Deep Dive into Kentucky Baseball's 2024 Schedule (Non-Conference)

We’re just under a month from the start of the 2024 Kentucky Baseball season.

Nick Mingione and Co. look to make back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances for the first time ever.

The Bat ‘Cats will play 16 non-conference opponents in 2024 (nine at home, five on the road, and three on neutral field).

Let’s take a look at all 16 non-conference opponents that the ‘Cats will look to knock off prior to/after the start of their grueling SEC gauntlet.

Feb. 16-18: at South Carolina-Upstate

The Bat ‘Cats kick off their 2024 campaign on the road at South Carolina-Upstate.

The USC-Upstate Spartans belong to the Big South Conference, where they finished 38-22 (21-6 BSouth) last season. They made it all the way to the Big South Championship Game, where they lost to Columbia Regional runner-up Campbell 3-2.

The Spartans return First Team All-Big South Conference selection INF Grant Sherrod Jr. (.335 BA, 15 HR, 66 RBI) and two Second Team All-Big South Conference selections in OF Jace Rinehart (.310 BA, 8 2B, 32 RBI) and RHP Jake Cubbler (4-0, 1.51 ERA, 41.2 IP). RHP Mathieu Curtis and RHP Braden Consaul were named to the Big South All-Freshman Team.

Upstate experienced a big loss over the offseason, as First Team All-Big South Conference selection RHP Reese Dutton transferred to Kansas. In just one season in Spartansburg, Dutton started in 15 games, compiling a 10-3 W-L record with a 3.29 ERA.

Mike McGuire returns for his fifth season at USC-Upstate, where the Spartans have compiled a 123-65-1 overall record. McGuire coached at Morehead State prior to his current stint in Spartansburg.

McGuire’s squad picked up some quality victories in 2023 over teams such as Northwestern, Clemson, Cincinnati, and No. 9 Campbell. An experienced Spartans squad could make their first ever postseason appearance (D1) in 2024.

Feb. 20: vs Morehead State

Kentucky will play Morehead State for the third consecutive season in their home opener at Kentucky Proud Park.

Morehead State plays in the Ohio Valley Conference. The Eagles had an impressive 2023 campaign, as they claimed their first OVC Regular Season title since 1979. They finished with a 36-20 (16-7 OVC) record, but were however quickly ousted from the OVC Tournament by Eastern Illinois.

A great crop of talent returns to Morehead in 2024, led by 2023 OVC Player of the Year OF Ryley Preece (.335 BA, 21 HR, 53 RBI). All-OVC First Team OF Roman Kuntz (.304 BA, 15 2B, 54 RBI) reunites with Preece in the outfield, as All-OVC Second Teamer’s 2B Nick Gooden (.262 BA, 8 2B, 38 RBI), SS Colton Becker (.332 BA, 17 2B, 51 RBI), and RHP Luke Helton (7-2, 5.10 ERA, 77.2 IP) return as well. OF Carter Owens and RHP Luke Lyman were named to the OVC All-Freshman Team, but Lyman transferred to West Virginia in the offseason.

The Eagles will be led by first-year head coach Brady Ward, as reigning OVC Coach of the Year Mik Aoki was named the head coach at the University of Richmond on June 22, 2023.

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Feb. 23: vs Washington State (Karbach Round Rock Classic)

The Wildcats will meet the Cougars in the first game of the Karbach Round Rock Classic, located in Round Rock, Texas.

Washington State finished with a 29-23 (10-19 Pac-12) record in 2023, failing to make the Pac-12 Baseball Tournament.

Two Cougar players were named 2023 Pac-12 All-Conference, but neither will be returning in 2024.

Washington State will be under new leadership in 2024, as former Kentucky assistant coach Brian Green left Wazzu after four seasons to become the new head coach at Wichita State. His replacement is Nathan Choate, who spent the last four seasons at Loyola Marymount. He compiled an 85-103-1 overall record at LMU.

