Cats Hit Solo Homers in 9th & 10th innings to Defeat NC State 5-4 in College World Series

Kentucky's Mitchell Daly jumps for joy after hitting a game-winning home run Saturday in College World Series. (UK Athletics Photo)

OMAHA, Neb. – Having just seen a teammate thrown out trying to steal his way into scoring position and down to a final strike, Mitchell Daly blasted a hanging slider into the Kentucky bullpen to give the Wildcats a 5-4, 10-inning victory at Charles Schwab Stadium in their first-ever College World Series game.

The Cats now will face the winner of Texas A&M and Florida on Monday night.

Having seen a 3-1 sixth inning lead turn into a 4-3 deficit and down to their final three outs, Kentucky rose from the ashes yet again in this magical season. Ryan Nicholson escorted a pitch just inside the LF pole to tie the game before Daly, a MCWS veteran from his time at Texas, connected for the winner, sending a delirious dugout streaming onto the diamond.

UK now has set the school record for victories in a season with 46.

Nolan McCarthy had a two-run home run and Trey Pooser delivered 6.2 strong innings to keep the Cats in good position. Johnny Hummel earned the victory on the mound. 

NOTES

·         Kentucky now is 46-14 in 2024.

• 46 wins sets the most in school history (2012).

• Kentucky is 27-11 in day games.

• Kentucky is 1-0 all-time at the MCWS.

·         The attendance was 24,488.

·         Kentucky is 6-0 in the 2024 NCAA Tournament.

·         Kentucky’s pitchers have allowed eight runs over the last 49 innings.

·         Kentucky now has won 18 games this season vs. ranked opponents.

·         UK Coach Nick Mingione is in his eighth season at the helm and now owns a 262-164 career record. 

o    Mingione now is the second-winningest coach in school history.

o    UK is 14-6 in the NCAA Tournament under Mingione. 

• Senior Trey Pooser completed 6.2 innings, allowing three runs on nine hits.

• In the NCAA Tournament he has allowed four runs in 20.2 IP.

• Junior Nolan McCarthy went 2-for-3 with a run, two RBI, a walk and home run.

• Senior Ryan Nicholson went 3-for-4 with two runs and a solo home run.

• Senior Mitchell Daly had two hits, including the game-winning home run.

MCWS FIRST (KENTUCKY HISTORY)

BATTING:

Hit – Emilien Pitre (Double)

Run – Emilien Pitre

RBI – Nick Lopez (RBI Single)

Home Run – Nolan McCarthy (2-run, LF)

SAC – Devin Burkes

PITCHING:

Pitch – Trey Pooser

Strikeout – Trey Pooser (swinging)

Double Play – 3-6-3 (Ryan Nicholson-Grant Smith-Ryan Nicholson)

ON DECK

Kentucky will face the winner of Texas A&M and Florida on Monday night.