Out of the Gate: Kentucky Baseball Hosts Murray State Racers

LEXINGTON, Ky. – The Kentucky baseball team returns to play on Tuesday in its final outing before Southeastern Conference play opens this weekend, hosting Murray State at Kentucky Proud Park.
 
First pitch is scheduled for a 4 p.m. ET first pitch and will be streamed live on the SEC Network+/Watch ESPN platforms. The UK Sports Network will broadcast the game via radio on 98.5 FM Lexington and on UKAthletics.com, with Darren Headrick on the call.
 
The Wildcats (11-2) swept through a weekend series over Georgia State and have won four consecutive games overall during their hot start. Senior T.J. Collett homered in all three wins vs. the Panthers and provided the game-winning hit in two of the three games. UK outscored Georgia State 26-4 and dominated a team that had played 14 games against ranked teams with wins over Vanderbilt, Georgia Tech and West Virginia.
 
Most impressive was the work the Cats did on the mound, striking out 38 batters against just five walks. Senior left-hander Mason Hazelwood struck out a career-high 12 batters in just six innings on Saturday as part of a game that saw the Cats punch out 19 total batters, the most in a nine-inning game since at least the 2005 season. Senior righty Sean Harney picked up his fifth save, which leads the country, in Sunday’s finale.
 
The pitching staff ranks fourth nationally in ERA (1.99), third in WHIP, fourth in strikeout-to-walk ratio and fourth in fewest walks allowed per nine innings. The Cats pace the SEC in each of those categories.
 
Freshman right-hander Ryan Hagenow is expected to draw his fourth start of the season. He is 1-0 with a 1.54 ERA in 11.2 innings, allowing just eight hits, three walks and striking out 15 thus far.
 
 
AT THE BALLPARK
Tuesday, March 16 vs. Murray State
     Records: UK (11-2); Murray State (7-8)             
     4 p.m. ET; Kentucky Proud Park (Lexington, Ky.)
     TV: SECN+; Radio: UK Sports Network (98.5 FM Lexington)
     Tickets: UKAthletics.com