A big win over Oregon State on Saturday left Kentucky baseball needing just a single win to make it to the College World Series for the first time in school history. On Sunday night, the Beavers made it much tougher. The Wildcats would only have four hits, but great pitching, and a epic moment from Nolan McCarthy would propel Kentucky to history.
McCarthy got things started with an RBI double in the second inning, then he gave them a two-run lead in the fourth. Oregon State would answer in the bottom of the fourth, putting two runs up. That set up the seventh inning.
Leading off the inning, McCarthy doubled again, putting him in scoring position with no outs. A bunt attempt failed, bringing Grant Smith to the plate.
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Smith swung and missed at strike three, but the ball squirted past the catcher to the wall, sending McCarthy to third. However, as he hit the base, he noticed the pitcher wasn’t covering home and took off. The pitcher and catcher both converged on the plate, but McCarthy dove head first, soaring through the air and slid across for what would be the game-winner in a 3 – 2 victory.
Oregon State would make a push in the ninth inning, getting men on the corners with two outs, but Johnny Hummel would get a strikeout to end the game and send Kentucky to Omaha.
Kentucky pitching only gave up two hits, but walked nine. However, they got the outs in key moments and only gave up two runs.
The Wildcats will meet either North Carolina State or the Georgia Bulldogs in their first College World Series game. The first game will be on June 15th, with the time not determined yet.