A look at Kentucky baseball as SEC play begins

With all non-conference series complete and SEC play beginning on Friday against Alabama, it's a good time to evaluate the Kentucky baseball season so far.

For the most part, Kentucky has taken care of business against a soft schedule. Kentucky swept weekend series against UNC Greensboro, St. John's and The Citadel, and took two out of three on the road against Evansville. The Wildcats swept a home-and-home series with in-state foe EKU and won every other midweek game outside of an 8-6 loss to Morehead State in the home opener.

The Wildcats are 15-2 on the season after a 10-3 win over Ball State on Tuesday night, but the real portion of the schedule has arrived. Let's take a look at the season to date.

Injuries have played a role

Sophomore shortstop Tyler Bell's shoulder injury in the season-opener at UNC Greensboro was the biggest storyline of the early season. His official status was designated as "out indefinitely" following the injury, but Bell returned on March 6 against The Citadel after missing 12 games. He's only served as a DH since returning – there's not yet been an update on when he could return to the field – but he's remained as a switch-hitter despite the injury to his left shoulder.

Still, his presence in the lineup was felt immediately over the weekend. Bell went 5-9 against The Citadel, including a double and a homer on Friday night in his first game back. Bell is slashing .467/.667/.733 in a limited sample size this season.

But Bell hasn't been the only starter to miss time. Senior third baseman Tyler Cerny was off to a hot start but has been sidelined for eight straight games with a hamstring injury. Kentucky coach Nick Mingione said Cerny is close to returning, but he hasn't started a game since Feb. 27 against St. John's. He hit his first homer of the season in that game. Cerny pinch-hit during Sunday's game but hasn't played since. Freshman Caeden Cloud – more on him later – has filled in nicely at third base during his absence.