April 20, 2009
LEXINGTON, Ky. — Winners of three of its last four games and fresh off a series win at Mississippi State during Super Bulldog Weekend, the Kentucky baseball team breaks from its road swing with a pair of mid-week games, hosting Lipscomb and Evansville Tuesday and Wednesday, with both games slated to begin at 6:30 p.m. ET at Cliff Hagan Stadium.
Kentucky (21-17) notched its first Southeastern Conference series win in Starkville since the 1998 season, posting wins Friday night in 11 innings and a 22-17 slugfest win Sunday to secure the series. UK has been led offensively by its sophomore second baseman, Chris Bisson, who ranks second in the SEC with a .401 average, leading the team in runs (36), hits (63), doubles (9), RBI (41) and steals (10-for-12).
Freshmen have played a major role in the UK offense, with Chad Wright (.350, 5 2B, 3B, 2 HR, 12 RBI, 5-7 SB), Andy Burns (.278, 6 2B, 3B, 5 HR, 23 RBI), Braden Kapteyn (.300, 7 2B, HR, 13 RBI) and Cory Farris (.263, 8 RBI) seeing significant time in the UK lineup. Veterans Chris Wade (.292, 7 2B, 3B, 4 HR, 32 RBI, 10-11 SB), Marcus Nidiffer (.291, 4 2B, 3B, 5 HR, 23 RBI), Keenan Wiley (.263, 2 HR, 12 RBI, 8-9 SB) and Spencer Korus (.348, 2 HR, 13 RBI) have helped steady the Wildcats offensively. In the bullpen, Logan Darnell (4-3, 4.85 ERA), Tyler Henry (0-3, 4.97 ERA) and Braden Kapteyn (3-0, 6.17 ERA) have each made over 10 appearances in relief.
During the last week, Bisson and Wright had prolific games, with each batting a staggering .550 (11-for-20) on the week, with Wright scoring 11 runs and Bisson totaling a team-high 13 RBI. During the 22-run output for UK in the decisive game Sunday, Wright and Burns each scored five or more runs, with Wright plating five times and Burns touching home six times. Burns six runs were the most in the SEC in 2009 and the most in school history, since school single-game records have been kept, dating back to the 2002 season. Wright was named SEC Freshman of the Week Monday, the first conference weekly honor of his career.
UK trails the all-time series with Lipscomb, 5-1, with its last meeting coming in the first meeting of the series, a 6-4 win in 1971. The two team’s last meet in 2003 in Lexington, a 9-7 Lipscomb win. The Wildcats also trail the series with Evansville, 8-6, winning four of the last five. UK won the last meeting, a 15-1 win in Lexington in 2008.
The game can be heard live on the Big Blue Sports Network (radio), with the Voice of UK Baseball, Neil Price, calling the action. In Lexington, fans can hear the game on WLAP 630-AM.
Records
Kentucky – 21-17
Lipscomb – 15-24
Evansville – 18-19
Schedule (times Eastern and subject to change) – Lexington, Ky.
Tuesday, April 21 * 6:30 p.m.
Wednesday, April 22 * 6:30 p.m.
Stadium
Cliff Hagan Stadium (3,000)
Promotions
Tuesday vs. Lipscomb
Big Blue Baseball Bash – $1 hot dogs and hamburgers for UK students with valid ID.
First Pitch – UK Band; Student Government President Tyler Montell
Wednesday vs. Evansville
Blue/White Games
First Pitch – UK Football Head Coach Rich Brooks
Game Sponsor – Bank of the Bluegrass
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 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
