April 20, 2012

LEXINGTON, Ky. – A pair of recent Kentucky student-athlete legends will throw out first pitches at Cliff Hagan Stadium for the clash between No. 1 LSU and No. 2 UK this weekend, with former football standout Matt Roark to throw out the first pitch on Friday night and 2011-12 NCAA Champion and national player of the year Anthony Davis to throw out the first pitch on Sunday.

Roark, the senior wide receiver who filled in as the heroic playmaker at quarterback in UK’s streak-snapping win over Tennessee last year, will be on hand Friday for the 6:30 p.m. ET first pitch at Cliff Hagan Stadium to throw out the first pitch.

On Sunday, Davis – a consensus first-team All-America honoree – will throw out the ceremonial first pitch for the series finale vs. LSU, set for 1 p.m. ET at Cliff Hagan Stadium. Davis helped lead the Wildcats to its eighth NCAA Championship earlier in April, as the Wildcats posted Final Four wins over Louisville and Kansas en route to the title.

In addition to the ceremonial first pitches, fans will be able to see the 2011-12 NCAA Championship trophy during the pregame on Saturday, with gates opening at 12 p.m. ET and the trophy available to fans until first pitch at 2 p.m. ET at Cliff Hagan Stadium.

Kentucky (33-5, 11-4 SEC) sits in a tie with LSU (31-7, 11-4 SEC) atop the league standings at the midway point, entering the colossal test this weekend. UK will be looking for its sixth consecutive SEC  series win to open the year, with LSU entering the series riding a league-best seven-game winning streak.