No. 16 Kentucky Faces Third Straight Ranked SEC Opponent in No. 22 Vanderbilt
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Game Notes (PDF)
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Winners of 19 of the past 22 games, Kentucky returns to Cliff Hagan Stadium for a fifth three-game weekend series against a ranked foe in the first seven weeks of the season as No. 22 Vanderbilt makes the three-hour trip to Lexington. It will wrap up the Wildcats’ seven-game homestand before hitting the road for seven of the next eight games, including a Tuesday night showdown at rival Louisville.
UK’s impressive week last week left the Cats tied for first in the SEC and securing their position in the Top 25 polls. The Cats entered the Baseball America poll at No. 16, matching where they are ranked in D1 Baseball’s poll. Senior left-handed closer Logan Salow earned SEC Pitcher of the Week honors after recording three saves in as many outings and pushing his consecutive batters retired stretch to 24. Junior Preseason All-American Evan White also returned to the lineup after missing eight games with an injury.
The Wildcats’ offense has been humming along and ranks among the nation’s best, while the Commodores have found their stride recently, scoring 66 runs in their past seven games. Last season, the pitching dominated in Nashville with Vandy taking two of three games by a combined score of 6-5.
Vanderbilt is led by Preseason First Team All-SEC outfielder Jeren Kendall, the reigning SEC Player of the Week and Preseason First Team All-SEC starting pitcher Kyle Wright. Starters Patrick Raby and Drake Fellows each have an earned run average under 2.00 as well.
WEEKEND PITCHING ROTATION
Friday:
UK – Sean Hjelle (So., RHP): 6 starts, 3-2, 5.20 ERA
VANDERBILT – Patrick Raby (So. RHP): 6 starts, 4-2, 1.40 ERA
Saturday:
UK – Zach Logue (Jr., LHP): 6 starts, 4-1, 2.45 ERA
VANDERBILT – Kyle Wright (Jr., RHP): 6 starts, 1-3, 4.50 ERA
Sunday:
UK – Justin Lewis (So., RHP): 6 starts, 4-1, 2.72 ERA
VANDERBILT – Drake Fellows (Fr., RHP): 5 starts, 3-0, 1.72 ERA
GAME PROMOTIONS/GIVEAWAYS
Friday – 90s night, Friday Night Fireworks, $1 hot dogs (until third inning)
Saturday – UK bow tie giveaway, Kids Run the Bases (after the game)
Sunday – Collector Poster #2 of 5, Wildcat Autographs (after the game)
SERIES DETAILS
Date/Time: Fri., March 31 (6:30 p.m.); Sat., Apr. 1 (2 p.m.); Sun., Apr. 2 (1 p.m.)
Location (Facility): Lexington, Ky. (Cliff Hagan Stadium)
Series History: Kentucky leads 145-143-2
Radio: 630 AM-WLAP Lexington (Neil Price); ukathletics.com
TV/Online: SECN+ (Dick Gabriel and Doug Flynn)
