Kentucky Advances to Super Regional For First Time

[Matt Dillon]

LEXINGTON, Ky. – The Kentucky Baseball team had waited 121 years for this moment, so a couple extra hours didn’t seem to matter all that much.

The top-seeded Wildcats roared from behind to defeat NC State, 10-5, and advance to the first Super Regional in program history. The victory was extra sweet, as the Cats won three consecutive elimination games, including back-to-back nights over the third-seeded Wolfpack.

“They have just done something that has never been done in the history of the baseball program and we’ve been playing baseball over 100 years here,” UK coach Nick Mingione said. “They’re going to be able to tell their kids, their families, their wives and hopefully the baseball thing works out and they will be able to play 10 years in the big leagues. But, if it doesn’t and they go into business – I promise this equips them.

“This goes way deeper than just baseball. This makes them believe that they can do things that have never been done before – and that’s really powerful.”

http://www.ukathletics.com/news/kentucky-advances-to-super-regional-for-first-time-06-06-2017

Congrats men, let's keep it going at Louisville. Give coach M. a raise.

[Blue Heaven]

Not a baseball guy but happy for the team. I kept up with the game while at work last night. I would love nothing more than to roll into Louisville and win two games.

[KevinHall]

Great win for Kentucky baseball. I couldn't stay up to watch it since it got a late start. It sounded like a great game. This is the first time UK has got a Super Regional since the NCAA has gone to that format. UK did get to a regional final back in the 80's under the old format. They were an out or two away from advancing to the CWS but couldn't close out Stanford. IIRC a Stanford player hit a grand slam to win the game and send the series to the next day. Stanford crushed UK the next day. But anyway UK got the bats going at the right time and Hjelle got a three inning save to close out the game. He struck out the side in the 9th.
UK goes to Louisville this weekend. It will either start Friday or Saturday. Louisville has been one of the best teams in the nation the last few years. They have a prospect,McKay, who should go in the top three in the draft next week. The Reds may very well take him. He's a good pitcher and hitter. They also have two others that will probably go in the top 125 of the draft. No easy task for UK this weekend but you never know. All it takes in baseball is some hot pitching combined with timely hitting and just about anybody can win.

[Lighthouse]

Congratulations BatCats!! I couldn't stay up and watch the whole game but was very happy to see the win this morning. Now on to Louisville and take care of business.

[catfaninin]

This was a fun game to watch. Back and forth, lead changes. The top of the 4th for UK was really intense. Players arguing with umpires. Both managers arguing with umpires. Players hit by pitch. Collisions at first base. UK went from 2-0 down to 4-2 ahead. Then let NC St tie it in the bottom of the 4th, then go ahead in the 5th. Was a great crowd. Really good to see especially considering the rain delay.

[Joneslab]

Incredible night.

That whole thing was a good response to the "Mitch should only be focusing on football and basketball" crowd. That game had just as much intensity as a bowl game or an NCAA Tournament game. Very fun to watch.

[KevinHall]

Incredible night.

That whole thing was a good response to the "Mitch should only be focusing on football and basketball" crowd. That game had just as much intensity as a bowl game or an NCAA Tournament game. Very fun to watch.

Playoff baseball is really fun to watch. Very intense. I used to love to go watch my local high school when they got to the regionals For a few years they made what was then called the sub state or something like that. That was really intense and usually close low scoring games.
I hope this is turning a corner for UK baseball. I have always wanted them to have good competitive teams but could never get over a certain point. I think Mangione is a very good coach. I like how the UK hitters work the counts. That comes from coaching. If he can recruit well, UK probably has a real good one.

[TrueblueCATfan]

WOW...what a night.....I watched but couldn't stay up that late..made it until the 7th inning...my sister was there and she said Cliff Hagan Stadium was electric

[Matt Dillon]

As an aside, a tip of the hat to Mitch and coach Gran. Both were in the stands, before the game, drying the seats. At times, in the past, I've been critical of Mitch, but I don't know how many AD's would do that.

[Spiritof96]

Incredible night.

That whole thing was a good response to the "Mitch should only be focusing on football and basketball" crowd. That game had just as much intensity as a bowl game or an NCAA Tournament game. Very fun to watch.

Swim meets can be intense too... I'm happy for the team, the win, and the atmosphere; but didn't notice anyone complaining about the success or lack thereof of KY baseball over the last 40 years. Minor sport success is gravy and may not justify tens of millions in new construction. "The Cliff" seems a perfectly appropriate baseball venue.

[KevinHall]

The Super Regional is sold out. So there will be big crowds in Louisville this weekend.

[Lighthouse]

As an aside, a tip of the hat to Mitch and coach Gran. Both were in the stands, before the game, drying the seats. At times, in the past, I've been critical of Mitch, but I don't know how many AD's would do that.

Cal was there too, at least for the game. I wish I could get in the stadium this weekend. I think the games will be exciting, and I plan to watch on TV.

[Joneslab]

I'm happy for the team, the win, and the atmosphere; but didn't notice anyone complaining about the success or lack thereof of KY baseball over the last 40 years. .

I've heard plenty of "Why can't Kentucky baseball be good" screeds over the years.

The SEC is a baseball-mad conference and there's success (tradition-wise and revenue-wise) to be had given the right circumstances--and the right coach. It looks like we have the guy.

[Spiritof96]

I've heard plenty of "Why can't Kentucky baseball be good" screeds over the years.

The SEC is a baseball-mad conference and there's success (tradition-wise and revenue-wise) to be had given the right circumstances--and the right coach. It looks like we have the guy.

Whatever...they don't earn.

[Joneslab]

Not sure "earning" should be the end-all/be-all of collegiate sports. If you want to open that Pandora's box, you could look at high school athletics, which are costly to almost every institution in this country, basketball and football and every other sport. It takes an enormous amount of money for my local high school to field a football team, and the team always stinks. But it's important to the school, the players, the community.

And some of these SEC baseball programs do earn. Not sure putting baseball on the level of swim team necessarily fits. LSU for instance has always been a money-maker. I'm assuming Tennessee is as well, as UT baseball is always huge around Knoxville.