Special UK Baseball Weekend Set to Celebrate Cliff Hagan Stadium History
LEXINGTON, Ky. – The Kentucky baseball program will celebrate the final regular season weekend in Cliff Hagan Stadium’s history this week with special recognitions, ceremonial pitches, Senior Night and much more as the Wildcats’ home of 50 years prepares to close its gates at the conclusion of this season.
Beginning Friday night, “The Cliff” will be sent out in style as the No. 17 Wildcats -- who are coming off a 7-6 road victory over No. 19 Indiana Tuesday evening -- host Mississippi State for a critical three-game series with both clubs posting an 11-13 SEC mark. UK’s five seniors will be honored in a pregame ceremony with fireworks to follow the game.
On Saturday, the 1988 Elite Team reunion will take center stage, as coach Keith Madison and players from the club that fell just one win short of the College World Series are honored with pregame recognition.
Prior to Sunday’s final regular season game at the facility, 50 years of UK coaches are set to throw out the first pitch, including current head coach Nick Mingione and former coaches John Cohen, Gary Henderson, Jordan “Tuffy” Horne (his son, Steve, will do the honors), Madison and Dick Parsons.
In thanks to the Big Blue Nation that has filled “The Cliff” through its history, fans will be able to throw a ceremonial last pitch from the pitcher’s mound after the game, with the first 3,000 receiving a “ceremonial” baseball.
The Cats, now 31-17, will move into their new $49 million home along Alumni Dr. later this summer. The state-of-the-art stadium also will house the team offices, locker/team rooms and practice facilities.
Game times for the weekend are 7:30 p.m. (Friday), 5 p.m. (Saturday) and 3 p.m. (Sunday). All times are eastern.
UK Athletics Photo