Moving right-hander Trey Pooser from the bullpen to the starting rotation has been Nick Mingione and Kentucky’s best made decision this season.

For the first month of the season, Pooser, who transferred from College of Charleston over the offseason, was used exclusively as a reliever. In six appearances out of the bullpen, Pooser boasted a 5.21 in 12 1/3 innings pitched.

Right-hander Travis Smith, who was expected to make the leap as one of the breakout pitchers in college baseball this season, just never seemed to get going in that time frame. Smith made five Friday night starts in the opening month, compiling a 1-2 record with a 6.69 ERA in 24 2/3 innings pitched.

This is when Nick Mingione made a decision that would alter Kentucky’s season in a major way.

It was announced that Pooser would be making his first start as a Cat on March 22 against Missouri. However, Pooser was no stranger to being a starting pitcher. He made 36 career starts in four seasons at College of Charleston, compiling a career 3.93 ERA in 220 innings pitched.

“You know, he had experience before and starting experience at the college level,” Mingione said Saturday. “Anytime you can have that, that is a bonus. The transfer portal does allow you to be older, and it allows you to develop your high school guys. If you look at our lineup I feel like we had a great mix that played in this baseball game from a pitching and an offensive side.”

Since his move to the Friday night starter, Pooser has blossomed into Kentucky’s “ace.” Including Saturday’s masterful start where he allowed just one earned run in seven innings, the right-hander boasts a 3.57 in 63 innings pitched. Even he said he wouldn’t believe where he’d be at now at the beginning of the season.

“You always want to do good,” Pooser said. “You don’t ever know exactly how it’s going to go and everything doesn’t always go as planned, but I’m glad it has gone the way it has. Just got to keep going.”

He hasn’t been just good, he’s been absolutely shutdown. In his last 13 innings pitched against Arkansas (SEC Tournament) and Illinois on Saturday, Pooser’s allowed just one earned run (0.69 ERA) with 10 strikeouts.

When asked if Pooser has emerged as Kentucky’s ace, Nick Mingione gave a cheeky answer.

“Yes,” the head ball coach said. “We’ve got some other good ones, too. You look at Mason Moore. What is he, 8-3? He’s got beat by the same team. Twice. Two of this his three losses are from the same team (South Carolina). That guy could be sitting at 8-1. But I’ll let you guys decide what title or label you want to put on him.”

Pooser’s emergence has given Kentucky two aces down the stretch in himself and Mason Moore, who will start Sunday’s game in the Regional Final. For a staff that has been up and down this season, the Hanahan, S.C. native has provided much needed stability time and time again.

Pooser and right-hander Ryan Hagenow, who pitched the final two innings in Saturday’s win over Illinois, will be the two lone pitchers unavailable for Sunday’s game.

The Cats will now wait until Sunday at 6:00 p.m. EST, where they will play the winner of Indiana State/Illinois (who play Sunday at noon EST). With a Kentucky win, it would claim the Lexington Regional in just three games. With a loss, the Lexington Regional Championship would be Monday.

Kentucky baseball began their NCAA Tournament with a 10-8 victory over Western Michigan on Friday afternoon at Kentucky Proud Park in Lexington. The No. 2 overall seed Wildcats scored eight runs in four innings to pretty much put the game out of reach.

While Western Michigan battled back with a valiant effort of eight runs themselves, Kentucky was able to add two more of their own to ice the game.

James McCoy was the big bat of the day, dialing up a two-run homer along with a RBI double to lead the team’s offense.

Kentucky had seven players log a RBI, three steal a base and as many be hit by a pitch.

Next up for the Wildcats will be Illinois who defeated Indiana State 4-1 late Friday night. These two will face off at 6 PM today for the right to play in Game Five on Sunday.

Meanwhile, Western Michigan and Indiana State will play in the losers bracket at noon today with the loser being the first team eliminated from the Lexington Regional.

Tweet of the Day

Kentucky Proud Park was a vibe on Friday.

Headlines

Kentucky Baseball Holds Off Western Michigan – Vaught’s Views

Nail biter towards the end.

Pels to defer Lakers’ first-round draft pick to ‘25 – ESPN

Interesting strategy.

Get to Know Ansley Almoner – Vaught’s Views

He’s bringing a lot of good things to UK.

Troy Weaver out as GM of Pistons amid shakeup – ESPN

NBA news drop from Friday.

4 takeaways from SEC Spring Meetings – KSR

Change is coming.

College basketball transfer portal rankings 2024 – CBS Sports

Jaxson Robinson is big on this list.

Vince Marrow shares his recruiting secret sauce – KSR

Best in the business.

Mike Tyson facing health risks as he trains with an ulcer – USA Today

Too old for this.