March 5, 2012

TUSCON, Ariz. — Off to a 11-0 start and owning the best record in college baseball, the Kentucky baseball team has moved into the weekly rankings, as Collegiate Baseball has tabbed the Wildcats No. 23 in the latest top-30 poll, released on Monday afternoon.

Kentucky (11-0) is off to the fourth-best start in the over 100-year history of the program, owning the top record in college baseball as one of only two undefeated teams remaining in the nation (Gonzaga, 10-0). The Wildcats have opened up 11-0 for the first time since starting a school-record 19-0 during the 2007 and 2008 seasons, with the 2000 UK team opening up 15-0 under head coach Keith Madison.

The Wildcats have been paced by a balanced approach, leading the Southeastern Conference in batting average (.343), on-base percentage (.442) and fielding percentage (.983), ranking fifth in team ERA (2.64).

UK has opened up the season outscoring its opponents 99-30, with the UK offense ranking No. 11 in the NCAA in runs per game (9.0), No. 16 in runs allowed per game (2.7) and No. 6 in scoring margin (+6.3).

Last week, the Wildcats posted five wins, including a series sweep over Illinois-Chicago. UK has opened up the season with wins at Wofford and USC Upstate and a neutral-site win over Eastern Michigan. UK’s eight-game home winning streak includes wins over UIC, Buffalo, Morehead State and Xavier.

Kentucky returns to action with pair of midweek tilts, hosting Tennessee Tech on Tuesday at 4 p.m. ET and Marshall on Wednesday at 4 p.m. ET at Cliff Hagan Stadium.

1. Florida
2. South Carolina
3. Stanford
4. Rice
5. Texas A&M
6. North Carolina
7. Arkansas
8. Florida St.
9. Oregon
10. Georgia Tech.
11. Louisiana St.
12. Cal. St. Fullerton
13. Arizona St.
14. Miami, Fla.
15. Georgia
16. Louisville
17. Oklahoma
18. Arizona
19. Stetson
20. Clemson
21. Maryland
22. Mississippi
23. Kentucky
24. Gonzaga
25. California
26. Texas Tech.
27. UCLA
28. Oregon St.
29. Purdue
30. Central Florida