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Brown: Kentucky baseball run fueled by Nick Mingione’s change of heart, transfer players

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Brown: Kentucky baseball run fueled by Nick Mingione’s change of heart, transfer players


The COVID-19 pandemic canceled the 2020 NCAA baseball season a month into play, yet it helped transform Kentucky for the better.

The Wildcats might not be playing Oregon State in the NCAA Tournament Super Regionals this weekend had it not been for the changes UK baseball coach Nick Mingione made as a result of his unexpected spring four years ago.

Mingione took the Cats to their first super regional in program history during his first season in 2017 with a roster he largely inherited from former coach Gary Henderson.

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But in 2018 they failed to reach the NCAA Tournament, and in 2019 — after posting the only losing season of Mingione’s tenure — they didn’t make the postseason at all, including the SEC Tournament.

So with the season canceled in 2020, and not many places to go while the pandemic had the nation on lockdown, Mingione began calling former players. He wanted a deeper insight into what worked and what didn’t from his coaching approach.

He wanted to know how he could be better.

Those former players didn’t hold back from offering real insight. One of the points Mingione took to heart was in how he built relationships.

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As a first-time head coach, he may have taken for granted the continual work he needed to do in that regard. But it was clear to Mingione that he needed to show a different side of himself to the players, not just what he displayed as a coach on the field.

“I needed to meet them where they were at,” Mingione said. “It couldn’t just be one way or no way. So I’ve just had to learn how to adjust and adapt and continue to, once you get them here, to develop the relationship piece with them.”

Mingione said he also took from those conversations some ideas on how to “continue to build our team culture and to let them take more ownership in the program.”

That advice became particularly relevant as Mingione tapped into the transfer portal to help build the Cats.

Their roster got enhanced with the additions of players including designated hitter Nick Lopez (USC), third baseman Mitchell Daly (Texas) and first baseman Ryan Nicholson (Cincinnati), a Louisville native who played at St. Xavier High School.

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Four of UK’s top five batters in terms of hits, home runs and RBIs came from the portal. Two of their regular starting pitchers — Trey Pooser (Charleston) and Dominic Niman (Central Connecticut) — did, too.

Mingione didn’t just go after talent, he pursued players who would be the right fit in the locker room and on the field, which is a distinction he didn’t always acknowledge during his first few seasons.

“Now we have the right people here,” Mingione said.

Lopez is an example of how they got it right.

UK is his fourth school after starting at Illinois-Chicago and spending a year at Santa Ana Community College.

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UK assistant coach Austin Cousino had ties to people who knew Lopez well to get a feel for his character. Assistant coach Nick Ammirati evaluated how he’d fit in as a player. They reached the conclusion that he could be developed into a solid player.

“He could switch hit, and he didn’t bat right-handed last year,” Mingione said. “Give coach (Ammirati) a lot of credit, to make his right-hand swing better, and I thought that really helped him.”

Lopez, who at times last season batted eighth in the USC lineup, leads the team in doubles and triples. UK primarily uses him as its cleanup batter, and he’s responded with a .356 batting average this season and was named first-team All-SEC.

The Cats’ historic run to capturing their first SEC regular-season title since 2006 and claiming the No. 2 overall national seed wouldn’t have been possible without the transfers. And it wouldn’t have happened without the transition Mingione made post-pandemic.

Reach sports columnist C.L. Brown at clbrown1@gannett.com, follow him on X at @CLBrownHoops and subscribe to his newsletter at profile.courier-journal.com/newsletters/cl-browns-latest to make sure you never miss one of his columns.

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Kentucky

Kentucky dog battling cancer makes waves online for love of Honey Buns

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Kentucky dog battling cancer makes waves online for love of Honey Buns


SEBREE, Ky. (WFIE) – Terri Lynn Nunn has made a habit of volunteering her time at the local animal shelter in Webster County.

That volunteering led to more than she probably ever anticipated.

“I volunteer weekly at the Webster County Animal Shelter. I go in, and I walk dogs. One day, I just kind of randomly asked, ‘was there any dogs that were kind of struggling?’” she recalls.

As it turned out, one dog in particular, Beau, was just who she was looking for.

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Keeping to himself and not fond of much, if any human interaction, Terri took a swing at getting to know him.

“I got in the kennel with him, and we just kind of sat together,” she says. “He didn’t have anything to do with me.”

That is, until he discovered what she had in her back pocket.

“I kind of dragged out the Little Debby snack cake. I had one in my pocket, and I said, ‘would you like a bite?’ and he kind of did a little side eye at me, and I gave him a little bite and scooted a little closer, and that’s how we became friends,” says Nunn.

While Beau was busy discovering snack cakes, Terri discovered that Beau’s neck wasn’t just a little thick.

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It looked like he had some sort of mass. She had the shelter get him into the vet, who confirmed her suspicions.

“The vet called me that day and said that Beau had Lymphoma, and it could be months, it could be years, but his time is warranted,” she says, “so at that point, I knew Beau had to come home with me.”

Somewhere over 10-years-old, just in the ballpark of 50 pounds, and sporting a new cancer diagnosis, Beau came home.

So began his new life of car rides, lounging by the pool, and of course, medication.

However, there was one part of the shelter he just couldn’t seem to let go of.

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“His favorite thing in the whole world is a honey bun,” says Nunn with a smile.

Now accustomed to the finer things in life, Terri says they tried to substitute cheaper versions of the snack cake, but Beau wasn’t having it.

