LEXINGTON, Ky. — Fresh off back-to-back series victories over top-25 foes, the No. 16 Kentucky Wildcats seek to improve upon a 22-1 non-conference record in 2008, hosting the Marshall Thundering Herd on Wednesday, with first pitch at Cliff Hagan Stadium slated or 6:30 p.m. ET.
Kentucky (33-11, 11-10 Southeastern Conference) has not lost a home non-conference game in 378 days, a setback to Morehead State on April 18, 2007 at Cliff Hagan Stadium. UK is 24-2 at home in 2008, with losses to Mississippi State ? in the first game of a doubleheader ? and a setback to then-ranked No. 24 Florida. UK?s lone non-conference loss came last week, in front of a record crowd at Louisville.
The game can be heard live on the Big Blue Sports Network (radio), with the Voice of UK Baseball, Neil Price calling the action. Fans in Lexington can hear the game live on WLAP 630-AM and in Louisville on WKJK 1080-AM.
Last weekend, UK got a series win at No. 10 Vanderbilt, handing the Commodores just its second home SEC series loss in the past three years, with the last series defeat at Charles Hawkins Field coming at the hands of the Wildcats in 2006.
UK leads the SEC in several offensive categories, including batting average (.325), runs scored (362), slugging (.528), on-base percentage (.423), RBI (326), hit by pitches (70), sac flies (29) and sac bunts (55). The Wildcats also lead the conference in ERA (3.42), while ranking second in fielding percentage (.976).
The Wildcats have been lead at the plate by two National Player of the Year award candidates, Sawyer Carroll and Collin Cowgill. Carroll, a 6-foot-4, 215-pound senior right-fielder, ranks as the league leader in average (.433) and RBI (58), ranking second in on-base percentage (.520), fourth in slugging (.762), third in hits (71), third in total bases (125), ninth in doubles (14), and eighth in home runs (12). Cowgill, UK?s junior centerfielder, ranks sixth in average (.385), third in slugging (.776), fourth in on-base percentage (.514), second in runs scored (62), seventh in hits (62), fifth in RBI (47), third in home runs (16), third in total bases (125), third in walks (36) and fifth in stolen bases (17). Cowgill, the 2007 preseason Baseball America selection as the best outfield arm in the SEC, has added six outfield assists, two triples and 11 doubles.
Senior Ryan Wilkes ranks 11th in the SEC in average (.358), leading the conference in sacrifice flies (6). Freshman shortstop Chris Wade ranks second in the league in sac bunts (15), fourth in sac flies (5), sixth in doubles (15), and 11th in RBI (41). Sophomore Keenan Wiley ranks 10th in the league in average (.358) and seventh in hits (62). Wilkes ranks as the only everyday second baseman in the SEC to not commit a fielding error, fielding 1.000 in 185 chances, turning 30 double plays.
Marshall (22-22-1, 9-8-1 C-USA) enters the game as one of the hottest teams in C-USA, winners in eight of its past 10 games. On the season, Marshall has posted several impressive wins, including a three-game sweep of Central Florida, a team previously ranked in the top-25 in 2008. Marshall also has a win at offensive powerhouse Western Carolina, as well as a three-game sweep at tradition power VMI and a twin-bill sweep at Eastern Kentucky.
Freshman right-hander Ian Kadish will get the starting nod against the Wildcats. Kadish has worked in 18 games with three starts, earning a 1-1 record and a 3.95 ERA, notching one save. In 27 1/3 innings, Kadish has allowed 28 hits, 15 runs, walking nine and striking out 13.
The Thundering Herd has been lead at the plate by current C-USA Player of the Week Victor Gomez (.370, 6 2B, 3 3B, 8 HR, 30 RBI) and Nate Lape (.390, 14 2B, 13 HR, 46 RB, 15-17 SB). Adam Yeager (.322, 6 2B, 4 3B, 2 HR, 15 RBI, 30-35 SB), Kurt Lipton (.318), 15 2B, 2 2B, HR, 34 RBI), Tommy Johnson (.312, 11 2B, 3B, 7 HR, 38 RBI) and Josh Valley (.311, 5 2B, 3 HR, 29 RBI) lead a Herd offensive attach that hits for a .306 average. Gomez, a freshman, went 11-for-21 during the week with two doubles, two homers and eight RBI ? highlighted by a grand slam.
Kentucky leads the all-time series with Marshall, 26-10, with the last meeting coming in 2006 a 7-6 Wildcat win in Lexington. UK has won four consecutive meetings in the series, with the last defeat coming in 1998.
Records
Kentucky ? 33-11, 11-10 SEC
Marshall ? 22-22-1, 9-8-1 C-USA
Rankings
Kentucky ? No. 16 (NCBWA), No. 19 (Collegiate Baseball), No. 18 (Baseball America), No. 21 (USA Today/ESPN Coaches Poll), No. 24 (Rivals.com)
Schedule (times Eastern and subject to change) ? Lexington, Ky.
Wednesday, April 30 * 6:30 p.m.
Radio (BBSN with Neil Price)
Wednesday, April 30 * 6:30 p.m.
Lexington: WLAP 630-AM
Louisville: WKJK 1080-AM
Tentative Pitching Matchups
Wednesday vs. Marshall
TBA vs. RHP Ian Kadish (Fr., 1-1, 3.95 ERA)
Stadium
Cliff Hagan Stadium (3,000)
Promotions
Website Wednesday
Visit UKathletics.com before the game to print off a special admission coupon.
Inflatable Games
Arrive early and play on our inflatable games, down the third-base line.
Parking
Parking at Cliff Hagan Stadium is free.
We will utilize two lots: the C8 lot behind Shively Sports Center, and brand-new Parking Structure 7 on the corner of Complex Drive and Jerry Claiborne Way. Both parking lots are only steps away from Cliff Hagan Stadium.
Fans who park in the PS7 lot will be given a parking value card to exit the structure free of charge. Value cards should be picked up at the baseball ticket booth prior to the 5th inning.
Fans should not use the university ?R? lots adjacent to the dorms or on the south side of Nutter Training Facility. These lots are patrolled by the university 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Fans that park in these lots may be ticketed or towed. Plenty of parking will be available in the C8 and PS7 lots.
Tickets
SINGLE GAME TICKET PRICES
$5 – General Admission Seating – Adults
$2 – General Admission Seating – Kids/Seniors
SEASON TICKET PRICES
$35 General Admission