2024 seems to be a rebuilding season for the Washington State Cougars.

Feb. 24: vs Texas State (Karbach Round Rock Classic)

The Bat ‘Cats will have a date with the Texas State Bobcats on the second day of the Karbach Round Rock Classic.

Texas State plays in the Sun Belt Conference, where they boasted a 36-23 (17-13 SBC) record in 2023. As a No. 5 seed in the Sun Belt Tournament, they won just one game before being eliminated by tournament runner-up Louisiana.

RHP Levi Wells was the only Bobcat player selected to the All-Sun Belt Second Team, just months before he was drafted in the fourth round of the 2023 MLB Draft by the Los Angeles Angels.

Texas State racked up some impressive victories in 2023, including wins over Northwestern, No. 11 TCU, No. 25 Southern Miss, and No. 19 Texas.

Coach Steven Trout will return for his fifth season in San Marcos, where the Bobcats have won 61% of their games (118-77) since he took over in 2020. Under Trout, Texas State made an NCAA Tournament appearance in 2022.

Feb. 25: vs Kansas (Karbach Round Rock Classic)

The two winningest college basketball programs of all time will meet on the diamond in the final game of the Karbach Round Rock Classic.

The Jayhawks had a rough go-around in 2023, finishing with a sub .500 25-32 record (8-16 B12). Although they knocked off No. 13 Texas in the first game of the Big 12 Tournament, they were dominated by TCU and Kansas State in the following days, ending their season.

The core of All-Big 12 First Team selection OF Janson Reeder (.276 BA, 12 HR, 45 RBI) and Second Team selections INF/C Kodey Shojinaga and OF Chase Jans (.314 BA, 13 2B, 50 RBI) return for another season in Lawrence. Shojinaga was named Co-Freshman of the Year in the Big 12 after slashing a blistering .378 BA in his first season of college baseball.

The Jayhawks bring in the No. 9 ranked Transfer Class (D1Baseball) in college baseball, headlined by New Mexico transfer OF Lenny Ashby (.341 BA with 17 home runs in 2021), Wichita State transfer RHP Grant Adler (5-4, 2.55 in 14 starts last season), and USC’s Upstate’s Reese Dutton, who was previously mentioned.

D1Baseball’s Aaron Fitt spoke highly of the Jayhawks in his 2023 Fall Report, stating that they “feel like a roster that can make a serious run at a regional in Fitzgerald’s second year at the helm.”

Head coach Dan Fitzgerald will embark on his second season with the Jayhawks.

Feb. 27: vs Western Kentucky

The newest Kentucky baseball OF Ty Crittenberger will be facing his former team when the Hilltoppers come to Lexington on February 27.

Western Kentucky finished the 2023 season with a 33-26 (16-14 C-USA) record in Conference-USA. They were the No. 4 seed in the Conference-USA Tournament but were eliminated by No. 17 ranked Dallas Baptist in the semi-finals.

The Hilltoppers were dealt a tough hand in the offseason, as C-USA All-Freshman Team selection OF Lukas Farris transferred to Georgia along with Crittenberger’s transfer to Kentucky. RHP Dawson Hall, who was named All-Freshman and Second Team All-Conference, is returning to Bowling Green for his second season of college baseball. Hall sported a 7-4 W-L record with a 3.58 ERA over 65.1 IP last season.

Head coach Marc Rardin returns to the Hill for his second season in charge. Rardin’s immediate success comes to no surprise, as he built a dynasty at Iowa Western CC Reivers prior to his hiring in 2023. In 20 seasons at the JUCO, Rardin won three JUCO National Championships with a dominant 934-252 (79%) record.

March 1-3: vs Lipscomb

A feisty Lipscomb team that knocked off then ranked No. 18 Louisville AT Louisville last season will visit Kentucky Proud Park as the calendar flips to March.

