Mark Maloney on Kentucky sports

Baseball

South Atlantic League

Lexington Legends
at Hickory Crawdads

What: Three-game series

When: Tuesday through Thursday (7 each night)

Where:  L.P. Frans Stadium (Hickory, N.C.)

Major League affiliates: Houston Astros (Legends), Texas Rangers

Probable pitchers (Legends listed first): Tuesday, RH Mike Foltynewicz (14-3, 2.67) vs. RH Nick Martinez (7-6, 4.51); Wednesday, LH Luis Cruz (9-7, 4.07) vs. RH Jerad Eickhoff (12-7, 4.73); Thursday, RH Jonas Dufek (6-4, 5.57) vs. LH Will Lamb (5-8, 4.35).

Justin Gominsky

Legend to watch: OF Justin Gominsky (6-foot-4, 185 pounds, bats/throws right, age 23, from Woodbury, Minn .) has raised his average 16 points since the all-star break. Batting .238 overall, Gominsky has two homers, 32 RBI and 36 runs, plus 10 stolen bases, over 89 games. He is hitting .269 against left-handers, .225 versus righties. Selected by the Astros in the 11th round of the 2011 draft, out of the University of Minnesota, he earned New York-Penn League mid-season all-star honors last year with the Tri-City ValleyCats. Over 60 games with Tri-City, Gominsky batted .237 with 18 RBI, 35 runs and 12 stolen bases. At Mahtomedi (Minn.) High School, he also was a standout wide receiver in football.

Will Lamb

Crawdad to watch: Thursday starting pitcher Will Lamb (6-6, 180, b/t left, age 21, from Newport News, Va.) came into the season ranked by Baseball America as the 21st-best prospect in the Rangers system. Selected by Texas in the second round of the 2011 draft, after his junior year at Clemson University, he broke in by playing 12 games (seven starts) for the Spokane Indians of the Northwest League and four starts for the Crawdads. Combined, he finished 3-1 with a 2.75 ERA, 62 strikeouts and 31 walks over 56 innings. This season, at 5-8, 4.35  over 103 1/3 innings, Lamb has struck out 76 and walked 52. At the all-star break, he was 0-6 with a 4.93 ERA. Since then, he is 5-2 with a 3.96 ERA.

Radio: WLXG-AM 1300

Baseball

South Atlantic League

Lexington Legends
vs. Asheville Tourists

What: Four-game series

When: Thursday through Sunday (7:05 Thursday through Saturday nights, 1:35 p.m. Sunday)

Where: Whitaker Bank Ballpark

Tickets: Call (859) 422-7867

Major League affiliates: Houston Astros (Legends), Colorado Rockies

Probable pitchers (Legends listed first): Thursday, RH Luis Ordosgoitti (1-1, 4.06) vs. RH Alex Gillingham (3-4, 4.59); Friday, LH Luis Cruz (5-3, 3.63) vs. RH Chris Jensen (6-2, 5.32); Saturday, RH Jonas Dufek (3-1, 5.28) vs. RH Daniel Winkler (8-3, 4.93); Sunday, RH Nick Tropeano (5-4, 3.27) vs. LH Tyler Anderson (5-0, 3.32).

Will Swanner

Tourist to watch: All-star C Will Swanner (6-foot-2, 195 pounds, from Cardiff, Calif.) leads Asheville with a .620 slugging percentage and a gaudy 1.038 OPS. He ranks second on the team in batting average (.331), on-base percentage (.418) and doubles (18). Over 41 games, he also has seven homers, 31 RBI and 34 runs. Ranked by Baseball America as the 21st-best prospect in the Rockies system, the right-hander was drafted in the 15th round of the 2010 draft out of high school in Carlsbad, Calif., signing for $490,000. He spent his first two pro seasons with the Casper Ghosts of the Pioneer League, batting .277 with 17 homers and 37 RBI over 61 games. Swanner has been efficient versus both right-handers and left-handers this season, hitting .333 against the former and .325 facing the latter. With runners on base, he’s batting .358.

Mike Kvasnicka

Legend to watch: C Mike Kvasnicka (6-2, 213, from Lakeville, Minn.), a switch-hitter who throws right-handed, played third base for the Legends last season. In addition, he can play in the outfield corners. He got off to a slow start this year, but has steadily picked up the pace and is officially red-hot. Kvasnicka batted .118 in April, .229 in May and is off to a 13-for-36 (.361) start in June. Sunday, he homered from both sides of the plate at Greensboro. Over his last four games, Kvasnicka is 7-for-14 (.500), with three homers, six RBI and five runs. Selected by the Astros in the supplemental first round (33rd overall) of the 2010 draft, out of the University of Minnesota, he signed for $936,000. He is rated by Baseball America as the 25th-best prospect in the Houston system. His father, Jay, was an eighth-round pick in 1988 and made it to Class 3A in the Twins system. Mike broke in with the Tri-City ValleyCats of the New York-Penn League in 2010, batting .234 with five homers and 36 RBI for 68 games. Last year with the Legends, he hit .260 with four homers and 59 RBI over 128 games. He also was an SAL mid-season all-star.

