Feb. 10, 2009
LEXINGTON, Ky. — The 19th-ranked Kentucky baseball team will play a total of eight games on television for the 2009 season – highlighted by five games broadcast on the Big Blue Sports Network (BBSN), UK head coach Gary Henderson announced on Tuesday.
UK will play a total of five games on BBSN, all in the friendly confines of Cliff Hagan Stadium. The Wildcats will face the 2008 Southeastern Conference Champion and College World Series Runner-Up Georgia, April 10-12, with BBSN televising the April 11-12 contests. First pitch for Saturday, April 11 is slated for 7:00 p.m. ET, with the Sunday, April 12 game scheduled for its initial starting time, 1:00 p.m.
In UK’s final SEC home series of the year, against Auburn (May 8-10) and new head coach John Pawlowski, BBSN will televise the Saturday (May 9; 7:00 p.m.) and Sunday (May 10; 1:00 p.m.) ball games. On Tuesday, May 12 in Kentucky’s home finale against Morehead State, BBSN will air the rivalry tilt, scheduled for a 6:00 p.m. first pitch.
On Saturday, May 2, UK will face Tennessee at 4:00 p.m. in Lexington, a game that will serve as the SEC Game of the Week, broadcast on FSN. In UK’s final weekend of the season, at Florida, Sun Sports will pick up the Thursday, May 14 (6:30 p.m.) and Saturday May 16 (1:00 p.m.) contests.
Kentucky opens its season Feb. 20 in the Caravelle Resort Tournament in Myrtle Beach, S.C., hosted by 2008 regional host Coastal Carolina, tabbed No. 23 in the preseason. UK will face Troy in the season opener, slated for 1:00 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 20.
Tickets Available for the Heart of the Order Luncheon – Feb. 16: Noon
For the fourth consecutive year, the Kentucky baseball program will hold its annual Heart of the Order Luncheon to kick off preseason festivities, scheduled for Feb. 16 from noon-1 p.m. ET at the Lexington Downtown Hotel and Conference Center.
The Heart of the Order Luncheon is an opportunity for fans to meet and greet the UK staff, including head coach Gary Henderson. In addition to the lunch, fans will be treated to a sneak peek at the 2009 Wildcats, with a breakdown from the coaching staff. Also included will be a recap of the 2008 season that saw UK win a school-record 44 games, make an appearance in the NCAA Regional Championship game and rewrite the UK record books. In addition, fans will be treated to a rundown of former Wildcats currently playing professional baseball.
The cost for the luncheon is $30 per person and fans can RSVP with Jeremy Sheetinger in the UK baseball offices by Feb. 11, at 859.257.6495 or jeremy.sheetinger@uky.edu.
Season and Single-Game Tickets On Sale Now
After a season that saw the Kentucky baseball program shatter every attendance record for Cliff Hagan Stadium and set four opposing team attendance records during in-state rivalry games, season tickets are still available for the 2009 baseball season.
Season ticket sales have surpassed the 1,000 mark for the third consecutive year. The UK Ticket Office is currently accepting orders for season tickets, with reserved and general admission seating still available. Season tickets start at just $35 each and fans may order season tickets by calling the UK Ticket Office at (859) 257-1818, ordering online at UKathletics.com, or printing an application and mailing it to the ticket office. Single-game tickets are also on sale now for all home baseball games.
In 2008, UK set school records for season, single game and three-game series attendance. On the road in 2008, UK helped four in-state schools (including Cincinnati) set their respective school single-game attendance mark, including Murray State, Louisville, Cincinnati and Western Kentucky. Those four road non-conference games, combined with the UK-Louisville game in Lexington – a 7-6, 12-inning UK win – added up to a total of 13,528 fans attending five in-state rivalry baseball games in 2008. UK finished the season ranked a school-record No. 25 in attendance.
The UK ticket office is currently accepting season-ticket and single-game requests, with reserved and general admission seating still available. To order season baseball tickets, visit UKathletics.com or call the UK Ticket Office at (859) 257-1818.
2009 SEASON TICKET PRICES:
$55 – Reserved Seating
$35 – General Admission
2009 SINGLE GAME TICKET PRICES:
$5 – General Admission – Adults
$2 – General Admission – Kids/Seniors
