Kentucky players share their mindsets entering College World Series

Kentucky is the new kid on the block in the field at the 2024 College World Series. With that comes plenty of excitement that’s following them from Lexington all the way to Omaha.

Several of the Wildcats spoke with the media prior to their debut outing in the College World Series. INF Mitchell Daly started by discussing the positive nerves that they’ve all been feeling. It’s natural with where they find themselves, which is why they’re ready to get more of them out in an actual game after getting some out in practice already.

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“Yeah, I would say we’re all just ready to get playing,” Daly said. “You know, I think definitely 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 around.”

“Everybody is just ready to go, I would say, is a great word – great phrase to describe it,” said Daly.

RHP Johnny Hummel agreed about the enthusiasm around their team right now. Everyone in the program is glad to be there with this opportunity and now want to make the most of their first trip to Charles Schwab Field.

“Our whole entire staff and our whole entire players were super excited to come here. It felt like a dream come true to all of us,” Hummel said.

“Having this first practice has been a surreal moment for all of us. We’ve worked so hard to get to this position and we’re just ready to go out there, compete, and hopefully bring home a national championship,” said Hummel.

Kentucky, the No. 2 overall seed in the NCAA Baseball Tournament, should be elated to be there considering what they’ve done in the opening two rounds. The Wildcats swept both the Lexington Regional and Lexington Super Regional in consecutive weekends. That has them on a five-game winning streak that made program history in sending them to the championship round for the first time.

The College World Series is a place where the Wildcats have never been before. They’re now ready to keep their run going through it in order to stay and accomplish even more over the next few days in Omaha.

Nick Mingione calls on Omaha residents: ‘This is your team’

Lexington, Kentucky and Omaha, Nebraska are roughly 750 miles apart from each other. That’s why, while Big Blue Nation will have their own percentage of the crowd at the College World Series, Nick Mingione also took the opportunity to rally some fans in town to cheer for the Wildcats.

Mingione made the case for his ‘Cats during a press conference ahead of Kentucky’s debut appearance in the MCWS. He said that his team can be the city’s team this week, especially as the program there that’s there for the first time ever. From there, UK will play for them as hard as they do for their normal fanbase.

“I do want to say this. If you can put this out, this would mean a lot to me. If the people of Omaha are looking for a team to root for, this is your team. This is your team,” Mingione stated. “We are the first-timers. We want to have a great experience, we want to be lifted up. I’ve seen this city and I’ve seen the people of this place lift up opposing teams. I’ve watched this thing over and over.”

“If they’re looking for a team that competes at the highest level and has an amazing time doing it, we would love for you to jump on board,” said Mingione. “There are so many seats on the Kentucky bandwagon.”

Omaha is going to have eight fanbases along with every day people present at the College World Series. If you still happen to be looking for a program to root for this week, though, Mingione wants your vote and support for the Wildcats.

“If you can hear my voice and see this video? Whatever and you are, like, ‘I wonder who I’m going to root for?’? Let it be the Cats,” said Mingione.