Radio: WLXG-AM 1300

Promotions: Thursday is Autism Awareness Night and Thirsty Thursday ($1 beer and soft drinks). Friday, the first 1,000 fans will receive an Alan “Stein” beer stein in honor of the former Legends president and CEO; it’s also Bluegrass Mobility Night, to be followed by a fireworks show. Saturday is Bark in the Park Night for non-aggressive, well-behaved dogs; entertainment by America’s Best Frisbee Dogs. Also, it’s State Championship Night, honoring all high school athletes who have won individual and/or team championships.  Sunday, Father’s Day, all dads are invited to arrive early and play catch on the field with their son or daughter. It’s also Kids Club Sunday, including post-game opportunity to run the bases. Following the Legends-Tourists game, it’s the annual Guns ‘n Hoses softball game between the Lexington police and fire departments.

Baseball

South Atlantic League

Lexington Legends
vs. Hagerstown Suns

What: Four-game series

When: Sunday through Wednesday (4:05 p.m. Sunday, then 7:05 each night)

Where: Municipal Stadium (Hagerstown, Md.)

Major League affiliates: Houston Astros (Legends), Washington Nationals

Quevedo

Bushue

Cruz

Foltynewicz

Probable pitchers (Legends listed first): Sunday, RH Carlos Quevedo (7-4, 3.93) vs. LH Ryan Demmin (2-2, 2.28); Monday, RH Tanner Bushue (6-4, 4.28) vs. LH Matt Swynenberg (5-1, 3.24); Tuesday, RH Mike Foltynewicz (5-9, 4.19) vs. LH Robbie Ray (2-2, 2.29); Wednesday, LH Luis Cruz (3-2, 4.18) vs. LH Paul Applebee (6-2, 3.52).

Mike Kvasnicka

Legend to watch: Switch-hitting all-star 3B Mike Kvasnicka (6-foot-2, 208 pounds, from Lakeville, Minn.) leads the Legends in games played (108 through Friday), at-bats (409), hits (113), doubles (26), triples (4) and total bases (156), and ranks second on the club in runs (49), RBI (51) and walks (38). In addition, he’s batting .276 with three homers, five stolen bases, a .724 OPS and a .908 fielding percentage. Kvasnicka has hits in seven of his last eight games, going 11-for-33 (.333). He’s been at his best when facing left-handers (.308 batting average), at home (.302) and with men-on-base-with-two-outs (.358). A first-round supplemental pick (33rd overall) in the 2010 draft, Kvasnicka followed in his father Jay‘s footsteps by playing at the University of Minnesota.  (Dad was an eighth-round pick of the Twins in 1988 and advanced to Triple-A ball.) Mike was a three-year starter for the Gophers, a two-time all-Big Ten outfielder and led the conference in doubles as a junior. Signed for $936,000, he reported to Tri-City last summer and hit .234 with five homers, 36 RBI and 31 runs over 68 games. Coming into this season, he was rated by Baseball America as the 14th-best prospect in the Astros system.

Jason Martinson

Sun to watch: SS Jason Martinson (6-1, 190, from Hurst, Texas) leads the Suns in stolen bases (23) and, through Friday, shares the team lead in homers (14) and games played (109). Overall, the right-handed batter/thrower is hitting .254 with 53 RBI and 52 runs scored. He has hit safely in five of his last six games, going 6-for-20 (.300) with a homer, four RBI and five runs. Selected by the Nationals in the fifth round of the 2010 draft, out of Texas State University, he came into this season rated by Baseball America as the No. 22 prospect in the Washington system. He broke into pro ball last year, batting .241 with two homers, 36 RBI, 38 runs and four stolen bases over 70 games with Vermont of the New York-Penn League.

Radio: WLXG AM-1300

Baseball

South Atlantic All-Star Game

Northern Division vs. Southern Division

Where: Arthur W. Perdue Stadium (Salisbury, Md.)

When: Tuesday, 7:30 p.m.

Probable pitchers: RH David Buchanan, Northern/Lakewood BlueClaws (8-4, 3.21) vs. RH Taylor Whitenton, Southern/Savannah Sand Gnats (3-1, 3.34)

Legends to watch

Adam Bailey

RF Adam Bailey (6-foot-1, 192 pounds, from Monument, Colo.) is one of the Southern Division’s five participants in the pre-game Home Run Derby. Bailey leads the Legends in runs (40), hits (79), total bases (135) and games played (68). Overall, he is batting .293 with 13 homers, 44 RBI, .337 on-base percentage and .500 slugging percentage. He’s not all offense, either, as he has a league-leading 12 outfield assists. A 38th round draft pick in 2009, Bailey opted to play his senior year at the University of Nebraska and became a 23rd round draft pick in 2010. At Nebraska, he was All-Big 12 while batting .368 with 18 homers, 69 RBI and 57 runs over 54 games. In the Astros system last year, he went 55-for-234 (.235) over 66 games with the Tri-City ValleyCats of the New York-Penn League. Included were four homers, a triple and 15 doubles, with 33 RBI, 20 runs and three stolen bases.

