April 9, 2009
UK Game Notes | UGA Game Notes | SEC Game Notes
LEXINGTON, Ky. — For the third consecutive weekend and for the fourth time in the last five series, the Kentucky Wildcats square off with a ranked Southeastern Conference foe, hosting No. 3 Georgia in a three-game set, beginning Friday at 6:30 p.m. ET at Cliff Hagan Stadium. Game times Saturday is slated for 7 p.m. ET and 1 p.m. ET Sunday.
Kentucky (18-13, 4-8 SEC) has faced a ranked SEC team to open conference play in four of the first five series. Last weekend, No. 15 Ole Miss handed UK its first series sweep of the season and Wednesday, Sun Belt power Western Kentucky posted a come-from-behind 10-9 win over UK, using a run-scoring balk in the eighth inning to propel the Hilltoppers to victory.
Saturday and Sunday’s game will marked UK’s first televised games of the season, as the Big Blue Sports Network, with Dick Gabriel (play-by-play), Doug Flynn (color) and Ryan Lemond (sideline), will broadcast the game. The games can be found on Fox Sports South (Insight-Lexington channel 52) throughout the southeast. Also, the Voice of UK Baseball, Neil Price, will call the action live on the Big Blue Sports Network (radio). Fans in Lexington can hear the action live on WLAP 630-AM and in Louisville on WKJK 1080-AM.
The Wildcats have been led offensively by its lead-off man and sophomore second baseman, Chris Bisson. The Orleans, Ontario, native has led UK in average (.369), hits (45), runs (32), doubles (9) and RBI (28) throughout the season, adding 6-of-8 stolen bases. Marcus Nidiffer (.315, 5 HR, 21 RBI), Chris Wade (.288, 4 HR, 26 RBI, 8-9 SB), Spencer Korus (.381, 2 HR, 12 RBI) and Chris McClendon (.300, HR, 3 RBI) have provided UK some veteran presence. Freshmen have played a major role offensively for UK, with Braden Kapteyn (.309, 7 2B, HR, 13 RBI), Chad Wright (.303, 3 2B, HR, 9 RBI), Andy Burns (.256, 4 2B, 3B, 3 HR, 19 RBI) and Cory Farris (.273, 8 RBI) seeing extensive time in the lineup. In the bullpen, Tyler Henry (0-3, 4.88 ERA), Logan Darnell (3-2, 3.51 ERA) Clint Tilford (1-2, 4.66 ERA) and Kapteyn (1-0, 6.75 ERA) have each made 10 or more appearances.
UK will start freshman right-hander Alex Meyer (1-1, 4.04 ERA) Friday, facing off with Georgia ace Trevor Holder (5-2, 3.48 ERA). Saturday, 2008 first-team All-SEC starting pitcher Chris Rusin (4-2, 3.83 ERA) will start against Georgia lefty Alex McRee (3-0, 2.08 ERA). Sunday, lefty James Paxton (4-2, 6.08 ERA) will take the hill opposite UGA sophomore righty Justin Grimm (2-1, 4.58 ERA).
Georgia (26-6, 8-4 SEC) has been led by an explosive .325 team batting average that features a staggering 60 home runs and a dominating 3.59 team ERA. Offensively, first baseman Rich Poythress(.431, 9 2B, 14 HR, 56 RBI) Colby May (.381, 9 2B, 9 HR, 34 RBI), Bryce Kassanari (.366, 10 HR, 35 RBI), Joey Lewis (.358, 15 2B, 10 HR, 34 RBI) and Johnathan Taylor (.349, 9 RBI, 17-21 SB) have been fixtures in the lineup. The 2008 College World Series runner-up, Georgia’s bullpen has been anchored by Dean Weaver, who has totaled a team-high five saves and a 0.87 ERA, striking out 17 in 20.2 innings.
The Bulldogs lead the all-time series with UK, 119-83-1, having won three consecutive meetings and four of the last five. UK won the last series in Lexington, claiming wins Friday and Sunday in the series at Cliff Hagan Stadium. Overall, Georgia has won 13 of the last 16 meetings, dating back to 2003.
Records
Kentucky – 18-13, 4-8 SEC
Georgia – 26-6, 8-4 SEC
Rankings
Kentucky – not ranked
Georgia – No. 3 (USA Today/ESPN Coaches), No. 3, (NCBWA), No. 5 (Collegiate Baseball), No. 8 (Baseball America)
Schedule (times Eastern and subject to change) – Lexington, Ky.
Friday, April 10 * 6:30 p.m.
Saturday, April 11 * 7:00 p.m.
Sunday, April 12 * 1:00 p.m.
Live Television (BBSN with Dick Gabriel, Doug Flynn and Ryan Lemond)
Saturday: Fox Sports South (Insight-Lexington channel 52); C-WKYT (Insight-Lexington channel 5)
Sunday: Fox Sports South (Insight-Lexington channel 52); C-WKYT (Insight-Lexington channel 5)
Radio (BBSN with Neil Price)
Friday: WLAP 630-AM in Lexington; WKJK 1080-AM in Louisville
Saturday: WLAP 630-AM in Lexington; WKJK 1080-AM in Louisville
Sunday: WLAP 630-AM in Lexington; WKJK 1080-AM in Louisville
Stadium
Cliff Hagan Stadium (3,000)
Promotions
Friday
Game Sponsor – UK Healthcare, Free t-shirts to first 100 fans at the UK HC Table
Youth Teams – Cynthiana Lions and Lincoln County Phillies
Ceremonial First Pitches: Dr. Antonio Bosch, Emily Cox and former football star Dicky Lyons, Jr.
Saturday
Game Sponsor – UK Healthcare
Ceremonial First Pitch – UK Rifle Head Coach Harry Mullins
Sunday
Ceremonial First Pitch – UK Football’s Head Coach of Offense Joker Phillips
Game Sponsor – UK Healthcare
Baseball Ice Cream Sundaes
Postgame Autographs
Parking
Parking at Cliff Hagan Stadium is free.
UK will utilize two lots: the C8 lot behind Shively Sports Center, and the 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 fifth 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, seven 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
$55 Reserved Seating
