AUBURN, Ala. — After opening up to a 19-0 start for the second consecutive year, the No. 2 Kentucky baseball team kicks off its road portion of the Southeastern Conference season, traveling to Auburn, Ala., for a three-game set with the Auburn Tigers at Plainsman Field.

Kentucky (19-0, 3-0 SEC) owns the longest winning streak in the nation and needs a win on Friday night to set the school record for the longest winning streak and best start to a season. UK opened up the SEC schedule last weekend, pounding Alabama 27-8 in a three-game sweep at Cliff Hagan Stadium. The Wildcats got homers from senior second baseman Ryan Wilkes in each game and the UK bullpen did not allow an earned run in the series.

The Wildcats have been led by several players offensively, including senior right fielder Sawyer Carroll and junior centerfielder Collin Cowgill. The two members of the Brooks Wallace National Player of the Year Watch List, have destroyed opposing pitching 19 games deep into 2008, pacing a UK offense that leads the league in 11-of-18 categories. On the mound, the Wildcats lead the league in ERA (2.02) and opponent batting average (.218) ranking third in strikeouts (171), while leading the conference in fewest walks allowed.

On Friday night, UK will send junior southpaw Chris Rusin (3-0, 2.37 ERA) to the bump to face off with Auburn?s Grant Dayton (1-1, 3.60 ERA). Saturday preseason first-team All-SEC pick Scott Green (2-0, 1.64 ERA) will take the mound to face off with Auburn freshman lefty Corey Luckie (2-2, 2.05 ERA). Sunday the all-time record holder for career winning percentage, Greg Dombrowski (4-0, 1.27 ERA), takes the hill to face off with Tiger ace Luke Greinke (2-1, 3.33 ERA).

In a mid-week game on Thursday, UK pounded Xavier behind a five home runs, including two from senior Brian Spear. The Wildcats got a superb pitching performance from right hander Clint Tilford, who worked five innings, not allowing a hit through 4 1/3 innings.

Auburn (12-8, 0-3 SEC) plays in what is considered the finest college baseball facility in the country, Plainsman Park. The Tigers return several key players from its 2007 club, including outfielder Mike Bianucci (.329 avg., 12 2B, 3 HR, 18 RBI ) and pitcher/outfielder Luke Greinke (.276, 2 HR, 8 RBI). Greinke, the 2007 Baseball America Summer Player of the Year, highlights what is an impressive team for fourth-year head man Tommy Slater.

?[Auburn head coach] Tommy [Slater] has done a great job,? Cohen said. ?Playing at their ballpark is really difficult, because it is probably the best facility in the country. You know Tommy is going to have them ready to play because he is a great coach.?

The Tigers lead the all-time series with UK 65-36, including a 16-30 mark in Auburn. The Wildcats entered the final SEC weekend a year ago with its SEC and NCAA Tournament fate in its own hands but the Tigers jumped all over UK in the first two games, claiming the series with 7-2, 10-9 opening wins. The Wildcats rebounded to salvage the series with a 21-7 win on Sunday and continue its streak of not being swept in an SEC series since 2005. Auburn has won four of the past five meetings.

Fans can catch the action live on the Big Blue Sports Network (radio), with Dick Gabriel calling the action Friday on WXRA 1580-AM in Lexington and WKJK 1080-AM in Louisville. After UK?s WNIT matchup with Middle Tennessee on Friday night, the Voice of UK Baseball, Neil Price will fly to Auburn to join Gabriel in the booth for the Saturday and Sunday games.

Records

Kentucky ? 19-0, 3-0 SEC
Auburn ? 12-8, 0-3 SEC

Rankings

Kentucky ? No. 2 (Collegiate Baseball), No. 12 (NCBWA), No. 16 (Baseball America), No. 11 (USA Today/ESPN Coaches Poll)
Auburn ? not ranked

Schedule (times Eastern and subject to change) ? Auburn, Ala.

Friday, March 21 vs. Auburn * 7 p.m.
Saturday, March 22 vs. Auburn * 5 p.m.
Saturday, March 23 vs. Auburn * 2 p.m.

Radio (BBSN with Dick Gabriel and Neil Price)

Friday:
WXRA 1580-AM in Lexington
WKJK 1080-AM in Louisville
Saturday:

WXRA 1580-AM or WLAP 630-AM in Lexington
WKJK 1080-AM in Louisville
Sunday:
WXRA 1580-AM or WLAP 630-AM in Lexington
WKJK 1080-AM in Louisville

Tentative Pitching Matchups

Friday vs. Auburn

LHP Chris Rusin (3-0, 2.37 ERA) vs. LHP Grant Dayton (1-1, 3.60)
Saturday vs. Auburn

RHP Scott Green (2-0, 1.64) vs. LHP Corey Luckie (2-2, 2.05)
Sunday vs. Auburn

RHP Greg Dombrowski (4-0, 1.27) vs. RHP Luke Greinke (2-1, 3.33)