Ryan Nicholson once again came up big for Kentucky on Saturday, belting a game-tying home run in the bottom of the ninth inning to send the game to extra-innings.

Kentucky pulled out the 5-4 win in 10 innings, earning its first College World Series win in program history to advance to the winner’s bracket.

“What a response,” Nick Mingione said postgame. “What a response. I mean, when I tell you guys in the ninth, this team has true belief. They really thought we were going to win the game.”

Since the beginning of the NCAA Tournament, Nicholson has been on another level. He’s 10-23 (.435 BA) at the plate with four home runs and eight RBI.

“I’ve made this comment multiple times,” Mingione started. “But when our offense really got going is when, back in March, we got Waldy in there full time, and when Ryan started hitting the ball over the fence. I think he hit maybe one home run preseason. When you look at the amount of home runs he hit in our league, I think he has the third most amount of home runs out of everybody in the SEC in SEC games.”

Nicholson’s 22 are tied for ninth most among SEC batters, but it’s even more impressive when you take into account he hit just one home run in the first 16 games.

“Not a lot of people are talking about him but there’s a lot of really good offensive players, a lot of good home runs hitters. And he’s certainly one of them.”

Along with Nicholson’s success at the plate, he has truly reached another level as a fielder. Near the beginning of the season, it seemed like a move to DH was possible for the Cincinnati transfer. After making four errors in the span of nine games from April 11-April 27, Nicholson has made just one error in the last 19 games.

“But think about our defensive plays today,” Mingione said. “Ryan Nicholson made two plays where we need every bit — this game, you know this, the margin of victory is so small. What about the high chopper down first base that Nicholson jumps up and keeps fair? What about the pick that Nicholson jumps up and catches? We need every bit of his 6’4”. What about that first-and-second and nobody out and the double play we turned. That’s us at our best.

The Cats will now have to wait to see who wins the Saturday nightcap between Texas A&M and Florida, as they’ll play the winner Monday night at 6:00 p.m. CT/7:00 p.m. ET.

Follow KSR at the College World Series

KSR the show may not be headed to Omaha this weekend, but the website will be well-represented. KSR baseball beat writer Daniel Hager and videographer Steven Peake hit the road on Friday to capture all the action and excitement for Kentucky’s first College World Series appearance. They’ll be sharing all of their adventures on the site, social media, and special editions of “Bat Cat Beat” and Rapid Reactions on the KSR YouTube Channel, so make sure you’re following and subscribed to keep up with the Cats.

KSR’s trip to Omaha for the College World Series is presented by Summit Insurance Group, a veteran-owned, family-operated business. We want to introduce you to Steve Terrell, who is here to help and give you a tip.

Before signing any insurance policy, be sure to read the terms and conditions. Our practice goes much further than just writing your insurance policy. We want to make sure that in the event you are in an accident, and someone is injured, you have adequate coverage to cover any expenses related to the loss. Do you have enough money to pay for your medical bills? Do you have enough money to replace your vehicle? Our job as insurance advisors is to make sure that you do! We want to protect not only your vehicles but your home as well. We also offer business, life, Medicare supplements, and more. Give us a call at (859) 479-1234 for more tips!

OMAHA, Neb. (WYMT) – Kentucky takes on NC State in their first ever College World Series appearance.

The Blue and White went undefeated throughout the regional and super regional rounds to punch their first ever ticket to Omaha.

UK enters the game with a 45-14 record. They face a Wolfpack team that is making its fourth trip to Omaha. North Carolina State is 38-21 on the season.

The Wolfpack leads the all-time series with UK, 4-3.

The Wildcats beat NC State in the Lexington Regional in 2017 to win the school’s first regional championship.

Copyright 2024 WYMT. All rights reserved.

OMAHA, Neb. — Kentucky baseball’s first College World Series game is on tap Saturday afternoon, opening against North Carolina State.

UK’s players took time to celebrate the super regional sweep of Oregon State, with Game 2 lasting into the wee hours Monday. But now that the Wildcats have boots on the ground in Nebraska, the time for talking — and celebrating past victories — is over.

“We’re all just ready to get playing,” third baseman Mitchell Daly said Thursday. “This first practice knocked the jitters off for a lot of people. I think everybody was just excited to get on the field, feel the dirt, see the scenery.

“Everybody is just ready to go.”

WATCH: Follow Kentucky baseball in the College World Series on Fubo (free trial)

A Kentucky (45-14) victory Saturday keeps it in the winners bracket; its next game would take place at 7 p.m. Monday. It would face the victor of Saturday’s second game: an all-SEC affair between Florida and Texas A&M. Should UK lose to N.C. State (38-21), the Wildcats will play an elimination game at 2 p.m. Monday against the loser of the Florida/Texas A&M tilt. The season is over for the loser of Monday afternoon’s game.

UK hopes Saturday’s game has the same result of its previous NCAA matchup against N.C. State: The Wildcats beat the Wolfpack in a winner-take-all game in a 2017 NCAA regional to advance to super regionals for the first time.

Here’s everything you need to know about Kentucky’s College World Series game Saturday at Charles Schwab Field, including time and streaming info:

NCAA College World Series: When is Kentucky vs NC State baseball on today?

Where: Charles Schwab Field (24,000); Omaha, Nebraska

Game time: 2 p.m. ET Saturday

Kentucky vs. NC State channel today in 2024 College World Series: Time, TV schedule

Kentucky’s College World Series game against North Carolina State will air at 2 p.m. Saturday on ESPN.

Kentucky vs NC State livestream in College World Series 2024

You can watch the game through WatchESPN.com, the WatchESPN app or fuboTV.

How to stream the Kentucky baseball vs NC State College World Series game for free?

You can stream ESPN on Fubo, which offers a free trial here.

College World Series schedule, bracket, TV info

All times Eastern

Friday, June 14

• Game 1: North Carolina 3, Virginia 2
• Game 2: Tennessee 12, Florida State 11

Saturday, June 15

Sunday, June 16

Monday, June 17

Tuesday, June 18

Wednesday, June 19

Thursday, June 20

• Game 13 (if necessary): TBD vs. TBD, 2 p.m.; TV broadcast channel TBD
• Game 14 (if necessary): TBD vs. TBD, 7 p.m.; TV broadcast channel TBD

CWS championship finals schedule 2024 (best-of-three series)

Saturday, June 22

Sunday, June 23

Monday, June 24

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Reach Kentucky men’s basketball and football reporter Ryan Black at rblack@gannett.com and follow him on X at @RyanABlack.