Kentucky Baseball Set For Final Non-Conference Weekend
LEXINGTON, Ky. – The Kentucky baseball team opens its final weekend of non-conference play on Friday, hosting a Georgia State team that has played arguably the nation’s most difficult schedule to date.
The Wildcats (8-2) twice rallied from deficits to knock off Western Kentucky on Tuesday night at Kentucky Proud Park, the seventh consecutive victory over the Hilltoppers and 12th straight midweek win. Senior right-handed pitcher Sean Harney earned his fourth save, which ties him for the national lead, while junior first baseman/designated hitter Trae Harmon twice put the Cats ahead, including the game-winner in the seventh inning.
The task at hand this weekend will be critical as head coach Nick Mingione’s club looks toward Southeastern Conference play in a week’s time. Georgia State is just 4-10 on the season but all 14 contests have come against ranked teams, including Tuesday night’s defeat at preseason No. 1 Florida. The Panthers also played a four-game series at No. 2 Vanderbilt, winning the opener, split a season-opening four-game series at No. 14 West Virginia and knocked off No. 10 Georgia Tech.
“I told our coaching staff it’s the best non-conference schedule I’ve ever seen in my life,” Mingione said of Georgia State’s gauntlet. “It’s the best. It’s unbelievable. When you talk about a team coming in that’s been there and done that and seen that, that’s them. There isn’t much they haven’t seen. They’ll be hungry for wins, there’s no doubt.”
The Cats intend to stick with the same weekend rotation of sophomore right-hander Cole Stupp, senior left-hander Mason Hazelwood and sophomore righty Zack Lee, who all three pitched well each of the first two weekends. The staff is expected to finally have its full arsenal after navigating the school’s health and safety protocols at the outset of the season.
Friday’s first pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m. ET, with Saturday and Sunday each set for 1 p.m. starts. All three games are set to stream on SEC Network+ and the UK Sports Network (radio).
SERIES DETAILS
Friday, March 12 vs. Georgia State
4 p.m. ET; Kentucky Proud Park (Lexington, Ky.)
TV: SEC Network+; Radio: UK Sports Network (98.5 FM Lexington)
Tickets: UKathletics.com
Saturday, March 13 vs. Georgia State
1 p.m. ET; Kentucky Proud Park (Lexington, Ky.)
TV: SEC Network+; Radio: UK Sports Network (98.5 FM Lexington)
Tickets: UKathletics.com
Sunday, March 14 vs. Georgia State
1 p.m. ET; Kentucky Proud Park (Lexington, Ky.)
TV: SEC Network+; Radio: UK Sports Network (98.5 FM Lexington)
Tickets: UKathletics.com
