April 20, 2015
LEXINGTON, Ky. — Coming off a three-game sweep of Tennessee over the weekend, Kentucky will step out of non-conference action to host Xavier on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. at Cliff Hagan Stadium.
The game will be broadcast live on the UK Radio Network, with fans in Central Kentucky able to hear the game live on WLAP 630-AM and online at UKathletics.com.
Kentucky (22-16, 8-9 Southeastern Conference) posted a historic sweep over rival Tennessee over the weekend, marking the first three-game sweep in Lexington in program history and UK’s first sweep of UT since 2008. UK had last swept an SEC series during its 2012 school-record season. UK had a 1.00 ERA in 27 innings during the weekend, allowing only three earned runs and a .204 opponent average.
In the series opener on Thursday, UK got a dominating performance from sophomore righty Zack Brown, who carried a shutout into the eighth inning of a 5-0 win, with Logan Salow finishing off the contest. On Friday, UK got another strong start from Dustin Beggs, who tossed eight innings of one-run baseball, fanning a career-high eight as the Wildcats posted a 3-1 lead. UK clinched the series sweep with 4.2 innings from starter Andrew Nelson, who didn’t allow an earned run, and back-to-back homers in the fifth inning from Ka’ai Tom and JaVon Shelby. UK used Zach Logue to pick up the win with 2.2 shutout frames in relief, a day after earning his first career save in the clincher. In midweek action, UK was twice a strike away from clinching a win over Western Kentucky, before a two-run, two-strike blast tied the game and the Toppers won it in the 10th inning.
The Wildcats have hit .300 as a team in 2015, with a .406 slugging and a .386 on-base percentage, scoring 222 runs in 38 games, stealing 42 bases and belting 19 bombs. On the mound, UK has a 4.33 ERA in 340.2 innings, allowing 117 walks and 341 hits, striking out 269.
At the plate, UK has been led by junior outfielder Ka’ai Tom, who has hit .377 with 12 doubles, one triple, three homers and 42 RBI, stealing 13-of-13 bases. Centerfielder Kyle Barrett owns a .370 mark with 10 doubles, two triples, one homer and 19 RBI, stealing seven bases. Sophomore second baseman JaVon Shelby has a .345 average with eight doubles, one triple, five homers and 30 RBI. Outfielder Dorian Hairston has a .333 average with five doubles, two homers and 12 RBI, with first baseman Evan White charting a .327 average with eight doubles, one triple, one homer and 19 RBI. Third baseman Thomas Bernal has a .283 average with six doubles, one homer and 22 RBI, with catcher Zach Arnold owning a .279 mark with nine RBI. Infielder Riley Mahan has hit .247 with a homer and eight RBI, with outfielder Marcus Carson sporting a .242 mark with five RBI and five steals. Outfielder Storm Wilson has hit .237 with a homer and 13 RBI, stealing six bases. Shortstop Connor Heady has a .229 average with one homer and nine RBI with catcher Greg Fettes belting three homers and driving in 13 runs.
UK used the weekend rotation of sophomore righty Zack Brown (3-4, 3.13 ERA), junior right-hander Dustin Beggs (5-2, 2.78 ERA) and senior righty Andrew Nelson (2-2, 3.32 ERA) last weekend. In relief, UK junior right-hander Zach Strecker (2-0, 3.32 ERA) leads the team with 16 appearances, with Spencer Jack (1-1, 4.61 ERA) and Logan Salow (1-1, 8.04 ERA) each appearing in 15 games. Dylan Dwyer (2-0, 2.33 ERA) has appeared in 11 games, with Brad Schaenzer (0-0, 3.38 ERA) appearing in 10 games in relief.
UK ranks fourth in the SEC with a .300 average, ranking sixth in slugging (.406) and fifth in on-base percentage (.386).
Records
Kentucky: 22-6
Xavier: 10-29
Schedule (times Eastern and subject to change) — Lexington, Ky.
Tuesday, April 21 * vs. Xavier * 6:30 p.m.
Radio (UK Radio Network with Neil Price)
Tuesday: WLAP 630-AM in Central Kentucky, UKathletics.com
Internet Coverage
Live audio and stats on UKathletics.com
Tentative Pitching Matchups
Tuesday vs. Xavier
TBA vs. TBA
Stadium
Cliff Hagan Stadium (3,000)
Parking
Free gameday parking is available in the C-8 lot beyond rightfield or in the E lot adjacent to Cliff Hagan Stadium. The C-8 lot will be filled on a first come, first served basis. Once C-8 is filled, vehicles will be directed to park in the E lot next to Cliff Hagan Stadium. After the E lot is full, a limited amount of parking will be available in Parking Structure No. 7 on the ground floor. If you’re parking in PS#7, please exchange your ticket for a pink payment voucher at the ticket booth, prior to the end of the fourth inning. Additionally, overflow parking will be available in the smaller E lots close to Cooper Dr., as well as the C-6 lot at Commonwealth Stadium. All fans are asked to please follow the signage provided to the nearest parking location.
Tickets
SINGLE GAME TICKET PRICES
$5 – General Admission Seating – Adults
$2 – General Admission Seating – Kids/Seniors