The Bisons finished with a 36-26 (23-7 A-Sun) record in 2023, winning the A-Sun Championship to advance to postseason play. They landed in the Clemson Regional, where they were swiftly eliminated by the Tigers and Charlotte in two games. However, they notched just their third-ever postseason appearance in team history.

Lipscomb LHP Logan Van Treeck was named the 2023 A-Sun Player of the Year but will not be returning to school for his senior season. The lefty was drafted by the Cincinnati Reds in the ninth round of the 2023 MLB Draft. SS Caleb Ketchup, who was an A-Sun Second Team All-Conference selection, was drafted in the 15th round of the 2023 MLB Draft.

The Bisons do however return a good crop of talent, led by A-Sun First Team All-Conference selection C Austin Kelly (.294 BA, 21 HR, 62 RBI), A-Sun Second Team All-Conference selections LHP Hayden Frank (3-2, 2.40 ERA, 41.1 IP) and 3B Trace Willhoite (.309 BA, 17 HR, 66 RBI), and ASUN Third Team All-Conference selection OF Alex Vergara (.289 BA, 23 HR, 50 RBI).

Head coach Jeff Forehand returns for his 18th season, where he is 457-467 at Lipscomb. The Bisons however have gone 71-49 over the last two seasons, netting Foreheand back-to-back A-Sun Coach of the Year honors.

March 5-6: at Eastern Kentucky

The ‘Cats will make the short drive to Richmond for a two-game series with Eastern Kentucky in early March.

The Colonels also belong to the ASUN Conference, where Lipscomb has reigned king as of late. EKU finished with a 29-30 (15-15 A-Sun) record in 2023, just below .500.

Eastern had just one player net A-Sun honors last season, with C Will King making A-Sun Second Team All-Conference. King however was drafted in the 20th round of the 2023 MLB Draft by the Atlanta Braves, ending his college career.

RHP Chase Alderman, who went to Rowan County HS, mightily impressed in his first season of college in 2023. The freshman went 2-4 with two saves and a 4.43 ERA while striking out 43 batters in 44.2 innings. For his efforts, Alderman was named to the A-Sun All-Freshman Team.

INF Miguel Larreal (.332 BA, 34 RBI), OF DJ Sullivan (.287 BA, 39 RBI), and INF Conner Davis (.230 BA) are among their most skilled returning offensive players.

Head coach Chris Prothro looks to get things back on track in Richmond, as the Colonels experienced a nine-win decline in 2023.

March 8-10: vs Kennesaw State

Kentucky will face their third straight A-Sun opponent when the Kennesaw State Owls come to Lexington on March 8.

The Owls will be entering their 18th season of D1 baseball in 2024. They have reached the NCAA Tournament twice (2014 & 2022), making a trip to a Super Regional in 2014. Kennesaw had a down season in 2023, finishing with a 25-29 (14-16 A-Sun) record. They were left out of the 2023 A-Sun Tournament.

OF Spencer Hanson, who slugged a .369 BA with 15 home runs last season, was named 2023 A-Sun Third Team All-Conference. He will be Kennesaw’s best player, but maybe not the most exciting. Electric OF Jamarie Brooks returns for his second year after being named to the 2024 ASUN All-Freshman Team. Brooks hit .300 with three home runs and five doubles in 30 starts last season. The Owl outfield is legit.

Ryan Coe, who was an assistant coach for Kennesaw from 1997-2009 before becoming a scout for the Texas Rangers in 2010, returned home to take control of the program in 2021. Over his first two seasons at the helm, the Owls are 61-57 with an NCAA Tournament appearance.

March 12: vs Murray State

The Racers make the trip to Kentucky Proud Park just three days before Kentucky’s SEC opener at home against Georgia.

Murray State was just over .500 in 2023 with a 31-28 (14-13 MVC) record. The Racers made it to the MVC Tournament semi-finals, where they were ousted by Missouri State.

