Mitchell Daly propelled Kentucky to a 5-4 win over North Carolina with a walk off homerun in the bottom of the 10th inning on Saturday.
It was fitting that Kentucky’s first-ever College World Series game ended with one of the biggest hits in program history.
The Wildcats will battle Texas A&M in the double elimination round Monday night at 7 p.m. ET.
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Mitchell Daly walks it off for Kentucky with a bomb into the bullpen pic.twitter.com/2aJZF9P4mK
— CJ Fogler account may or may not be notable (@cjzero) June 15, 2024
Nick Mingione emotional after Mitchell Daly hits the walk-off homerun on Saturday against NC State. #BBN pic.twitter.com/7eJUAbJmEH
— Chris Beasmore (@CBeasmoreSports) June 16, 2024
Here’s a game recap from UK Athletics:
OMAHA, Neb. – Having just seen a teammate thrown out trying to steal his way into scoring position and down to a final strike, Mitchell Dal 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.
Follow along with the Cats on X, Facebook and Instagram, and on the web at UKathletics.com.
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