Kentucky Bursts Back Into D1Baseball Top 25 After Sweep of South Carolina

What a difference a weekend makes.

After sputtering through most of April and the beginning of May, Kentucky had seen the number next to its name slowly get bigger, until it vanished. Once reaching No. 10, the Cats fell out of the rankings after getting swept by Vanderbilt in Nashville, their fourth consecutive SEC series loss.

Needing a spark, UK welcomed then-No. 3 South Carolina to Kentucky Proud Park this past weekend. The Gamecocks entered coming off a series loss at home to unranked Auburn and were feeling the burn of having multiple starters out due to injury. Bookended by masterful pitching performances while forcing multiple defensive miscues, the Wildcats found a humongous trio of wins, sweeping SC.

As a result, head coach Nick Mingione's squad now has a number next to its name once again. The Cats rank No. 17 in the latest D1Baseball Top 25 Poll and are one of seven SEC ballclubs ranked with just two weeks left in the regular season:

No. 2 LSU
No. 3 Arkansas
No. 5 Vanderbilt
No. 6 South Carolina
No. 7 Florida
No. 17 Kentucky
No. 23 Tennessee

It was a wild weekend in the Southeastern Conference, as Arkansas and UK are the only two teams listed above that won a series last weekend. LSU fell to Auburn, Vanderbilt to Alabama, Florida to Texas A&M and Tennessee to Georgia.

The Volunteers dropped five spots to No. 23 and will now host the Wildcats this weekend for another crucial series in Knoxville. UT is in a similar spot to UK, in that it's doing what it can to try and host a Regional in the NCAA Tournament. Kentucky (14-10) is currently ahead of the Vols (12-12) in the SEC East.

Before heading to Tennessee, the Cats will play host for one final midweek game, welcoming Tennessee Tech to Kentucky Proud Park on Tuesday, May 9. The Golden Eagles own a midweek win over Tennessee this season. First pitch is set for 6:30 p.m. and will air on SEC Network+.

COLUMN: Thoughts on Kentucky's sweep of No. 3 South Carolina

How UK needs to finish to make the NCAA Tournament

Two Wildcats named 2024 MLB Draft Prospects

Hunter Gilliam: From Longwood Walk-On to Kentucky's Captain

Shortstop Grant Smith named to Brooks Wallace Award Watch List

Want the latest on national football and basketball recruiting, including Cats targets? Head over to SI All-American for the latest news, blogs, and updates about the nation's best prospects.

Sports Illustrated also offers insight, information and up to the minute details for gamblers. Check it out here.