Mike Kvasnicka (Maloney photo)

Mike Kvasnicka

3B Mike Kvasnicka (6-2, 208, from Lakeville, Minn.) became a late addition to the all-star roster due to an injury suffered by Charleston RiverDogs infielder Kyle Roller. Kvasnicka leads the Legends in doubles (17) and is tied for the lead in triples (3). A switch-hitter, Kvasnicka is batting .286 with three homers, 37 RBI and 37 runs over 64 games, with a .346 on-base percentage and .419 slugging. A first-round suplemental draft pick (33rd overall) in 2010, Kvasnicka followed in the footsteps of his father Jay by playing collegiate ball for Minnesota. (Jay was an eighth-round pick of the Twins in 1988 and advanced to Triple-A ball.) Mike was a three-year starter for the Golden Gophers, a two-time All-Big Ten outfielder and led the conference in doubles as a junior. He also has significant experience as a catcher. Signed for $936,000, he reported to Tri-City last summer and hit .234 with five homers, 36 RBI and 31 runs over 68 games. Coming into the season, Baseball America rated him as the 14th-best prospect in the Astros system.

Jiovanni Mier (Maloney photo)

Jiovanni Mier

SS Jiovanni Mier (6-2, 180, from Las Vegas) is tied for the league lead in double plays turned by a shortstop (35). With 10 errors in 266 total chances, Mier has a .962 fielding percentage. On offense, he leads Legends in walks 37, while carrying a .245 batting average. Over 57 games, Mier has five homers, 29 RBI, 39 runs, 14 doubles, six stolen bases, a .354 on-base percentage and .380 slugging percentage. Houston’s 2009 first-round draft pick (21st overall), he came into this season rated by Baseball America as the fifth-best prospect in the Astros system. Wrote Baseball America: “The first prep shortstop drafted in 2009, Mier signed for $1.358 million, then ranked as the top position prospect in the Rookie-level Appalachian League after hitting .276/.380/.485 (average, on-base percentage, slugging with Greeneville). His first full pro season was rougher, as he was hitting .199 as late as June 17. He grinded his way through the season, however, batting .260 in the second half and rankein sixth in the low Class A South Atlantic League with 63 walks.”

Chris Wallace (Maloney photo)

Chris Wallace

C/DH Chris Wallace (6-0, 212, from Cypress, Texas) will join Bailey in Tuesday’s Home Run Derby. Wallace leads the Legends and is tied for third in the league with 14 homers. He also leads Legends in RBI (49) and extra-base hits (33), and is tied with Kvasnicka for the lead in triples (3). Overall, Wallace is batting .285 with 37 runs, 16 doubles and 133 total bases over 66 games. He has a .356 on-base percentage and .550 slugging. In April, he hit .398 with seven homers. A 16th round pick in the 2010 draft, he hit a team-leading 10 homers with a .388 on-base percentage and .486 slugging as a senior at the University of Houston. He then reported to Greeneville, earning Appalachian League all-star honors while batting .310 with eight homers and 32 RBI over 47 games. He also had three stolen bases and three triples, and was the team’s Offensive Player of the Month for July. Wallace also played 20 games with Tri-City, batting .250 with two homers and eight RBI.

Baseball

South Atlantic League

Lexington Legends vs. Hagerstown Suns

What: Four-game series

When: Monday through Thursday (7:05 each night)

Where: Whitaker Bank Ballpark

Tickets: Call (859) 422-7867

Major League affiliates: Houston Astros (Legends), Washington Nationals

Probable pitchers (Legends listed first): Monday: RH Juan Minaya (0-0, 0.00) vs. RH Taylor Jordan (1-0, 9.00); Tuesday, RH Mike Foltynewicz (0-1, 9.00) vs. RH Cameron Selik (0-0, 0.00); Wednesday, RH Tanner Bushue (1-0, 6.00) vs. LH Matt Grace (1-0, 0.00); Thursday, LH Brad Dydalewicz (0-0, 1.80) vs. RH Chris McKenzie (1-0, 1.80).