All-MVC First Team OF Dustin Mercer and All-MVC Second Team SS Drew Vogel return to Murray for another season. Mercer was one of the best players in the entire MVC last season, batting .329 with 12 doubles, 11 home runs, and 41 RBI. Vogel returns as one of the best infielders in the conference, coming off a season in which he hit for .297 with 14 doubles and 46 RBI.

Kentucky defeated Murray State 6-2 last March at Kentucky Proud Park. Émilien Pitre homered and knocked in two RBI in the win.

Head coach Dan Skirka will lead the Racers for the sixth consecutive season in 2024. Under Skirka, Murray has enjoyed three consecutive 30-win seasons for the first time as a member of the Missouri Valley Conference.

March 19: vs Evansville

Sandwiched between Kentucky’s first two SEC series of the season will be the Evansville Purple Aces on March 19.

The Purple Aces are also a member of the Missouri Valley Conference, where they finished with a 37-24 (15-12 MVC) record in 2023. Evansville fell just one game short of an NCAA Tournament appearance last season, falling to Indiana State 6-0 in the MVC Tournament Championship game.

Evansville returns two 2023 All-MVC First Team selections in 1B Chase Hug (.315 BA, 14 HR, 55 RBI) and 2B Kip Fougerousse (.300 BA). They also return SS Simon Scherry and RHP Nick Smith (2022 MVC Pitcher of the Year), who were All-MVC Honorable Mentions. Hug and Scherry (.973 FLD%) were also named to the All-MVC Defensive Team.

Evansville played at Kentucky last February, where they were handled by the ‘Cats 6-3. James McCoy tripled and drove in an RBI.

Wes Carroll will be coaching his 16th season at Evansville. Under his leadership, the Purple Aces have accrued a 389-408 overall record.

March 26: vs Miami (OH)

The Bat ‘Cats will get their first and only taste of MACtion when they host the Miami (OH) Redhawks on March 26.

It was a down season for the Redhawks in 2023, as Miami (OH) finished with a 21-35 (13-17 MAC) record. They did not qualify for the 2023 MAC Tournament.

Just two Miami (OH) players received 2023 All-MAC honors, but RHP Kenton Egbert and LHP Connor Oliver turned pro and will not be returning to school. SS Cooper Weiss was selected to the MAC All-Defensive Team, but transferred to Auburn in the offseason.

Brian Smiley, who had been an associate head coach at Indiana State, was hired as the new head coach at Miami (OH) on June 10, 2023. 2024 looks to be a rebuilding season for the Redhawks.

April 2 and 16: Louisville

Kentucky and Louisville were scheduled to play twice in 2023, but the April 11 matchup at Louisville was canceled due to a tragedy in the city just days before. The Cardinals won last season’s only meeting against the No. 10 ranked Wildcats 7-0 in Lexington.

It has been a weird few seasons for the Cardinals, as they’ve uncharacteristically missed three of the last four NCAA Tournaments, including the one that was canceled in 2020 due to COVID. Prior to 2020, Louisville had made the NCAA Tournament in eight consecutive seasons. They made four College World Series appearances in that time.

Head coach Dan McDonnell looks to get things back on track to where they had been prior to the pandemic. In McDonnell’s 17 seasons at Louisville, the Cardinals have a stellar win % of .699 (710-306-1). With a 31-24 (10-20 ACC) record in 2023, they missed the ACC Tournament completely, ending their season on May 20.

RHP Carson Liggett (7-2, 3.42 ERA, 71.0 IP) and SS Christian Knapczyk (.331 BA, 8 2B, 24 RBI) were the lone Cardinals to receive All-ACC honors in 2023. McDonnell and staff have however brought in a crop of talented transfer arms in Wright State LHP Sebastian Gongora (10-1, 3.25 ERA, 88.2 IP) and D2 Lewis College RHP Jake Karaba (7-2, 1.62 ERA, 66.2 IP)

Gongora threw five one-hit innings last season in Wright State’s 8-3 upset victory over Kentucky.

