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Kentucky Baseball: Cliff Hagan Stadium to host first NCAA regional since 2006

By Frank Spencer

May 6, 2017; Kansas City, MO, USA; A general view of a baseball on the field prior to a game between the Kansas City Royals and the Cleveland Indians at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports
May 6, 2017; Kansas City, MO, USA; A general view of a baseball on the field prior to a game between the Kansas City Royals and the Cleveland Indians at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports /
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Kentucky Baseball head coach Nick Mingione has led the Wildcats to host a regional in his first season. It’s the first time since 2006 that Cliff Hagan Stadium will host an NCAA Regional.

The Kentucky Baseball team is coming off of a disappointing week of play in the SEC Tournament. the Wildcats only managed one win followed by a blowout loss to LSU and a bad outing against South Carolina. Head Coach Nick Mingione has done a wonderful job in his first season at the helm. Getting the Wildcats to this point has been incredible considering the circumstances. Kentucky Baseball hasn’t been a consistent threat to post season play in quite some time. This season has a different feel.

The Kentucky offense has proven to be one of the best in the country. An attacking mentality at the plate is one of the reasons Kentucky sees itself hosting a regional. Starting pitching has carried the Wildcats away with the wind as well. Starters Sean Hjelle and Justin Lewis have been lights out. Hjelle is fresh off of his SEC Pitcher of The Year award. Both have combine for 158 strikeouts and a 15-6 record between the two. Saturday starter Zach Logue has been great as well. Logue has tallied 80 strikeouts on 80 innings pitched on the season. Weekday starter Zach Thompson is picking up the slack as well with a 7-2 record to go along with a 3.34 ERA and 83 strikeouts. Thompson has been phenomenal when it matters most with an opponent batting average of .181.

NCAA Regional

Kentucky did not earn a national seed which means they will be traveling elsewhere (Louisville) if they in fact take care of business in regional play. Cliff Hagan Stadium will see it’s first post season action since 2006. Coach Nick Mingione’s efforts to try and talk the committee into putting Kentucky in the top eight didn’t work like he wanted it to. But, Kentucky has a great shot at playing in a super regional close to home. The winner of the Louisville regional will be paired with the winner of the Lexington regional possibly setting up a Kentucky/Louisville matchup. A matchup that the Wildcats split with the Cardinals this season.

The Lexington regional will kick of Friday at 12:00 pm ET, with Kentucky taking on the Ohio Bobcats. The Bobcats are fresh off of their MAC conference championship win.

The other teams include the Indiana Hoosiers, the second seed in the regional and the NC State Wolfpack.

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