LEXINGTON, Ky. — James McCoy hit a two-run homer and drove in three runs to break out of a hitting slump and Kentucky held on for a 10-8 victory over Western Michigan on Friday in the opening game of the Wildcats’ home regional.

The No. 2 overall seed Wildcats (41-14) got off to a hot start after earning the highest seed in program history and winning just their second Southeastern Conference regular-season title. They jumped ahead 8-0 through the first four innings before Western Michigan (32-22), the Mid-American Conference Tournament champions, rallied and put the potential go-ahead run on base in the ninth.

Western Michigan loaded the bases with two outs off Robert Hogan on Josh Swinehart’s single, a hit batter and a walk.

Hogan got a flyout to left field from Grady Mee to end the threat and earn his first save. He allowed two hits and struck out four in 3 1/3 scoreless innings to earn his first save. Cameron O’Brien (2-0) got the win with one scoreless inning.

Western Michigan starter Brady Miller (6-6) allowed six runs, four earned, in two innings.

Kentucky will face the Indiana State-Illinois winner on Saturday.

McCoy had a double and scored twice for the Wildcats in addition to hitting his sixth home run of the season — in the second inning. He snapped out of a 0-for-21 batting slump.

Mitchell Daly added a pair of doubles and two RBIs.

Western Michigan chased Kentucky starter Dominic Niman with a five-run fifth inning. CJ Richmond’s two-run double in the sixth pulled the Broncos within two and capped the scoring.

Kentucky will face the winner of Indiana State and Illinois on Saturday night at 6 p.m. ET.

The Kentucky Wildcats are one of the most storied programs in college basketball. That’s why the hiring of Mark Pope sent shockwaves following John Calipari’s departure after Kentucky failed to make it past the second round of the NCAA Tournament for the third straight year. The Wildcats haven’t won a national championship since 2012, but fans are hoping Pope can be the coach to end Kentucky’s title drought. Pope has the experience needed to lead the Wildcats to the promised land, having won a national championship as a player at Kentucky in 1996. However, Pope’s biggest undertaking will be rebuilding a Kentucky basketball roster following the mass exodus of players after Calipari’s departure.

Pope has already hit the college basketball transfer portal hard and has multiple commitments in the Class of 2024, but there’s still plenty of work to be done on the Kentucky basketball recruiting trail. If you love the Wildcats, or just want the latest roster updates and college basketball transfer portal news, be sure to see what the proven team of insiders are saying at CatsPause, the 247Sports affiliate that covers Kentucky.

The team of insiders at CatsPause.com are providing up-to-the-minute scoop on the latest intel surrounding the Kentucky basketball coaching transition and roster changes. CatsPause has built a solid reputation over its 20+ years covering the Wildcats, and has deep-rooted sources inside and around the Kentucky athletic department. And right now, CatsPause is offering 50% off the first year of an annual subscriptions*, so now is the time to sign up.

The team at CatsPause has full coverage of who is coming and who is going on the Kentucky basketball roster. Head to CatsPause now to see all the insider info.

Kentucky basketball roster departures 

Pope had to hit the ground running when he was named Kentucky’s new head coach since several members of last year’s Kentucky basketball roster have departed Lexington. Forward Zvonimir Ivisic is the first player to follow Calipari to Arkansas, and guard/small forward Adou Thiero followed after playing his past two seasons with Coach Cal. Aaron Bradshaw joined Ohio State, and guard Joey Hart will be on the Ball State roster next season. Point guard D.J. Wagner will follow Calipari to Arkansas.

Justin Edwards, Rob Dillingham and Ugonna Onyenso have all made the final decision to declare for the Draft. Kentucky will also be without top scorers Tre Mitchell and Antonio Reeves next season since both players graduated. Join CatsPause to see the latest on all of Kentucky’s roster changes. 

Kentucky basketball news, roster

Pope and his staff have had quite a bit of success rebuilding Kentucky’s roster through the transfer portal. They’ve signed eight players in the transfer portal, including two centers in Brandon Garrison and Amari Williams. Garrison was productive at Oklahoma State as a freshman, averaging 7.5 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game. He knocked down 57.2% of his field goals and was disruptive on the defensive end of the floor, averaging 1.5 blocks and 0.8 steals per game.

Williams was an effective scorer for Drexel last season, ranking second on the team with 12.2 points per game on average. He also led the Dragons in rebounding (7.8) and blocks (1.8) per game. Williams made 51.7% of his field goals, so he and Garrison will both be reliable scoring options for the Wildcats in the post next season. Join CatsPause to get the latest on all of Kentucky’s roster additions. 

How to get insider Kentucky basketball roster updates

Pope could also be bringing at least one big-time BYU player with him, so be sure to join CatsPause to see who that is and get the rest of the insider roster news. 

Who are the top names Kentucky basketball is pursuing under coach Mark Pope, and what former BYU player could land in Lexington? Go to CatsPause to see their insider information, all from a team of reporters with years of experience covering the Wildcats, and find out. And reminder, CatsPause is offering 50% off the first year of an annual VIP membership*, so subscribe now before it’s too late.

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• Police approached Tiffany McCord, 34, and Thomas Parker, 30, on Friday
• Cops found drug paraphernalia and an ashtray in their child’s stroller
• They discovered the child was sitting on top of live maggots in the stroller 

By Rachel Bowman For Dailymail.Com

Published: 05:40 BST, 31 May 2024 | Updated: 05:41 BST, 31 May 2024

A Kentucky couple has been arrested after police found their baby sitting in a maggot-infested stroller with drugs inside.

Tiffany McCord, 34, and Thomas Parker, 30, were approached by Madisonville police on Friday when neighbors complained about the ‘suspicious’ couple.

The couple and their child were found walking into an abandoned house on West Arch Street and Pride Avenue, reported WEVV.

Parker fled when cops approached and left McCord and her baby in the stroller at the scene. 

Police said they found a plastic bag containing suspected synthetic drugs right next to medicine for the child in a purse attached to the stroller.

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Tiffany McCord (pictured), 34, and Thomas Parker, 30, were arrested after police found their baby sitting in a maggot-infested stroller with drugs inside

McCord was arrested and denied the drugs belonged to her, only claiming a diaper bag that contained an ashtray, lighter, and a small plastic baggie were hers reported WFIE.

She did admit to using marijuana one day earlier. 

An ambulance was called to attend to the child’s medical needs and when officers picked the baby out of the stroller they made a gruesome discovery.  

They found the child was sitting on top of a pile of live maggots in the stroller. 

The next day Parker was arrested on an outstanding warrant and told police he is the father of the baby and cares for the child with McCord.

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Parker (pictured) fled the scene but was arrested one day later and told police he is the father of the baby and cares for the child with McCord

He denied owning any of the drugs, but said he was asked to clean the baby’s stroller and only cleaned part of it.

Parker is charged with wanton endangerment is being held at Hopkins County Jail on $3,500 bond. His next court hearing is scheduled for June 7.

McCord is facing drug trafficking, wanton endangerment and possession of drug paraphernalia charges.

She is being held on $2,500 bond and has a court date scheduled for June 7.