UK baseball hosts one of the best teams in the country for weekend series at The Cliff
The Kentucky baseball team (12-2) stays home at Cliff Hagan Stadium this weekend for a major three-game series against highly ranked Texas Tech after splitting two games against in-state opponents Eastern Kentucky and Northern Kentucky earlier in the week.
The schedule
Friday: 4 p.m. (SEC Network Plus; WBUL-FM 98.5)
Saturday: 1 p.m. (SEC Network Plus; WBUL-FM 98.5 or WLAP-AM 630)
Sunday: 1 p.m. (SEC Network Plus; WBUL-FM 98.5 or WLAP-AM 630)
At the plate
Senior Luke Heyer has been absolutely killing the ball in recent days, earning national player of the week honors following UK’s three-game series in Texas last weekend. In those three games, Heyer hit .727 with a 1.727 slugging percentage, six RBI, two doubles and three home runs. He went a combined 4-for-7 with four runs scored, four RBI, two doubles and another homer in the loss to Northern Kentucky and the win over Eastern Kentucky this week.
For the season, Heyer is hitting .478 with eight homers and 20 RBI.
When you've got Paul Bunyan on your club you feel pretty good about things. @lukeheyer2 Player of the Week credentials from the weekend:
— Kentucky Baseball (@UKBaseball) March 5, 2018
.727, 5 runs, 2 2B, 3 HR, 6 RBI, SB, 1.727 Slugging, 2 GW RBI.#WeAreUK pic.twitter.com/yW13ly0cI2
The opponent
Texas Tech rolls into town with a 14-0 record. Last weekend, Tech was impressive in sweeping nationally ranked South Alabama in a four-game series, outscoring the Jaguars 36-12 in those games. The Red Raiders went to the College World Series in 2014 and 2016, and they’re among the favorites to end up back in Omaha at the end of this season.
The rankings
Texas Tech is ranked No. 3 in the USA Today Coaches Poll and No. 5 by Baseball America. Kentucky is rated No. 6 and No. 8, respectively, in the same two polls.
Probable pitchers
Friday: RHP Sean Hjelle (3-0, 0.92 ERA) vs. RHP Davis Martin (3-0, 0.60 ERA)
Saturday: LHP Zack Thompson (2-0, 5.52 ERA) vs. RHP John McMillon (3-0, 1.69 ERA)
Sunday: RHP Justin Lewis (3-0, 2.95 ERA) vs. LHP Dylan Dusek (1-0, 4.05 ERA)
Tickets
Advance tickets are available through Ticketmaster.com. Game-day sales are available two hours before first pitch at the Cliff Hagan Stadium box office.
Ben Roberts: 859-231-3216, @BenRobertsHL
This story was originally published March 8, 2018 at 2:48 PM with the headline "UK baseball hosts one of the best teams in the country for weekend series at The Cliff."