Mitchell Daly after his walk-off home run: 'I feel like I'm about to pass out'

Mitchell Daly had to take a moment to catch his breath after delivering the game-winning hit for Kentucky against NC State on Saturday. The Wildcats slugger stepped to the plate with two outs in the bottom of the 10th inning with things tied at 4.

With the count at 1-2, he connected on a pitch and sent it to deep left field and just over the fence for the game-winning home run. He pointed up to the stands as he rounded the bases on his solo shot, which gave Kentucky a 5-4 victory in its first game of the College World Series.

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Speaking with ESPN just moments after the big play, he was asked how his heart rate was doing, leading to a humorous answer.

“It was up there,” he said. “I feel like I’m about to pass out so I gotta calm down for a second.”

The victory marked the first-ever for Kentucky in the College World Series after the Wildcats made it for the first time this season. Now they’ll officially move on to the winner’s bracket as they’re one step closer to the title.

Asked his mindset entering the plate appearance, Daly made sure to give credit to his assistance coaches for the advice they gave him. That allowed his to stick in there through the first few pitches before finally seeing a ball he thought he could make a play on.

“(Nick Ammirati) and (Austin Cousino) both said if it’s up, just try to go for it,” Daly said. “He had a big slider and I was sitting in there on that pitch and happened to get the exact pitch I was looking for.”

The hit was the second of the afternoon for Daly and just his seventh home run all season. He has been a key piece for the Wildcats after transferring in from Texas in the offseason.

Mitchell Daly wasn’t the only hitter to come up big for Kentucky, however. Ryan Nicholson also came up with a solo homer in the ninth inning that tied the game and sent it to extras. The Wildcats finished with three long balls on the day as Nicholson led the team by going 3-of-4 in his plate appearances.

Kentucky now advances to Monday night in the winners’ bracket and awaits the winner of Florida vs. Texas A&M, which will cap off Saturday’s action from Charles Schwab Field in Omaha.

“To come here with a program that’s never been, Kentucky showed up and showed out,” Daly said. “It’s special. We’re gonna keep going. Not done yet. …Everybody just loves each other. I think you can see it through the dugout and the energy they bring. It really helps everybody who’s playing and like I said, I’m just thankful for these guys.”