Kentucky is expecting capacity crowds against Arkansas this weekend. (Vicky Graff Photo)
For the second time in three weekends, the eighth-ranked Kentucky baseball program will host a top-ten SEC series, as No. 2 Arkansas travels to Lexington for a three game set at Kentucky Proud Park. The Derby Weekend battle pits the two teams tied for the Southeastern Conference lead against each other, with the series commencing on today at 6:30 p.m. ET.
Games on Saturday (2 p.m. ET) and Sunday (1 p.m. ET) will close out the series, where the SEC East-leading Wildcats tangle with the SEC West-leading Razorbacks. All three games will be streamed live on the SEC Network +, with audio broadcasts available via the UK Sports Network.
The winner of this series will sit in the driver’s seat for the conference title heading into the final two weekends of conference play. Even if Tennessee and Texas A&M, who both sit one game behind Kentucky and Arkansas, sweep their respective series, whichever team is able to claim the series victory will still hold at least a share of the SEC lead.
Kentucky (33-9, 16-5 SEC) will look to rebound after their first back-to-back series losses of the season. Following a blistering 15-1 start to SEC play that saw the Cats sweep four of their first five series, Kentucky dropped a pair of top-25 battles to Tennessee and South Carolina. Most recently, the Wildcats dropped their first road series of the year in a back-and-forth series in Columbia. After dropping an extra inning contest on Friday, Kentucky rebounded with a 15-13 victory in game two, but fell in Sunday’s rubber match for the second weekend in a row.
Despite the series losses, the Wildcat offense has continued to power on, led by Ryan Waldschmidt and Ryan Nicholson. The Cats feature the league’s best offense by average against conference opponents and sit in the top-three of a number of offensive categories including: OBP (1), hits (1), stolen bases (1), sacrifices (2), runs scored (2), slugging percentage (3), and home runs (3).
Holding firm in his leadoff position, Waldschmidt has spearheaded this offensive attack in the conference season, hitting a blistering .422 against SEC pitching. That figure, good for second in the conference, has been aided by hits in 12 of his last 13 games and eight multi-hit games in the last nine games. Waldschmidt also leads the SEC in stolen bases in conference play and has hit five home runs in the last two weeks. Nicholson has emerged as the top power threat for the Cats, blasting ten home runs in the last 12 games. He also has 12 home runs in conference play, a number good for fifth in the SEC.
Arkansas (39-7, 16-5 SEC) head to Lexington after a successful five-game stretch in Fayetteville. The Razorbacks took two of three against Florida last weekend before sweeping Missouri State in a two-game midweek set. The Razorbacks are 6-1 in SEC series this year, holding three series wins over top-25 competition. The Hogs’ only conference defeat came on the road at No. 25 Alabama, as the then-No. 1 ranked Razorbacks dropped the final two contests after winning the series opener.
Pitching has led the way for the Razorbacks, who feature an NCAA-leading 3.12 team ERA. Junior LHP Hagen Smith has excelled in the role of Friday starter and ace, boasting a pristine 8-0 record with a 1.35 ERA, good for second in the country. Smith, who struck out 17 in a top-ten matchup with Oregon State, has recorded double-digit punchouts in eight of his 11 starts this season.
Friday
6:30 p.m. ET; Lexington, Ky. (Kentucky Proud Park)
Radio: UK Sports Network | Live Stream: SECN+
UK – RHP Trey Pooser (3-0, 3.75 ERA) ; UA – LHP Hagen Smith (8-0, 1.35 ERA)
Saturday
2 p.m. ET; Lexington, Ky. (Kentucky Proud Park)
Radio: UK Sports Network | Live Stream: SECN+
UK – LHP Dominic Niman (7-3, 5.00 ERA); UA – RHP Brady Tygart (4-1, 2.68 ERA)
Sunday
1 p.m. ET; Lexington, Ky. (Kentucky Proud Park)
Radio: UK Sports Network | Live Stream: SECN+
UK – RHP Mason Moore (7-1, 5.08 ERA); UA – LHP Mason Molina (3-1, 3.47)
2 Responses
I know horse racing is not as popular as in the past. Being a student at UK when Secretariat ruled the tracks, the KY Derby was always a big deal. I looked back at the 100th derby details and was stunned by the names of historic riders. How about this list…Angel Cordero, Bill Shoemaker, Bobby Ussery, Laffit Pincay Jr, Bill Hartack, Don Brumfield and Eddie Maple on the ride for Derby 100. Being somewhat prudent with meager funds, when I bet it was $2.00 on Don Brumfield to show. He dominated Keeneland for years. Great Memories – none better than Big Red smoking the Triple Crown. He was the greatest horse I ever saw. Magnificent specimen.
It’s not enough to have a good record, you have to believe that you can beat the good teams too. The bat Cats seem to struggle with Tennessee and that carried over to the series in Columbia. Can they take the next step and believe that they should win most of the SEC series they play in…regardless of where they are played?