Bryce Harper

Sun to watch: OF Bryce Harper (6-foot-3, 225 pounds, from Las Vegas) was the first overall pick in the first-year player draft last June. He went 4-for-15 with three RBI in Hagerstown’s season-opening series against Rome, which ended Sunday. Out of the College of Southern Nevada, he won the Golden Spikes Award as the nation’s top amateur player. He was Scenic West Athletic Conference Player of the Year last year in a wood bat league, hitting .443 with 31 homers and 98 RBI, with a .987 slugging percentage, .526 on-base percentage and 20 stolen bases in 24 attempts over 66 games. Signed by the Nationals for $9.9 million, including a $6.25 million bonus. Rated by MLB.com as the No. 3 prospect overall and by Baseball America as the No. 1 prospect in the Nationals system. Labeled “Baseball’s Chosen One” in 2009, when he appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated at age 16. He signed too late to play minor-league ball last summer, but got 35 at-bats in the Arizona Fall League and hit .343 with one homer. Baseball America says “Harper’s raw tools are freakish” and rates his power and arm at the top of the 20-80 scale, where 50 represents the major-league average. He has hit 500-foot home runs and has thrown 95 mph. Batting and defense are rated at 60 each, speed at 55. Says Baseball America: “The most hyped prospect in draft history, Harper has superstar potential, and it’s hard to find an evaluator who thinks he’ll fall short of that ceiling. … A realistic big-league ETA for Harper is 2013 — when he’ll be just 20.”

Mike Kvasnicka

Legend to watch: 3B Mike Kvasnicka (6-2, 208, from Lakeville, Minn.) went 4-for-5, drove in three runs, scored three runs and stole a base during Sunday’s 12-4 win over Charleston. That gives him a .471 average (8-for-17) through four games, with a double, triple, six RBI and five runs. A switch-hitter, Kvasnicka also can catch or play outfield. A supplemental first-round (33rd overall) draft pick of the Astros last June, he played collegiate ball for Minnesota. A two-time All-Big Ten outfielder, he led the conference in doubles as a junior. He signed for $936,000, then played for the Tri-City ValleyCats of the New York-Penn League last summer. There he his .234 with five homers, 36 RBI and 31 runs over 68 games. He is rated by Baseball America as the No. 14 prospect in the Astros system. His father, Jay, also played collegiate ball at Minnesota and was an eighth-round draft pick of the Minnesota Twins in 1988.

Radio: WLXG AM-1300

Louisville and Kentucky both have squads among the top 25 in the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) pre-season rankings for the Division I outdoor track season.

The Florida men and Texas A&M women have the No. 1 spots. Florida won last month’s NCAA Indoor Championships. A&M’s women are defending NCAA outdoor champs.

U of L came in at 14th in the men’s poll and 20th on the women’s side.

UK’s men are unranked, but the women are No. 21.

The Southeastern Conference leads the men’s rankings with eight teams ranked: 1. Florida; 7. Auburn; 8. LSU; 11. South Carolina; 12. Mississippi State; 15. Arkansas; 21. Tennessee; and 23. Mississippi. The Pac-10 is next with six, followed by the Big 12 with five.

The SEC also tops the women’s rankings with six teams: 3. LSU; 4. Florida; 13. Auburn; 21. UK; 22. South Carolina; and 23. Tennessee. The Pac-10 and Big 12 have five each.

For more on the rankings and links to guidelines and rationale, visit

http://www.ustfccca.org/rankings/division-i-rankings

Men’s rankings

(School, points, 2009 final ranking)

1. Florida, 371.37 (2); 2. Texas A&M, 347.88 (1); 3. Oregon, 258.41 (2); 4. Florida State, 226.14 (2); 5. Texas Tech, 219.96, — (unranked).

6. Southern California, 186.25 (10); 7. Auburn, 173.46 (12); 8. LSU, 171.22 (5); 9. Arizona State, 153.53 (8); 10. Nebraska, 149.76 (17).

11. South Carolina, 149.65 (6); 12. Mississippi State, 149.35 (17); 13. Oklahoma, 134.71 (25); 14. LOUISVILLE, 127.17, –; 15. Arkansas, 125.37 (9).

16. UCLA, 114.84, –; 17. Virginia Tech, 110.86 (16); 18. California, 105.42 (25); 19. Baylor, 104.89 (20); 20. Minnesota, 104.02, –.

21. Tennessee, 91.26, –; 22. Washington State, 88.01 (17); 23. Mississippi, 85.03, –; 24. Brigham Young, 84.99 (13); 25. Wisconsin, 83.10, –.

Women’s rankings

(School, points, 2009 final ranking)

1. Texas A&M, 347.28 (1); 2. Oregon, 274.57 (2); 3. LSU, 266.69 (6); 4. Florida, 186.92 (9); 5. Florida State, 186.57 (4).

6. Baylor, 177.14 (10); 7. Southern California, 176.22 (8); 8. Oklahoma, 170.55 (23); 9. Virginia Tech, 154.08 (12); 10. Brigham Young, 144.51 (15).

11. Texas-El Paso, 140.48 (25); 12. Washington, 133.80 (19); 13. Auburn, 122.01 (25); 14. Penn State, 121.97 (14); 15. Miami (Fla.), 116.87 (16).

