The Wildcats open final homestand by hosting No. 8 Florida as march to bolster NCAA Tournament resume continues
LEXINGTON, Ky. – May 6, 2021
With postseason play just three weeks away the Kentucky baseball team opens an eight-game homestand that likely will be crucial in determining its fate, beginning Thursday night when No. 8 Florida arrives at Kentucky Proud Park.
Thursday evening’s first pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET, while Friday is a 6:30 p.m. start and Saturday’s series finale is at 2 p.m. Thursday’s game will be nationally televised on the SEC Network, while Friday and Saturday stream live on Watch ESPN/SEC Network Plus and are available on radio on 630-AM WLAP (Lexington) and 1080-AM WKJK (Louisville) or UKathletics.com.
The Wildcats (26-15, 10-11 SEC) will host SEC foes on back-to-back weekends for the first time this season, both of whom are ranked and provide a golden opportunity for bolstering the resume. The stretch begins with the Gators (31-13, 13-7), who were everyone’s preseason top-ranked team and took two of three games from No. 2 Vanderbilt last weekend in Gainesville.
For the Cats, it all begins on the mound. Sophomore right-hander Cole Stupp has been excellent as the team’s No. 1 starter throughout this season but is coming off a rare down outing where he wasn’t as sharp as usual. Senior right-hander Sean Harney was terrific in the Cats’ win at No. 4 Tennessee last weekend and has shown more comfort in the starting role with each passing weekend after transitioning from the closer role.
Offensively, senior catcher Coltyn Kessler continues to tear the cover off the ball, particularly in conference play. He is tied for the most three-hit games in league play with four, ranks second in batting average and third on on-base percentage. Coupled with senior first baseman T.J. Collett – who is near the top of the league in every power category – and the Cats have a dynamic lineup that has been particularly good at home.
KENTUCKY (26-15, 10-11) vs. #8 FLORIDA (31-13, 13-7)
Thursday, May 6 vs. Florida
7 p.m. ET; Kentucky Proud Park (Lexington, Ky.)
TV: SEC Network: UK Sports Network (630 AM, Lexington; 1080 AM Louisville)
Pitchers: UK – RHP Cole Stupp (4-4, 4.03); Florida – RHP Franco Aleman (1-2, 5.05)
Friday, May 7 vs. Florida
6:30 p.m. ET; Kentucky Proud Park (Lexington, Ky.)
TV: SEC Network Plus: UK Sports Network (630 AM, Lexington; 1080 AM Louisville)
Pitchers: UK – RHP Sean Harney (3-0, 3.45); Florida – TBA
Saturday, May 8 vs. Florida
2 p.m. ET; Kentucky Proud Park (Lexington, Ky.)
TV: SEC Network Plus: UK Sports Network (630 AM, Lexington; 1080 AM Louisville)
Pitchers: UK – RHP Zack Lee (4-4, 4.47); Florida – TBA
