Kentucky Drops Two Spots to No. 15 in New D1Baseball Poll

Kentucky Drops Two Spots to No. 15 in New D1Baseball Poll

After claiming top-10 status just a few weeks ago, Kentucky baseball has had a slow drop down the rankings thanks to three consecutive SEC series losses. That continued on Monday, when the new D1Baseball Poll released, showcasing a two-spot drop to No. 15 for the Bat Cats. 

Following a 13-2 drubbing of Xavier to stay perfect in the midweeks, UK had a disappointing weekend at Kentucky Proud Park, dropping both ends of a doubleheader versus unranked Texas A&M. Head coach Nick Mingione challenged his team to avoid a sweep on Sunday, in which they responded with an 8-1 win to salvage some momentum from the series. 

The 2-2 week led to the short fall to No. 15, though UK is still one of seven SEC teams ranked as the final stretch of the 2023 regular season swings on in:

• No. 1 LSU
• No. 3 South Carolina
• No. 4 Florida
• No. 5 Vanderbilt
• No. 7 Arkansas
• No. 15 Kentucky
• No. 24 Tennessee

The week ahead for Kentucky features four games against ranked opponents. First up in the midweek is a date with No. 21 Louisville at KPP on Tuesday, April 25. The Cardinals took a big nine-spot drop in the new poll after an 0-4 week that saw a loss to Indiana, then three one-run losses on the road at now-No. 20 Duke. 

Following the rivalry showdown, Kentucky will get back on the road for three games in Nashville at No. 5 Vanderbilt, which was just swept by Tennessee in emphatic fashion. Currently 30-9 (11-7 SEC), Kentucky will face a ranked SEC foe in each of its final four series, hosting No. 3 South Carolina and No. 4 Florida, while also traveling to Tennessee in the middle of May. 

The gauntlet continues to heat up as the postseason approaches. 

Shortstop Grant Smith named to Brooks Wallace Award Watch List

More on Kentucky's perfect run of midweek games HERE.

Stock Report: Kentucky earning national respect after LSU series

More on Kentucky's series against LSU HERE.

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