16. Nebraska, 116.34, –; 17. Texas, 102.76 (5); 18. UCLA, 97.46 (16); 19. Stanford, 95.99, –; 20. LOUISVILLE, 88.22, –.

21. KENTUCKY, 86.23, –; 22. South Carolina, 85.29, –; 23. Tennessee, 84.00 (10); 24. North Carolina, 82.61, –; 25. Illinois, 82.05 (12).

Kentucky’s men are No. 19 and Louisville’s women are 14th in the first regular-season U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association rankings of NCAA Division I teams.

The Florida State men and Texas A&M women retained the No. 1 spots awarded in the pre-season. Oregon is No. 2 in both men’s and women’s rankings.

The UK men dropped two spots from the pre-season. The Wildcats are last among seven Southeastern Conference teams ranked among the top 20.

The top 25 men’s teams include seven each from the SEC, Pac-10 and Big 12, plus two each from the ACC and Big Ten.

Louisville’s women climbed four spots from the pre-season. The Cardinals are the first of three Big East teams among the top 25.

The SEC leads the women’s poll with six teams among the top 25. The Big 12 has four teams, followed by the Big East, Pac-10 and ACC with three each.

Both Louisville and Kentucky will be in action this weekend at UK’s Rod McCravy Memorial Meet.

Friday’s schedule is limited to four field events — men’s high jump, women’s pole vault and weight throws for men and women.

Saturday’s card begins at 10:30 a.m. with the women’s high jump and long jump. The first track event, semifinals of the women’s 60-meter hurdles, is set for 12:30 p.m.

MEN                                                                                   WOMEN
Rank (previous rank) School (points)                     Rank (previous) School (points)

 1. (1) Florida State (135.17)                                        1. (1) Texas A&M (189.67)
 2. (3) Oregon (124.74)                                                 2. (2) Oregon (120.25)
 3. (2) Florida (120.22)                                                  3. (5) Brigham Young (117.86)
 4. (8) Texas A&M (118.10)                                           4. (3) LSU (105.16)
 5. (4) Nebraska (107.17)                                             5. (4) Florida State (103.16)
 6. (9) LSU (106.59)                                                       6. (10) Penn State (91.38)
 7. (5) Arkansas (94.10)                                                7. (9) Clemson (85.29)
 8. (7) Arizona State (89.48)                                          8. (12) Tennessee (82.15)
 9. (6) Oklahoma (88.97)                                               9. (6) Florida (79.60)
10. (11) Baylor (67.78)                                                 10. (17) Arkansas (75.59)
11. (14) Texas Tech (65.59)                                       11. (7) South Carolina (74.18)
12. (10) Minnesota (62.80)                                         12. (11) Nebraska (66.28)
13. (13) Virginia Tech (61.23)                                     13. (8) Washington (65.98)
14. (19) Georgia (57.62)                                              14. (18) LOUISVILLE (63.40)
15. (12) South Carolina (57.45)                                 15. (21) Oklahoma (61.68)
16. (38) Indiana (53.65)                                              16. (16) Baylor (61.40)
17. (16) Stanford (48.07)                                             17. (26) Arizona (58.12)
18. (15) Auburn (47.67)                                               18. (13) Virginia Tech (56.30)
19. (17) KENTUCKY (47.42)                                        19. (27) Auburn (53.31)
20. (101) Arizona (41.20)                                             20. (23) Southern Illinois (53.29)
21. (18) Washington State (40.92)                            21. (14) Connecticut (47.74)
22. (20) California (40.72)                                           22. (20) Indiana State (46.28)
23. (22) Kansas State (40.59)                                    23. (22) West Virginia (44.97)
24. (21) Oklahoma State (39.64)                               24. (19) Illinois (44.91)
25. (36) Washington (37.87)                                      25. (25) Texas-El Paso (44.56)

Cardinals 21st, Wildcats 26th in softball pre-season poll

Louisville is No. 21 and Kentucky is one spot shy of making the ESPN.com/USA Softball Pre-Season Collegiate Top 25 poll released Tuesday.

Topping the list is defending NCAA champion Washington (51-12 last season), taking 17 of 20 first-place votes.

U of L (48-11) is one of two Big East teams ranked, one spot behind DePaul. The Cardinals open their season Feb. 12 in the Marriott Tournament at Houston. In order, U of L will face Kansas, No. 15 Baylor (twice), Houston and No. 16 Ohio State.

UK (34-23) had the most votes of “others receiving votes” – 26th overall. The Wildcats begin play Feb. 11 in the Kajikawa Classic where they will face, in order, host and No. 7-ranked Arizona State, San Diego State, Cal State Fullerton, Western Michigan and No. 11 California.

Five Southeastern Conference teams are ranked ahead of UK: No. 2 Alabama, No. 5 Florida, No. 8 Georgia, No. 13 LSU and No. 18 Tennessee.

