 25.2 IP, 35 H, 21 R, 18 ER, 7 BB, 24 SO
