LEXINGTON, Ky. — Fresh off a 20-hit performance in a win over in-state rival Morehead State, the Kentucky baseball team will host Eastern Michigan in the 2011 home opener on Wednesday, with first pitch slated for a 4 p.m. ET at Cliff Hagan Stadium.
The game will be broadcast 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 WGVN 1580-AM and online at UKathletics.com.
Kentucky (1-3) posted a 12-3 win over the Eagles on Tuesday, with its offense exploding for 12 runs, using 20 hits, five walks, four hit batters, three stolen bases and forcing three defensive errors. The Wildcats got three hits from each Thomas McCarthy, Matt Reida and Chad Wright. Wright belted a two-run homer in the eighth inning, part of a team-high three-RBI outing. Reida’s three hits came as his first career hits. McCarthy, UK’s third baseman, totaled two doubles and an RBI, also getting plunked by a pitch. Junior Braden Kapteyn added a 2-for-4, two-RBI game, reaching base safely in five of six appearances at the plate.
The Wildcats got a splendid pitching performance on Tuesday from sophomore right-handed reliever Walter Wijas, who tossed 3.2 shutout innings in relief of freshman starter Jonathan Paquet. Wijas picked up the win, striking out three. UK also used senior Nick Kennedy and southpaw Alex Phillips in relief.
The Wildcats will start freshman southpaw Corey Littrell in his first career collegiate start on Wednesday. A native of Louisville, Ky., Littrell made his first career outing on Friday in UK’s loss at No. 20 College of Charleston. In his first two innings of work in relief of starter Jordan Cooper, Littrell was highly effective, including striking out the side in his second frame. Eastern Michigan is turning to sophomore right-hander Joe Battistelli (0-0, 27.00). Battistelli pitched one inning at Clemson, allowing three hits and three runs, with one walk.
Eastern Michigan (1-2) is coming off a season-opening weekend at No. 4 Clemson, with EMU posting an impressive win on the road. In the season-opener last Friday, Clemson posted a 14-3 win, before EMU won 7-6 to even the series on Saturday. In the rubber match, Clemson edged EMU 5-1.
Offensively EMU has been led by Zack Leonard (6-for-13) with a homer and two RBI. Daniel Russell owns a .455 average (5-for-11) with two doubles and a triple. Rob Wendzicki, a two-way player, had a .333 average (3-for-9) with a homer and three RBI.
Records
Kentucky – 1-3, 0-0 SEC
Eastern Michigan – 1-2, 0-0 MAC
Schedule (times Eastern and subject to change) — Lexington, Ky.
Wednesday, Feb. 23 * vs. Eastern Michigan * 4 p.m.
Radio (BBSN with Neil Price)
Wednesday: WGVN 1580-AM in Lexington
Internet Coverage
Live video, audio and stats on UKathletics.com
Tentative Pitching Matchups
Wednesday vs. Eastern Michigan
Fr., LHP Corey Littrell vs. So., RHP Joe Batistelli
Stadium
Cliff Hagan Stadium (3,000)
Parking
Parking at Cliff Hagan Stadium is free.
UK 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
