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Kentucky

Mitchell Daly hits walk off home run to win Kentucky's first ever College World Series game

Wade-Peeryby:Wade Peery•06/15/24
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Jordan Prather-USA TODAY Sports

Mitchell Daly answered the call right when his team needed it on Saturday afternoon in Omaha. And he answered it in a massive way. Daly blasted a solo shot over the wall at Charles Schwab Field in the bottom of the 10th inning to lift the Kentucky Wildcats to a walk-off win over the NC State Wolfpack, 5-4.

In doing so, Daly lifted the Wildcats to their first ever win in the World Series. There have been three games so far in Omaha and all three have ended in walk off fashion. It’s been simply amazing college baseball at the CWS.

This is the 77th College World Series and it’s the first time ever there have been three straight walk offs in the event’s history.

Mitchell Daly on his walk-off home run

Speaking with ESPN just moments after the big play, Daly 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.

On3’s Chandler Vessels also contributed to this article.