Rank, Team (first-place votes), 2009 record, points

 1. Washington (17)         51-12   479
 2. Alabama (1)                 54-11   457
 3. Michigan                       47-12   430
 4. Arizona (1)                    46-17   424
 5. Florida                           63-5     407
 6. UCLA (1)                       45-11   396
 7. Arizona State                47-19   387
 8. Georgia                         47-12   363
 9. Missouri                        50-12   337
10. Oklahoma                    41-16   306
11. California                     38-20   282
12. Stanford                       48-11    256
13. LSU                           34-18-1    234
14. Georgia Tech               46-15   215
15. Baylor                            40-22   214
16. Ohio State                     47-11   187
17. Northwestern               31-15   167
18. Tennessee               40-18-1   163
19. Florida State                 44-16   128
20. DePaul                          39-14   107
21. LOUISVILLE                  48-11    93
22. North Carolina              47-13    91
23. La.-Lafayette                 45-13    84
24. Fresno State                 28-20    70
25. UMass                           41-10     55
Others receiving votes: KENTUCKY (26), Jacksonville State (17), Auburn (14), North Dakota State (14), Nevada (12), Oregon (11), Oklahoma State (10), Texas (8), Cal Poly (7), Notre Dame (7), Nebraska (6), Texas A&M 5, Ball State (4), Brigham Young (4), San Diego State (4), Long Beach State (3), Purdue (2), New Mexico State (1), Virginia Tech (1), Western Michigan (1).

SCORE one for the ol’ coach

Jeff Bennett

Former UK baseball coach Keith Madison, now national baseball director of SCORE International, is helping raise funds for the non-profit organization through an online sale of baseball memorabilia. The pair of items come courtesy of Jeff Bennett, relief pitcher for the Tampa Bay Rays and an annual supporter of SCORE. The sale on eBay runs through January.

Descriptions follow.

1. 2009 official MLB Rawlings baseball, with 22 autographs from the World Series champion New York Yankees. Signatures include Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, CC Sabathia, Mariano Rivera, Johnny Damon, Mark Teixeira, Jorge Posada, (World Series MVP) Hideki Matsui, Andy Pettitte, AJ Burnett, Robinson Cano, Melky Cabrera, Nick Swisher, Joba Chamberlain and Manager Joe Girardi.  Online, see: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&Item=220543520321&Category=73418&_trkparms=algo%3DLVI%26its%3DI%26otn%3D1

2. 2009 official Mark Teixeira-autographed baseball bat. The bat was donated from Teixeira’s personal game collection, straight from the Yankees clubhouse, and is signed in permanent silver ink. Online, see: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=220546270071

Rashaud Scott

Kentucky’s Rashaud Scott remains the No. 1 discus performer, but the Wildcats team dropped from 21st to No. 25 in the released U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association men’s poll that was released Wednesday.

Cross-state rival Louisville, led by second-ranked steeplechaser Corey Thorne, also fell, from No. 25 to 27.

Oregon reclaimed the No. 1 team ranking, dropping Florida to No. 2.

Florida and Kentucky are among seven Southeastern Conference teams ranked in the top 25. The SEC Championships open Thursday and last through Sunday at Florida.

Texas A&M is No. 1 in the women’s poll. Kentucky is 37th, Louisville 42nd. LSU is the top-rated SEC team, No. 4.

                            MEN                                                     
    Team                     Conference                 Points                    

 1. Oregon                 (Pac-10)              278.52 
 2. Florida                 (SEC)                    265.86
 3. Florida State        (ACC)                   265.23
 4. Texas A&M          (Big 12)                 236.25
 5. Nebraska              (Big 12)               205.59
 6. Arizona State         (Pac-10)             187.09
 7. South Carolina       (SEC)                  172.25
 8. Arkansas               (SEC)                   169.58
 9. Texas                    (Big 12)               162.35
10. Stanford               (Pac-10)              162.10
11. Baylor                   (Big 12)               159.03
12. LSU                       (SEC)                  158.29
13. Auburn                 (SEC)                  149.12
14. Washington          (Pac-10)             137.66
15. Texas Tech          (Big 12)               120.31
16. Souther Cal         (Pac-10)              119.30
17. California            (Pac-10)               114.77
18. Minnesota           (Big Ten)              111.72
19. Brigham Young   (Mountain West)    94.94
20. Georgia               (SEC)                     93.64
21. Washington State (Pac-10)              91.25
22. Virginia Tech       (ACC)                     91.17
23. Liberty                 (Big South)           91.11
24. Missouri              (Big 12)                 90.43
25. KENTUCKY           (SEC)                   90.27

Other Kentucky and SEC teams — 27. Louisville (Big East), 79.85; 34. Tennessee, 68.73; 37. Western Kentucky (Sun Belt) 62.39; 43. Alabama, 54.34; 46. Mississippi State, 50.94; 71, Mississippi, 25.68; 146. Eastern Kentucky (Ohio Valley) 1.88.

