Kentucky Baseball back on NCAA Tournament bubble

Kentucky’s series win over No. 1 Tennessee is keeping the Cats in the conversation for the NCAA Tournament. Baseball America released new projections for the field of 64 today and Kentucky is among the first four out behind Pittsburgh, Louisiana, and North Carolina. With less than three weeks until Selection Monday, every game matters, especially the series at South Carolina this weekend, writes Baseball America’s Teddy Cahill.

The bubble race is also going strong. Florida’s sweep of Mississippi State and Oklahoma’s series win against TCU lifted the Gators and Sooners off the bubble last week, while Kentucky’s upset of Tennessee and North Carolina’s series win at North Carolina State gave the Wildcats and Tar Heels clearer paths to the tournament.

So, what series will impact the bubble race this weekend? Kentucky travels to South Carolina in a series both need and North Carolina hosts Wake Forest in another bubbly showdown. 

ICYMI, Kentucky’s midweek game vs. UT-Martin was canceled yesterday after the Skyhawks’ bus broke down en route. According to UT-Martin’s Chance Merithew, they made it as far as Mayfield before encountering mechanical issues.

We almost made it #rollhawks pic.twitter.com/RWQPGVLsoJ

— Chance Merithew (@ChanceMerithew) May 10, 2022

Here’s the remainder of Kentucky’s schedule:

• Fri., May 13 (7:00 PM): at South Carolina – SEC Network+
• Sat., May 14 (Noon): at South Carolina – SEC Network
• Sun., May 15 (1:30 PM): at South Carolina – SEC Network+
• Tue., May 17 (6:30 PM): Tennessee Tech – SEC Network+
• Thur., May 19 (6:30 PM): Auburn – SEC Network+
• Fri., May 20 (6:30 PM): Auburn – SEC Network +
• Sat., May 21 (2:00 PM): Auburn – SEC Network +

The top 12 teams in the league make the SEC Baseball Tournament, which runs May 24-29 in Hoover, Alabama. Currently, Kentucky’s nine SEC wins are tied with Mississippi State for second-fewest in the league. NCAA Tournament selections are announced on Monday, May 30, and regional rounds begin on Friday, June 3.

WATCH: Home-state Cats talk about representing Kentucky

This morning, Kentucky released this video of Chase Estep, Mason Moore, and Darren Williams reflecting on what it means to represent their home state on the diamond. They even weighed in the phrase, “606 By God.”

The love for the 6⃣0⃣6⃣ is unlike anything you've experienced, and why those from there feel like they're playing for more than just themselves…#WeAreUK @chasestep @Dub_Williams24 @masonmoore_20
🎥 @uksportsvideo / @ukathletics @kysportsradio pic.twitter.com/LQNbzlD0up

— Kentucky Baseball (@UKBaseball) May 11, 2022

Good stuff. Get these dubs in South Carolina, boys.