Road to Hoover: Cats Begin Final Push in Knoxville
LEXINGTON, Ky. – May has arrived and with it the final three weeks of the regular season as No. 11 Kentucky makes a final push in the Southeastern Conference standings with an eye on potentially hosting an NCAA Regional as well. The Cats won their third league series in the past four weekends on the strength of a five-run eighth-inning rally the last time out, including a game-winning grand slam.
Now the scene shifts a couple hours down Interstate 75 with both UK and Tennessee having plenty to play for this weekend. The Cats are bent on both securing and improving upon their standing in the SEC Tournament, while the Volunteers are scratching and clawing to earn one of the 12 berths into the event at the Hoover Met. The Cats have recent history in their favor, having won five straight over Tennessee and eight of the past nine meetings dating to 2015 but the Vols are a much improved club this season and have a pitching staff that can make life difficult on opposing lineups.
Kole Cottam is the SEC Player of the Week after his game-winning grand slam capped a week where he hit .571 with five runs, a double, grand slam, six RBI and drew four walks. Twice in the past three weeks Cottam has driven in the winning run in the eighth inning of a one-run victory.
First pitch on Friday is set for 6:30 p.m., Saturday at 6 p.m. and Sunday at 1 p.m. All three games will be streamed live on SECN+. Darren Headrick will have the radio call for the Cats on 630 AM WLAP.
#11 KENTUCKY at TENNESSEE
Friday at Tennessee
6:30 p.m. ET; Lindsey Nelson Stadium; Knoxville, Tenn.
TV/Online: SEC Network+
Radio: 630 AM WLAP Lexington; ukathletics.com
Probables: UK – RHP Sean Hjelle (6-3, 2.95) at UT – TBD
Saturday at Tennessee
6 p.m. ET; Lindsey Nelson Stadium; Knoxville, Tenn.
TV/Online: SEC Network+
Radio: 630 AM WLAP; ukathletics.com
Probables: UK – LHP Zack Thompson (2-0, 5.79) at UT – TBD
Sunday at Tennessee
1 p.m. ET; Lindsey Nelson Stadium; Knoxville, Tenn.
TV/Online: SEC Network+
Radio: 630 AM WLAP; ukathletics.com
Probables: UK – RHP Justin Lewis (7-2, 4.39) at UT – Will Neely (4-1, 3.69)