                               WOMEN

 1. Texas A&M          (Big 12)              302.56
 2. Oregon                (Pac-10)            256.51
 3. Florida State        (ACC)                242.82
 4. LSU                      (SEC)                220.09
 5. Southern Cal       (Pac-10)            212.44
 6. Texas                  (Big 12)             192.53
 7. Arizona State      (Pac-10)            170.80
 8. Baylor                 (Big 12)               169.52
 9. Virginia Tech     (ACC)                     154.60
10. Brigham Young (Mountain West)   153.40
11. Michigan          (Big Ten)                150.96
12. Tennessee        (SEC)                    148.34
13. UCLA                (Pac-10)                146.00
14. Auburn             (SEC)                     126.52
15. Stanford           (Pac-10)                119.98
16. Miami, Fla.       (ACC)                     112.82
17. Washington     (Pac-10)                111.96
18. Nebraska         (Big 12)                 111.93
19. Oklahoma       (Big 12)                  111.81
20. Penn State       (Big Ten)               110.29
21. Minnesota       (Big Ten)                  95.52
22. Arkansas         (SEC)                       92.82
23. Texas Tech     (Big 12)                     89.26
24. SMU                (Conference USA)     88.60
25. Indiana           (Big Ten)                  86.12
Other Kentucky and SEC teams — 29. Florida, 71.01; 37. Kentucky, 59.25; 39. Mississippi, 55.93; 42. Louisville (Big East), 52.88; 53. South Carolina, 42.53; 60. Alabama, 37.76; 72. Georgia, 25.96; 73. Western Kentucky (Sun Belt), 24.58; 83. Mississippi State, 17.06.

Event-by-event leaders (plus Kentuckians in top 20)

                       MEN

Gavin Smellie

100 — Jacoby Ford (Clemson) 10.11; 13. Gavin Smellie (WKU) 10.29.
200 — Trey Harts (Baylor) 20.29; 6. Gavin Smellie (WKU) 20.58.
400 — Gil Roberts (Texas Tech) 45.27.
800 — Tevan Everett (Texas) 1:47.39.
1,500 — Matt Centrowitz (Oregon) 3:36.92.
5,000 — Brandon Bethke (Arizona State) 13:27.74.
10,000 — Sam Chelanga (Liberty) 27:28.48.
110 hurdles — Oma Osaghae (Texas Tech) 13.42.
400 hurdles — Jeshua Anderson (Washington State) 49.44.

Corey Thorne

3,000 steeplechase — Jake Morse (Texas) 8:34.57; 2. Corey Thorne (U of L) 8:39.19; 12. Matt Hughes (U of L) 8:47.36.
4-x-100 relay — Florida State 38.75; 17. WKU 39.93.
4-x-400 relay — Florida State 3:01.54; 8. UK 3:05.77.
High jump — (Tie) Trent Arrivey (Washington State) and Matt Fisher (Minnesota) 7-4 1/2; 13. Tone Belt (U of L) 7-1.
Pole vault — Jason Colwick (Rice) 18-9 1/4.
Long jump — Brian Chibudu (Florida State) 26-5; 4. Mandhla Mgijima (WKU) 25-11; 6. Rudon Bastian (U of L) 25-8.
Triple jump — Will Claye (Oklahoma) 55-3/4.
Shot put — Ryan Whiting (Arizona State) 66-11 1/2; 15. Steve Hnat (U of L) 60-6 1/2; 16. Rashaud Scott (UK) 60-3 3/4; 20. Chase Madison (UK) 59-11 1/4.
Discus — Rashaud Scott (UK) 212-9; 6. Chase Madison (UK) 196-7.
Hammer throw — Chris Rohr (Missouri) 235-11.
Javelin — Cyrus Hostetler (Oregon) 272-10.
Decathlon — Ashton Eaton (Oregon) 8,091.

                        WOMEN
100 — Alexandria Anderson (Texas) 11.09.
200 — Tiffany Townsend (Baylor) 22.63; 20. Miaie Williams (WKU) 23.43.
400 — Jessica Beard (Texas A&M) 51.52.
800 — Molly Beckwith (Indiana) 2:02.51.
1,500 — Jenny Barringer (Colorado) 4:08.38.

