Kentucky vs. LSU Super Regional opener delayed by weather

Kentucky vs. LSU in Game 1 of the Baton Rouge Super Regional has been delayed due to inclement weather in the area, the teams have announced. First pitch was slated for 3 p.m. ET but will be forced to move back.

“With storms containing lightning in the area, we will not start on time this afternoon. More info as it becomes available,” Kentucky baseball wrote in a statement on Twitter. LSU mirrored their statement.

When play resumes, ESPN will carry the national broadcast.

Nick Mingione compares Super Regional vs. LSU to SEC series

Kentucky is gearing up for its second Super Regional series in program history after coming out victorious in the Lexington Regional last weekend. 

They’re set to face the star-studded LSU lineup in Baton Rouge for a series with College World Series stakes on the line. Ahead of the matchup, UK head coach Nick Mingione praised the Tigers’ efforts this season, comparing the feeling of this weekend’s matchups to the conference series between the two teams back in April.

“It almost feels like another SEC weekend,” Mingione said ahead of the Super Regional series. “You’ve got to do anything you can to win that series. Obviously, if you don’t, your season is over. 

“As we continue to watch video and see how the players have changed — if you look at our team now compared to [the first series], and their team now and then — some guys get better, some guys get hot, some guys slow down. … as we continue to watch video and study them, then we can set up our point of attack.”

Kentucky’s offense, which struggled during the first two days of the Lexington Regional, was lights out in Baton Rouge earlier this season. The Wildcats scored 25 total runs during the initial series but was only enough to avoid the sweep. LSU defeated Mingione’s squad 16-6 on the first day and 7-6 during the series finale. Kentucky won a 13-10 game two shootout.

During UK’s series against LSU, which took place from April 13-15, the bat Cat lineup from the 4-2 Lexington Reigonal final win over Indiana fared well against the then-No. 1-ranked Tigers. The finals stats went as followed:

Jackson Gray: 5-12, 1 RBI, 6 R
Jase Felker: 3-11, 1 RBI, 3 R
Devin Burkes: 3-13, 1 RBI, 3 R
Émilien Pitre: 7-12, 5 RBI, 4 R
Hunter Gilliam: 3-11, 3 RBI, 2 R
Reuben Church: 0-1
Ryan Waldschmidt: 3-12, 3 RBI
Nolan McCarthy: 2-10, 5 RBI, 4 R
Grant Smith: 1-10, 1 RBI