EVANSVILLE, Ind. – The University of Evansville baseball team will host an SEC team for a weekend series for the first time in program history this weekend, welcoming 18th-ranked Kentucky to Charles H. Braun Stadium. The series will begin on Friday with a 3 PM first pitch and conclude on Saturday with a doubleheader beginning at Noon.
| Evansville vs. #18 Kentucky | Friday, February 20 - Saturday, February 21 | 3 PM, 12 PM, 3:05 PM CT |
| Site | Location |
German American Bank Field at Charles H. Braun Stadium | Evansville, Ind. |
| Links |
Friday, 3 PM: Live Stats | TV: ESPN+
Expected Pitching Match-Up: UE LHP Kenton Deverman (0-1, 6.75 ERA) vs. Kentucky RHP Jaxon Jelkin (1-0, 0.00 ERA)
Saturday G1, 12 PM: Live Stats | TV: N/A
Expected Pitching Match-Up: UE RHP Max Hansmann (0-0, 4.50 ERA) vs. Kentucky LHP Ben Cleaver (1-0, 0.00 ERA)
Saturday G2, 3:05 PM: Live Stats | TV: N/A
Expected Pitching Match-Up: UE LHP Kevin Reed (0-1. 32.40 ERA) vs. Kentucky RHP Nate Harris (1-0. 2.25 ERA) |
| Follow the Aces |
Baseball Site | Twitter | Game Notes |
Series History
- Kentucky leads the all-time series, 12-10
- The teams have met each season since 2021, with the Wildcats winning all five meetings
- Evansville holds a 5-2 advantage over the Wildcats at home
- The last meeting in the River City came in 2007, with Evansville winning by a score of 5-4
Starting Strong
- In his first three years as an Ace, Max Hansmann was used primarily as a reliever, making 61 of 68 appearances out of the bullpen
- This season, Hansmann has transitioned to the starting rotation
- In his season debut last Friday at Kennesaw State, Hansmann tossed six innings of three-run ball, striking out a career-high six
Double Trouble
- Sophomore shortstop Drew McConnell enjoyed a hot start to the season, leading the Aces with a .364 batting average and a 1.098 OPS over Opening Weekend
- Three of McConnell's four hits were doubles, including two doubles on Saturday against Marshall
- After starting 49 games as a freshman last season, McConnell was named the #9 2027 MLB Draft Prospect in the MVC by D1Baseball heading into 2026
Fresh Faces
- A number of newcomers made an impact in their first games as Aces
- Illinois transfer Reagan Reeder went 4-for-12 over Opening Weekend and hit his first collegiate home run
- Charlotte transfer Reid Haire also hit his first collegiate home run, coming in game one
- Freshman Ximi Baftiri started all three games at third base and collected three hits and two RBI
- Preseason MVC Freshman of the Year Wyatt Pennington started his career with an RBI double in his first at-bat while starting all three games at second base