Janet Jesang

5,000 — Jenny Barringer (Colorado) 15:07.64; 10. Janet Jesang (WKU) 15:52.22.
10,000 — Lisa Koll (Iowa State) 32:43.85; 20. Janet Jesang (WKU) 34:08.18.
100 hurdles — Tiffany Ofili (Michigan) 12.82.
400 hurdles — Eric Cray (Bethune-Cookman) 51.80.
3,000 steeplechase — Nicole Bush (Michigan State) 9:39.38.
4-x-100 relay — Texas A&M 42.91.
4-x-400 relay — LSU 3:31.81; 20. WKU 3:37.43.
High jump — Destinee Hooker (Texas) 6-3 1/2; 11. Rachel Gehret (U of L) 5-11 1/4.
Pole vault — Natalie Willer (Nebraska) 14-4 1/2.
Long jump — Blessing Okagbare (UTEP) 22-6 1/4.
Triple jump — Kim Williams (Florida State) 44-9 3/4; 10. Seidre Forde (U of L) 42-11 3/4.

Ashley Muffet

Ashley Trimble

Shot put — Mariam Kevkhishvili (Florida) 59-2 1/4; 12. Ashley Muffet (UK) 53-4 1/2; 20. Khadija Abdullah (U of L) 52-2.
Discus — Annie Alexander (Tennessee) 188-9; 3. Ashley Muffet (UK) 187-8; 13. Jere’ Summers (U of L) 173-8; 17. Emilee Strot (UK) 171-2.
Hammer throw — Eva Orban (Southern Cal) 226-10; 11. Jere’ Summers (U of L) 199-10; 13. Kristin Smith (UK) 199-2.
Javelin — Kara Patterson (Purdue) 191-7.
Heptathlon — Brianne Theisen (Oregon) 5,986; 20. Ashley Trimble (UK) 5,438.

Thanks to Jonathan Grooms, Carlisle County coach, for providing this week’s KYtrackXC.com rankings of state high school track and field teams.

Class AAA Boys - Team Rankings                    
===============================================================================
   1) Male 76.5; 2) St. Xavier 66; 3) Louisville Ballard 39; 4) North Hardin 36; 5) Henry Clay 34; 6) Oldham County 33; 7) Daviess County 31.5; 8 ) Christian County 30.3; 9) John Hardin 29; 10) Owensboro 28.   

Class AAA Girls – Team Rankings                   
===============================================================================
   1) Owensboro 75; 2) Butler 56; 3) Louisville Ballard 51.5; 4) Fern Creek 45; 5) Sacred Heart 43; 6) Paul Dunbar 40; 7) Eastern 33; 8 ) Campbell County 32; 9) Male 31; 10) duPont Manual 29.

Class AA Girls – Team Rankings                   
===============================================================================
   1) Central 73.5; 2) Lloyd Memorial 71; 3) Rockcastle County 56; 4) Trigg County 53.5; 5) Highlands 43.5; 6) (tie) South Oldham and Boyle County 37; 8 ) West Jessamine 34; 9) (tie) Casey County and Elizabethtown 26.

National Collegiate rankings

MEN

WOMEN

Event rankings

Corey Thorne

Rashaud Scott

MEN

100 meters — 21. Justin Austin (UK) 10.35.

200 — 25. Jose Acevedo (UK) 20.80.

Steeplechase — 2. Corey Thorne (U of L) 8:39.19; 12. Matt Hughes (U of L) 8:47.36; 24. Stanley Mugo (EKU) 8:52.07.

4-by-100 relay — 19. UK (A. Williams, B. Austin, J. Austin, J. Acevedo) 40.03.

4-by-400 relay — 8. UK (B. Austin, J. Austin, K. Obeng, J. Acevedo) 3:05.77.

High jump — 11. Tone Belt (U of L) 7-1.

Long jump — 4. Rudon Bastian (U of L) 25-8.

Shot put — 14. Steve Hnat (U of L) 60-6 1/2; 15. Rashaud Scott (UK) 60-3 3/4; 20. Chase Madison (UK) 59-11 1/4.

Discus — 1. Rashaud Scott (UK) 212-9; 6. Chase Madison (UK) 196-7.

 

Janet Jesang

Ashley Muffet

WOMEN

5,000 — 10. Janet Jesang (WKU)15:52.22.

10,000 — 20. Janet Jesang (WKU)34:08.18.

4-by-400 relay — 20. WKU (M. Williams, S. Smith, K. Morrison, A. Brown) 3:37.43.

High jump — 10. Rachel Gehret (U of L) 5-11 1/4.

Long jump — 23. Rachel Gehret (U of L) 20-5 1/4.

Triple jump — 10. Seidre Forde (U of L) 42-11 3/4.

Shot put — 11. Ashley Muffet(UK) 53-4 1/2; 20. Khadija Abdullah (U of L) 52-2; 23. Jere’ Summers (U of L) 51-11 1/4.

Discus — 3. Ashley Muffet (UK) 187-8; 10. Jere’ Summers (U of L) 173-8; 16. Emilee Strot (UK) 171-2.

Hammer throw — 11. Jere’ Summers (U of L) 199-10; 13. Kristin Smith (UK) 199-2.

Heptathlon — 18. Ashley Trimble (UK) 5,438; 21. Danielle Sampley (UK) 5,477 (pre-season mark).