Baseball America names Paxton a top pro prospect

Special to the Herald-Leader

Kentucky senior left-hander James Paxton has been selected as the seventh-best college baseball prospect available for the 2010 MLB Draft, Baseball America announced Wednesday.

Paxton was rated as the top Southeastern Conference prospect, just ahead of No. 8 Zach Cox, a Louisville native and Arkansas third baseman. Paxton and Cox were among the seven SEC players in the top 25.

Paxton was the highest-drafted college player in 2009 to elect to return to school. The Blue Jays selected Paxton in the supplemental first round with the 37th overall selection.

Last season, Paxton ranked third in the NCAA in strikeouts per nine innings (13.2), fanning 115 in 781⁄3 innings. Paxton was 5-3 with a 5.86 ERA in 13 starts.

Women's soccer hosts WKU

The UK women's soccer team returns to Lexington on Friday to host Western Kentucky (4-2) in the Kentucky Tournament.

The Cats (2-2-2) are desperately seeking a goal after going 471 consecutive minutes without scoring.

The game is scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m.