The Kentucky Wildcats won a thrilling game over NC State to get things started in Omaha for the College World Series. That win came, largely, thanks to a late home run from Ryan Nicholson that head coach Nick Mingione praised following the game.
Nicholson hit the home run on a pitch that was in one of his cold zones, with the reporter pointing out that he was hitting under .200 on pitches in that zone. That was something that Mingione didn’t necessarily want pointed out, but it was part of a play that he was very proud of.
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“What a response. What a response,” Nick Mingione said. “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. And do me a favor, don’t tell Ryan that, about his stats. That’s awesome.”
NC State took a one-run lead in the top of the ninth, making things look desperate for the Wildcats. That was until Ryan Nicholson hit a solo shot down the leftfield line. With that, it was a tie game headed for extra innings.
“But couple of things — I’ve made this comment multiple times — but when our offense really got going is when, back in March, we got [Ryan Waldschmidt] in there full time, and when Ryan started hitting the ball over the fence. I think he hit maybe one home run preseason. And then Georgia, 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,” Mingione said.
“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.”
Ultimately, Kentucky was able to win the game in the 10th inning with another solo home run. That one came off the bat of Mitchell Daly and it ended the game in a walk-off.
Now, Nick Mingione and the Wildcats are preparing to take on the Texas A&M Aggies. That game will be on Monday night.
Nick Mingione opens up on Kentucky’s first win in Omaha
Following the emotional win, Nick Mingione also opened up and shared his thoughts on Kentucky’s first win in Omaha.
“Just so thankful. Just proud of our team, our current players, our staff, former staff, former players, for our fans. I’ve just tried to do the best job I could with this season just making sure that I show gratitude,” Mingione said.
“There’s so many people that I love and trust and just keep telling me, ‘Hey, keep soaking it in, keep taking it all in, keep taking it all in.’ And I’m doing it. I’ve done it all year. I get to be around an amazing group of 18- to 24-year-olds and staff members, and I just want to keep taking it in.”
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