Kentucky Baseball Travels to Tuscaloosa for Weekend Series

Riding a 15-game winning streak, the program’s longest in 11 years, the #23 ranked Kentucky Wildcats travel to Tuscaloosa to take on the Alabama Crimson Tide this weekend.

Alabama was ranked #20 in D1Baseball’s preseason poll but has dropped out of the rankings completely after starting hot but cooling off recently. The Tide started the season 14-0, but then dropped two of three to Columbia in Tuscaloosa and dropped two of three to #3 Florida in Gainesville. Entering this weekend’s affairs, the Crimson Tide are 4-4 over its last eight games, so a series victory over freshly ranked Kentucky would be huge for Alabama’s season momentum.

The Wildcats are 19-2 and all the way up to #5 in the latest RPI rankings. Nick Mingione’s team has put it all together recently after a wobbly start which included losses to Elon and Wright State. While the Tide have had a shaky last eight games, the Bat ‘Cats have been putting fools in the dirt. Over the last eight games (all wins), the ‘Cats are outscoring opponents 89-25. This series will show whether or not the Wildcats are truthers or pretenders.

Friday will mark the 108th all-time meeting between Kentucky and Alabama. Although the Crimson Tide lead the series 64-43, Kentucky won the 2021 series (the last time these teams met) at Kentucky Proud Park two games to one. A few notable Alabama baseball alumni include 2009 World Series champion David Robertson, 2011 Silver Slugger Alex Avila, and Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Spencer Turnbull.

Alabama Impact Players

The Tide offense is powered by grad student Drew Williamson. The fifth-year first baseman is hitting an impressive .429 this season with 30 hits in 70 at-bats. Williamson forms a powerful duo with freshman Colby Shelton, who is tied for fourth in the entire country with 11 home runs hit. Along with longballs, the impressive freshman also leads the Tide in total bases (61) and slugging percentage (.847). Similar to the Wildcats, the Tide have a large number of qualified players batting nearly .300. Six players are batting .300-plus with two more batting .288 and .293. The Tide rank 6th in the country with a .330 team batting average and 11th in the country with 44 home runs hit this season. This team loves to mash.

In the three games this weekend, the Tide will start sophomore RHP Ben Hess, sophomore RHP Luke Holman, and junior LHP Grayson Hitt. Of the three, Holman has been the most impressive so far this season. Holman has pitched 21 innings and given up just 10 hits and three earned runs, equating to a 1.29 ERA. Hess is the team’s ace and has been solid in his five appearances this year. Hess has made five starts, holds a 3.46 ERA, and a 3-0 record. He also leads the staff in strikeouts (34).

Following their weekend with the ‘Cats, the Tide will travel to Fayetteville for a series with #5 ranked Arkansas next weekend. To say this series is critical is an understatement. Things wouldn’t bode well for the Tide if they were to lose their first three conference series.

Kentucky Impact Players

After serving an NCAA-mandated one-game suspension on Tuesday for last Sunday’s ejection due to excessive celebration, “The Captain” Hunter Gilliam will be back in the Wildcat lineup on Friday night.

Gilliam, the grad transfer from Longwood, has turned into a team leader on this younger Wildcat squad. Gilly leads the ‘Cats in many stats, including hits (32), home runs (five), RBI (33), and total bases (56). The trio of Gilliam, Devin Burkes, and Émilien Pitre has been one of the deadliest in the SEC this season. Those three have combined for 40% of the team’s hits, 63% of home runs, 49% of RBI, and 44% of total bases. When this trio goes, the team goes.

Senior RHP Logan Martin, grad student LHP Tyler Bosma, and senior RHP Zack Lee will be starting for the ‘Cats this weekend. Lee has been the most impressive this season, sporting a 2.59 ERA with a 24:20 K-H ratio. The senior has had luck on his side all season as well as the Wildcats’ offense has gifted him with excellent run support. In three of his five starts this season, the ‘Cats have scored 15+ runs, leading to a 3-0 record.

The Kentucky bullpen has been in lockdown this season, as Ryan Hagenow, Seth Chavez, Mason Moore, and Jackson Nove all sport a sub-1.00 ERA with more strikeouts than hits allowed.

Winning this series could really mark a special season for the ‘Cats, as they aren’t currently scheduled to face another ranked team until April 11th’s in-state matchup with #6 Louisville. A 2-0 series start in conference play could get them off and running to Hoover and a possible NCAA Tournament berth.

Game 1: Friday, March 24th, 2023 (Sewell Thomas Stadium – 7:00 PM)
UK: RHP Logan Martin (1-1, 4.20 ERA, 15.0 IP) vs BAMA: RHP Ben Hess (3-0, 3.46 ERA, 26.0 IP)
Game 2: Saturday, March 25th, 2023 (Sewell Thomas Stadium – 3:00 PM)
UK: LHP Tyler Bosma (3-1, 4.63 ERA, 23.1 IP) vs BAMA: RHP Luke Holman (4-0, 1.29 ERA, 21.0 IP)
Game 3: Sunday, March 26th, 2023 (Sewell Thomas Stadium – 3:00 PM)
UK: RHP Zack Lee (3-0, 2.59 ERA, 24.1 IP) vs BAMA: LHP Grayson Hitt (3-1, 4.37 ERA, 22.2 IP)