Cats Wade Into SEC East Play for First Time
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Fresh off a mid-week win over rival Louisville, No. 9 Kentucky steps back into Southeastern Conference play looking to get back into the league race when South Carolina comes to town. The Wildcats scored their 20th victory of the season vs. the Cardinals, overcoming some defensive miscues and getting a scoreless effort from the bullpen.
The Cats have won back-to-back regular season series over the Gamecocks, including the first in Columbia since 1999 when taking two of three last April. The teams then split a pair of meetings in the SEC Tournament, with the Gamecocks eliminating the Cats on the strength of a late home run.
With LHP Zack Thompson still out the Cats have settled into a weekend rotation of Sean Hjelle, Zach Haake and Justin Lewis. All three pitched well last weekend at Alabama and continue to put the team in position to win. This weekend they will be asked to navigate a forecast of cold weather, with temperatures expected to be in the upper 40s as a cold front covers most of the country.
Friday night’s opener (6:30 p.m.) will be streamed on SECN+, with Saturday (6 p.m.) set to air on the SEC Network and Sunday (2 p.m.) on ESPNU. Darren Headrick will be on the radio call at 630 AM WLAP. Mike Morgan and Chris Burke will call the Saturday and Sunday games for ESPN.
SOUTH CAROLINA vs. #9 KENTUCKY
Friday vs. South Carolina
6:30 p.m. ET; Cliff Hagan Stadium; Lexington, Ky.
TV/Online: SECN+
Radio: 630 AM WLAP; ukathletics.com
Probables: UK – RHP Sean Hjelle (4-2, 3.32) vs. S. Carolina – RHP Adam Hill (3-2, 3.58)
Saturday vs. South Carolina
6 p.m. ET; Cliff Hagan Stadium; Lexington, Ky.
TV: SEC Network
Radio: 630 AM WLAP; ukathletics.com
Probables: UK – RHP Zach Haake (1-1, 4.12) vs. S. Carolina – RHP Cody Morris (5-2, 4.46)
Sunday vs. South Carolina
2 p.m. ET; 6:30 p.m. ET; Cliff Hagan Stadium; Lexington, Ky.
TV: ESPNU
Radio: 630 AM WLAP; ukathletics.com
Probables: UK – RHP Justin Lewis (5-2, 5.49) vs. S. Carolina – RHP Ridge Chapman (1-3, 4.21)