He was sticking exclusively to Little Debbie.

As he began his road to recovery in his new home, Nunn began sharing his story online.

This prompted not just local interest, but a surprise donation of the things he loves most.

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“Little Debbie picked his story up and sent him his ‘get well’ package,” says Nunn.

Filled with Honey Buns and Zebra Cakes, Beau had his very own stash of snacks to enjoy.

While they don’t know how much time Beau has left, Terri says they’re the ones who have lucked out, getting to make him as comfortable as possible while enjoying his favorite things.

She says so many dogs just like Beau live in your local shelters.

If you can make it happen, she wants to urge others to go spend time with them or even bring home a Beau of your own.

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“He’s really changed me. He’s changed my heart, and I think he’s changed a lot of people,” says Nunn.

Nunn says the Webster County Animal Shelter where Beau came from is currently holding onto roughly 30 more dogs than they’re suited to care for.

To get ahold of them to get a look at what animals they have or to perhaps volunteer some time, check out their Facebook page.



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$10 million Powerball ticket sold at Circle K in Kentucky

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$10 million Powerball ticket sold at Circle K in Kentucky


CRESTWOOD, Ky. (LEX 18) — Someone in Kentucky must be leaping for joy as a $10 million Powerball ticket was recently sold at Circle K No. 3305 in Crestwood, according to a press release from the KY Lottery.

The release detailed that the winning ticket matched all five white balls and Powerball in the second Double Play drawing, resulting in the top tier $10 million prize win. The Double Play drawing takes place right after the Powerball drawing. Monday night’s winning Powerball Double Play numbers were 1,31,33,54,60, and Powerball 26.

The win marks Kentucky’s first top tier Powerball Double Play win since the feature was established in late 2023, Kentucky Lottery President and CEO Mary Harville highlighted.

“The Kentucky Lottery has winners every day and it’s always extra special when we have a really big winner, especially on Powerball since it is one of our most popular games,” Harville said.

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For an additional $1, players can choose to activate Double Play which enters a player’s same set of numbers in both drawings, the release read.

The Powerball jackpot is currently estimated at $95 million, and has produced no winners at this time. The release noted that the next Powerball drawing will take place at 11 p.m. EST on Wednesday.

The release advised lottery winners to claim their prizes at the lottery headquarters, located at 1011 W. Main Street in Louisville after calling 877-789-4532 to make an appointment to claim their prize.

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Safran Landing Systems Kentucky celebrates 25 years of aerospace manufacturing in Boone County – NKyTribune

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Safran Landing Systems Kentucky celebrates 25 years of aerospace manufacturing in Boone County – NKyTribune


Boone County Judge/Executive Gary Moore, BE NKY Growth Partnership and other regional leaders joined Safran Landing Systems Kentucky to celebrate the plant’s quarter-century of operation in Boone County.
 
Safran Landing Systems’ state-of-the-art facility in Walton is a major contributor to the aerospace manufacturing industry in Kentucky, which was the #2 exporter of aerospace products and parts in 2022. Indeed, the site produces every year close to 140,000 carbon brake disks and over 9,500 wheels & brakes sets.

Safran Landing Systems’ initial carbon site construction in Boone County was completed in 1999, wheels and brakes manufacturing followed in 2007, and in 2016, the company launched an expansion project to increase its carbon capacity by 50 percent. To date, its 350+ highly qualified employees support several programs – from Boeing’s 737, 777, 787 aircraft to the Airbus A320 family, C-17 and KC-135 military aircraft – while its customers include UPS, FedEx, United Airlines, Allegiant, Aeromexico, Spirit Airlines, and Air Canada.

Celebrating Safran’s 25 years in Boone County. (Photo provided)

“Safran Landing Systems has been a tremendous corporate citizen throughout their 25-year history here in Boone County,” said Boone County Judge/Executive Gary Moore. “They have expanded multiple times while creating hundreds of aircraft-related manufacturing jobs and investing substantial dollars in support to our community. We appreciate their commitment to growth in our community.”

In September 2023, Safran Landing Systems announced the strengthening of Walton operations, with the development of new activities and the creation of 92 high-wage jobs over 10 years for Kentuckians to meet increased production volumes.

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“Congratulations to Philippe and the entire team at Safran Landing Systems Kentucky on 25 very successful years in Northern Kentucky,” said BE NKY CEO Lee Crume. “Aerospace, aviation, and advanced manufacturing are thriving in Northern Kentucky, and Safran plays a key role in the strength of these industries.”

Earlier this year, Safran was the recipient of a “James A. Wuenker Growth Award” from REDI Cincinnati, as well as a “Build + Elevate NKY Growth Award” from BE NKY Growth Partnership.

 “This year marks an important milestone for us: 25 years of constant growth and development in Northern Kentucky, 25 years of great support from the region, 25 years of successes with our customers! We are ready to continue the success story for the next 25 years.” Philippe Garnier, Safran Landing Systems Kentucky CEO and General Manager.

“This anniversary reflects our ongoing ambition to be the partner of choice for North American airlines, airframers and Air Forces as well. We are delighted and proud to develop there, in Kentucky, a significant pool of talents and advanced technologies to this end. I am confident that Walton will mark the next decades by providing our customers with the high-performance, reliable and competitive products, meeting their most critical operational needs.” Jean-Michel Hillion, Safran Landing Systems Executive Vice President of the Wheels & Brakes Division.



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