Kentucky
How Nolan McCarthy made the game-winning run to push Kentucky into the College World Series
All the Kentucky Wildcats needed to do was win on Sunday night and they would advance to the College World Series for the first time ever, and that is what they did.
The game was tied 2-2 in the seventh inning against Oregon State when Nolan McCarthy came up to bat and belted a double. James McCoy then went up to bat, but after a failed sacrifice bunt to move McCarthy over another base, it led to Grant Smith batting next.
Smith went down 0-2 in the count, but due to a dropped third strike where Oregon State’s catcher did not successfully catch the ball, it led to McCarthy going all the way from second back to home to score the game-winning run. He was able to score was that Oregon State’s pitcher, Nelson Keljo, was not covering home plate.
That’s when McCarthy took off into Kentucky lore forever.
“I was on second. Coach Minge (Mingione) was telling me to be balanced on my skips. Don’t want to give that pitcher anything like that,” said McCarthy after the win. “It’s a big run. I saw it squeak by.
“I was running to third, and I immediately saw their pitcher wasn’t covering. I think I ran through a stop sign, but it ended up working out. No one was covering home, so might as well take what they’re going to give you.”
That would prove to be the deciding run, as Kentucky would on for the 3-2 victory and will now play in the program’s first trip to Omaha.
Head coach Nick Mingione was actually telling McCarthy to stop but was happy to see his player not be afraid to make the biggest play in the biggest moment.
“Nolan is the guy that wants to make the special play. I was telling him to stop verbally, okay, not physically,” said Mingione “But the game was in front of him, and I’m happy he went because he saw something. And we allow our players to make decisions on their own. I’m glad he went. He did the Superman dive. He was going to do something that it was going to be, like, it was a Nolan McCarthy moment. You know what I mean?
“I was telling him to stop, but I actually had my back…it was actually roles reversed; I saw the catcher catch it, I didn’t see the pitcher, but he (McCarthy) did. I thought it was a great play.”
Before the game, McCarthy was saying he would do the Pete Rose slide to his teammates, and that is what he did.
“I told Robert (Hogan) I was going to Pete Rose dive today, and it ended up happening,” McCarthy said.
McCarthy actually got a bit dinged up from the run and had to take himself out of the game for the final two innings.
“I give him (McCarthy) a lot of credit, too, because he kind of tweaked his hamstring on that, and he basically, during the pitching change, he said, ‘Coach, I’m getting tight; I can’t make a play,’” said Mingione.
“He took himself out, which is really smart and unselfish. He’s, like, I can’t make the plays that the game’s going to demand. I was like, okay, you want to come out. He was like, yes, I do. Ty Crittenberger was ready. He’s always ready. He was prepared for the moment and always ready. He was honest with that I was proud of him for that.”
After a memorable night at Kentucky Proud Park, the Cats now look to keep their magical season alive with a run in Omaha.
Kentucky
WATCH: Tennessee HC Josh Heupel, Players Recap Kentucky and Preview Mississippi State Game | Rocky Top Insider
Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel led off the Week 11 media slate on Monday afternoon in Knoxville with a 12-minute press conference.
The Vols will close out a four-game, five-week home stretch this Saturday night in a homecoming game against SEC foe Mississippi State. The Bulldogs are currently the SEC’s last-place team and are still searching for their first conference win of the season.
Tennessee is riding a three-game win streak heading into Saturday’s game after taking down Florida, Alabama, and Kentucky in the last four weeks. The Vols will look to continue that momentum and keep their playoff hopes alive with another SEC foe this weekend.
Tennessee also teased the return of the Summitt Blue accessories on Monday as November represents Alzheimer’s Awareness Month.
In addition to Heupel, three Tennessee players also met with the media on Monday: tight end Holden Staes, safety Jakobe Thomas, and linebacker Jalen Smith.
More from RTI: Tennessee Football Teases Summitt Blue Twist For Saturday’s SEC Game
Check out all four interviews from Knoxville below:
Tennessee HC Josh Heupel
Tennessee TE Holden Staes
Tennessee S Jakobe Thomas
Tennessee LB Jalen Smith
Good morning, BBN!
It is finally time to tip off the regular college basketball season for the Kentucky Wildcats as they welcome the Wright State Raiders to Lexington.
The fanbase has been itching for the real basketball games to start after two impressive performances against Kentucky Wesleyan and Minnesota State in their exhibition games.
Now, the games will count towards their record and start the countdown to the big first matchup against Duke in the Champions Classic next Tuesday.
The Raiders head to Rupp Arena after posting an 18-14 record last season, which included a close loss to Indiana. Also arriving in Lexington is the Raiders, Brandon Noel, who was voted as the Horizon League Player of the Year. Can the Cats slow down the talented forward? That will likely be the difference between this game being close late.
For Kentucky, the fanbase will be watching to see how this team plays when the real horn sounds at the start of the season. Will they continue their offensive dominance? Can they continue to defend at a high level? We will find out tonight.
Go Cats!
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Headlines
Big Blue Preview: Kentucky vs. Wright State – UK Athletics
The preseason is over and, beginning on Monday, the Cats embark on a new regular season with a new head coach and an entirely new team.
Know your opponent: Wright State Raiders- Cats Pause
Take a deep dive into the Wright State Raiders.
DeLeye’s 16 Terminations Hand No. 14 Kentucky 3-0 Sweep of UGA – UK Athletics
Sophomore outside hitter Brooklyn DeLeye had 16 kills as No. 14 Kentucky completed its season-long five-match road trip 5-0 thanks to a 3-0 win over Georgia and held its position in the three-way tie atop the SEC with the win.
Kentucky left points on the field multiple times deep in Tennessee territory- KSR
Are we really surprised?
Q&A with Mark Stoops following loss to Tennessee- Cats Pause
Take a look at what Coach Stoops had to say following the loss to the Vols.
Acaden Lewis and Jasper Johnson to from all-lefty backcourt- KSR
Will be fun to watch next season.
Cowboys lose Prescott to hamstring injury- ESPN
A tough blow to Dallas.
Oregon voted unanimous No. 1- ESPN
The Ducks are legit.
Lamar Jackson breaks record for most career games with perfect passer rating- CBS
Lamar and the Ravens are legit.
Steelers still in trade market for Wide receiver- CBS
Will Russell Wilson get a new receiver to throw to?
Oregon remains atop AP Top 25 ahead of first CFP rankings – ESPN
Oregon is No. 1 in the AP Top 25 for the third straight week, and unanimous for the first time, following its 21-point road win against Michigan.
Kentucky
Kentucky State Police investigate an escape of two inmates at Blackburn Correctional Facility
FRANKFORT, Ky. (LEX 18) — Kentucky State Police Post 12 in Frankfort, are looking for two inmates who they say walked away from Blackburn Correctional Complex.
Officials say they are looking for 38-year-old Adam E. Ball. Ball is from Russell Springs, Ky. State police say he was last seen wearing a full khaki jumpsuit and a khaki hat. He is described as being 6’03 tall and weighing 250 pounds.
KSP is also searching for 40-year-old Bradley E. Cornwell from Georgetown, Ky. Cornwell was last seen wearing a white t-shirt, gray sweatpants, white shoes, and a khaki hat. He is described as being 6’0 tall and weighing 175 pounds.
Reports say both inmates allegedly fled the complex together in a water truck.
Anyone with information is asked to call local law enforcement or Kentucky State Police Post 12 at 502-227-2221.
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