Louisville vs Kentucky baseball: 3 things to know heading into Battle of the Bluegrass
A win in the Battle of the Bluegrass against No. 8 Kentucky (30-5) might be the spark Louisville baseball (21-14) needs to turn its season around.
Tuesday's 7 p.m. game at Jim Patterson Stadium is the 115th meeting between the in-state rivals. Kentucky leads the all-time series, 64-49-1, but the Cardinals have won the last three.
Here are three things to know heading into the Battle of the Bluegrass:
Kentucky baseball off to hot start
The Wildcats are 14-1 in the SEC, recording a school-record 10 consecutive wins in conference action, and winning 18 of their last 20 games overall. They lead the SEC with 77 stolen bases.
Nick Lopez has been one of Kentucky's best players so far; he's batting .392 with four home runs, 14 doubles and 28 RBIs in 32 games. Lopez's talent as a switch hitter was on full display against Auburn over the weekend when he hit home runs in consecutive at-bats. His first was a two-run shot right-handed in the sixth inning, which was followed by a left-handed shot in the eighth.
Louisville baseball bats on fire
The Cardinals started the season 0-4 before winning 10 in a row to get back on track. But they have been inconsistent and are 7-8 in ACC play.
Louisville ranks among the top 20 nationally in hits (tied for 19th), batting average (16th) and stolen bases (11th). The Cards have hit a home run in 26 of their last 29 games. South Oldham graduate JT Benson's 23 stolen bases ranks first in the ACC and is tied for eighth nationally. On Saturday, the senior had a season-high four stolen bases in U of L's win over Virginia.
St. Xavier graduate returns to Louisville
Ryan Nicholson transferred to Kentucky ahead of this season after for years at Cincinnati. The St. Xavier graduate leads the Wildcats with 10 home runs in 32 games.
He enters Tuesday's game 1-2 against Louisville during his collegiate career. The former St. X star, who played a key role in the Tigers' winning the 2018 KHSAA baseball state championship, will have an opportunity to get his first victory against the Cards in his hometown during the 115th Battle of the Bluegrass.
Reach sports reporter Prince James Story at pstory@gannett.com and follow him on X at @PrinceJStory.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Louisville baseball vs Kentucky includes St. Xavier High homecoming
