Nick Mingione rolls dice as Jaxon Jelkin delivers unexpected clutch save in Kentucky

[Matt Dillon]

Kentucky entered the biggest weekend of the season needing at least one win to secure the program’s fourth consecutive NCAA Tournament bid. The Bat Cats went all-in to get that victory recorded early against No. 12 Arkansas.

A strong pitching performance ultimately led to Nick Mingione pushing his chips into the middle of the table in the eight inning. Kentucky asked staff ace Jaxon Jelkin to deliver a two-out save to secure magic win No. 13 in SEC play. The move paid off as the Bat Cats got it done in a 4-3 victory at Kentucky Proud Park.

Nick Mingione rolls dice as Jaxon Jelkin delivers unexpected clutch save in Kentucky's 4-3 win - On3

[Pobilly]

Nick said Jelkin came to him and wanted to close. Lets hope he rolls on Saturday. Tonight will be harder but Cleaver (if he is on) is good.

[Catsrock]

It was actually a 2 inning, not 2 out save. 29 pitches I think. So the gamble wasn’t whether Jelkin could close out last night, but will he have his best stuff tomorrow?

Lots of the talking heads think 14 conference wins may be needed for a birth this season rather than the usual 13. I certainly don’t know. But will be there tonight rooting them on! Let’s go Cleaver!