The ‘Cats and Cards will meet on April 2 in Lexington and April 16 in Louisville.

April 9: at Samford

The ‘Cats will meet three consecutive teams from the state of Alabama in the meat of their schedule when they face Samford on April 9, two days following the conclusion of their series with Alabama and two days prior to their series with Auburn.

The Samford Bulldogs are coming off a great 2023 campaign, in which the Bulldogs finished with a 37-25 (15-6 SoCon) record. Samford won the 2023 SoCon Tournament, punching their ticket to the NCAA Tournament. They landed in Auburn Regional, where they lasted three games before being eliminated by No. 13 Southern Miss.

Samford nearly swept SoCon honors, as RHP Jacob Cravey was named SoCon Pitcher of the Year, OF Lucas Steele (.315 BA, 16 HR, 51 RBI) was named SoCon Freshman of the Year, and coach Tony David was named SoCon Coach of the Year. Cravey was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in the 2023 MLB Draft.

Breakout 2B Jayden Davis (.358 BA, 13 2B, 38 RBI) was named First Team All-SoCon and SoCon All-Freshman in 2023, but transferred to Vanderbilt in the offseason. Davis was ranked the No. 15 SEC transfer by D1Baseball.

The Bulldogs do however return INF John Anderson Jr (.271 BA, 22 HR, 60 RBI), who was named Second Team All-SoCon.

Reigning SoCon Coach of the Year Tony David enters his third year at Samford, where he’s lead the Bulldogs to a 65-54 record.

May 7: at Xavier

The ‘Cats and the Musketeers will meet for the second consecutive season in 2024. Kentucky run-ruled Xavier 13-2 in Lexington last season.

That blowout loss to the ‘Cats was one of Xavier’s few bumps in the road in 2023, as the Muskies finished with a great 39-25 (14-7 BE) record. Xavier earned a No. 2 seed in the Big East Tournament, where they ran the gauntlet and knocked off UConn in the championship game. They landed in the Nashville Regional, where they shocked Vanderbilt before eventually falling in the Regional Final to Oregon.

The Muskies were well represented in the Big East year-end honors, as eight players were named All-Big East. Those returning to Xavier in 2024 include First Team selection C Matthew DePrey (.278 BA, 14 HR, 42 RBI) and Second Team selections 2B Jared Cushing (.284 BA, 14 HR, 50 RBI), 1B Matt McCormick (.309 BA, 14 HR, 44 RBI), and 3B Grant Stephenson (.236 BA, 10 2B, 29 RBI).

In six seasons at Xavier, Billy O’Conner has coached the Muskies to a 52-54 record. Xavier will be looking to make a deeper run in the NCAA Tournament in 2024.

May 14: vs Wright State

Kentucky will wrap up its 2024 non-conference slate with Wright State.

The Raiders enter the 2024 season riding three consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances. Wright State went 39-23 (22-8 HL) in 2023, dominating Milwaukee and Oakland en route to their third straight Horizon League Tournament Championship. They landed in the Terre Haute Regional, where they were quickly ousted by Indiana State and North Carolina.

Wright State came into Lexington in 2023 and took a series against the ‘Cats, winning the first game of the series 8-3 and the third game 15-0. The Raiders are legit.

LHP Sebastian Gongora, who was named 2023 Horizon League Pitcher of the Year, transferred to Louisville in the offseason. The Raiders however do return a ton of talent in 2024, as All-Horizon League First Teamers C Sammy Sass (.291 BA, 11 2B, 41 RBI), OF Andrew Patrick (.323 BA, 20 HR, 58 RBI), OF Jay Luikart (.295 BA, 11 HR, 42 RBI), and RHP Jake Shirk (5-4, 4.68 ERA, 77.0 IP) will all be returning in 2024.

Wright State is no doubt the favorite to four-peat in the Horizon League.

Head coach Alex Sogard has excelled in five seasons at Wright State, as the Raiders have tallied a 152-99 record in that time.