Kentucky TWIB Notes

The Kentucky Wildcats baseball program has received some good news today regarding next season's roster. Top baseball prospect James Paxton (LHP), drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in the supplemental first round of this summer's MLB Draft, has decided to return for his senior season. Paxton is considered one of the top lefties in the college game and immediately gives Kentucky a force atop the starting rotation.

We also learned today that five of the seven incoming freshmen drafted in the MLB Draft are also making the trip to Lexington this fall and bypassing a major league contract. This class includes three more pitchers, giving the Cats a young, but loaded pitching staff.

Great news for head coach Gary Henderson and his staff. With this news, Kentucky is expected to be a major obstacle in this year's SEC race. Now all we need is an updated stadium and we'll be good to go.

Cat Scratches

Paxton goes 37th to the Toronto Blue Jays

It's still considered the first round, just supplemental first round. My guess is it's not gonna change the fact he just made a ton of money. If you need anymore info on the subject, UK Athletics is your place.

Kentucky Baseball Love

The Major League Baseball Draft is today and Kentucky LHP James Paxton expects to be picked at some point in the first round. Paxton boasts one of the most notorious uber-agents in the business in Scott Boras. This means that while some teams might be hesitant to draft him, the kid is about to get paid.

He is one of top prospects in all of college baseball as he throws massive heat and is a southpaw. This unique combination has team's foaming at the mouth. He has been projected anywhere from 3rd to 30th overall, but most mock draft have him going somewhere in between. Thanks to Mr. Paxton for keeping Kentucky baseball in the news.

His teammate, right-hander Chris Rusin is also slated to be picked today as well. He seems to be a possible third-round choice.

Eric Lindsey, at Cat Scratches, also found a nice piece from the Wall Street Journal raving about the University of Kentucky baseball program. They say over the last 10+ years, Kentucky rates as the third best baseball factory for pitching in MLB Drafts. Sending prominent big leaguers Brandon Webb, Joe Blanton, Scott Downs, now James Paxton and Chris Rusin. Not even mentioning the numerous Wildcats in the minor leagues currently.

Not bad for a school known for basketball, and more recently football. Having publicity like this doesn't hurt at all for our up-and-coming baseball program and helps cement the fact that the University is one step closer to world domination.

MLB Draft tonight at 6:00

Stayin' Alive on the diamond

Big night on the diamond for the Kentucky Wildcats as both the softball and baseball teams are still alive in their respective seasons.

The softball team, making their first ever NCAA Tournament appearance, staved off elimination by winning a pair of games today in Columbus, OH. They beat Canisius and BYU to advance to the regional final tomorrow at 1:00pm against Ohio State. They need to beat the Buckeyes twice to advance to the Super Regional. If they lose tomorrow, they are done for the season. This was easily the best season in the history of softball at the University. Cats Scratches will have a live blog of tomorrow's game.

The baseball team kept their postseason hopes alive by taking down SEC East champ Florida tonight. Chad Wright robbed a potential game tying grand slam in the bottom of the ninth, and the Cats held on for an 8-7 victory. They have to win tomorrow and hope for a Vandy loss vs. Tennessee to even make the SEC Tournament. Kentucky does hold the tiebreaker with Vandy, so if there is a rainout in either game, only one of the above results need to happen (UK win/Vandy loss).

Go Cats.

Diamond Talk

Good night on the diamond for our two favorite baseball teams here on Big Blue Booyah.

The Bat Cats ended a seven game skid tonight with a win over the hated Dirty Birds of Louisville. Eric Lindsey at Cat Scratches has the recap and did a live blog for the game. The Cats let a 4-1 lead move to a 6-4 deficit before coming back late. Big ups to the Bat Cats.

And the Northern Kentucky Reds won their third straight game tonight with a dominant performance in Milwaukee. Ya Boyo Arroyo went 6+ innings with only 4 hits and 1 run and Jerry Hairston Jr. scored 3 runs along with a 2-run homer to win going away 6-1. Joey Votto continued his torrid start going 2-5 with 2 RBIs. Off-season pickup Willy Taveras stayed hot going 1-3 with 2 walks, 2 SBs, and great defense to guarantee the Red Legs a series win in their first road trip.

Don't know how often I'll be able to brag about the Bat Cats and Red Legs, so I'm getting it in while I can.

Bat Cats split Saturday/Sunday Vandy games

Kentucky took the second game of their weekend series with Vandy, 6-2, guaranteeing the first SEC series win on the season. Senior Chris Rusin threw his second straight complete game allowing only two runs and striking out 11. The Cats improved their season mark to 15-4, 3-2 in the SEC. For the recap or photo gallery, click here.

On Sunday, the Cats dropped their first home game of the season and Vandy avoided the sweep by hanging on 4-2 at Cliff Hagan Stadium. The loss dropped UK to 15-5, 3-3 in the SEC. For a complete recap, head on over to UKathletics.com.

Bat Cats shut down Commodorks 3-1

Junior James Paxton pitched 6 2/3 innings of two hit ball and struck out ten to lead Kentucky to an important series opening win yesterday vs. Vandy. Paxton is putting himself in position to be a very high draft pick next year with the breakthrough performances he has had over the past two seasons. In five starts, Paxton is 4-0 with 2.95 ERA. Kentucky improves to 14-4 on the year, 2-2 in the SEC, and stays undefeated at home.

RECAP

Sweepy McSweeperson

The UK baseball team got back on track over the last five days with a three game sweep of Western Michigan. The Bat Cats (5-2) have now won 23 consecutive games at home versus non-conference foes. Eastern Kentucky comes into town for a game at 4:00pm. The Colonels are coming off a huge upset win over Louisville. Freshman prospect Alex Meyer will toe the rubber for UK this afternoon. The game will be broadcast on the Big Blue Sports Network (radio) and WGVN 1580-AM.

Baseball ends weekend with a new streak

And it's not a good streak. After winning their first two games of the 2009 season, the Bat Cats lost a pair to 22nd ranked Coastal Carolina in Myrtle Beach. The two losses were the first for the UK baseball team in the month of February since 2006. UK (2-2) comes back to Lexington for a four game set against Western Michigan starting Friday. For a recap of the most recent L's, click below.

Scout.com

Baseball team starts off with a bang

The young, but talented Bat Cats (1-0) opened their 2009 campaign by setting a record. For the sixth consecutive season, UK won it season opener. The team is in Myrtle Beach, SC, playing a total of four games in three days. They have a double-header starting at noon Saturday facing James Madison. The second game is against the host, No. 22 Coastal Carolina, beginning at 3:30pm.

CatsPause.com: Cats open baseball season with a W