Kentucky baseball is taking its 9-2 record on the road today for a short trip down I-75. The No. 21 Wildcats are set for a high-stakes mid-week home-and-home with Eastern Kentucky, starting tonight in Richmond before returning to Kentucky Proud Park on Wednesday.
While the Colonels sit at just 3-8, they are desperate to play spoiler against an in-state rival, especially after the Wildcats handed them a 16-0 shellacking last season.
The pitching matchups
The Cats are taking two very different approaches to the mound this week:
Tuesday (at EKU): Kentucky turns to left-handed freshman Will Coleman. Coleman has been flawless in his limited action this year, posting a 0.00 ERA over three innings with four strikeouts and zero hits allowed. Tonight is his biggest test yet as he looks to prove he can handle a starting role.
Wednesday (vs. EKU): The ball goes to Chase Alderman Jr., the regular mid-week starter who is currently searching for his rhythm. Despite an 8-strikeout tally, Alderman carries a 7.04 ERA and struggled in the Morehead State stunner earlier this year, allowing 5 runs in 3.2 innings pitched. Then he was a little better when he gave up 2 runs in 4 innings against Western Kentucky in what became a slugfest with the Cats winning 13-9.
Kentucky baseball offensive leaders, so far
The Wildcats' bats have been anchored by Hudson Brown (.400 avg) and Jayce Tharnish, who leads the team with 14 runs and an impressive 11-for-11 mark on stolen base attempts. If Kentucky can get on base early, its aggressive baserunning (41-of-46 on the season) should put immense pressure on the EKU staff. That is just the way Nick Mingione likes it.
How to watch and listen
Don't miss a pitch of the mid-week action:
- Tuesday, March 3 (at EKU): 5:00 PM ET | Watch: ESPN+
- Wednesday, March 4 (vs. EKU): 4:00 PM ET | Watch: SECN+
- Radio: Both games will be broadcast on the UK Sports Network (98.5 FM in Lexington) and UKathletics.com.