Nolan McCarthy referenced Pete Rose before Kentucky's matchup with Oregon State on Sunday. He wasn't sure how or when he would emulate it, but he knew a 'Pete Rose dive' would happen.
In a critical moment in Sunday's 3-2 win for Kentucky, it happened.
Grant Smith was up to bat for Kentucky in the seventh inning, with the game tied 2-2. While he swung and missed on a third-strike, it was the heads up play by Nolan McCarthy that showcased Kentucky's 'attack' mindset.
The pitch got away from Oregon State catcher Wilson Weber allowing Smith to advance to first base. While that was ongoing, McCarthy, who was on second, advanced to third base ... but he didn't stop there. He saw Weber still going after the ball, which left home wide open. He rounded third and went in an all-out sprint to home, sliding head-first to a safe signal from the ump.
"I told Robert (Hogan) I was going to Pete Rose dive today and it ended up happening," McCarthy said postgame.
Never seen Superman and @NolanMcCarthy9 in the same room 🤷♂️#WeAreUK x #RoadToOmaha https://t.co/FXK08bMpFr pic.twitter.com/mjxpsHsE7m
— Kentucky Baseball (@UKBaseball) June 10, 2024
His run was the go-ahead and game-winning run to push Kentucky to the College World Series for the first time in program history.
“Yeah, I was on second, Coach Minge was telling me to be balanced on my skips. Don’t want to give that pitcher anything like that. It’s a big run,” McCarthy said. “I saw it (the ball) squeak by (the catcher). I was running to third. I immediately saw their pitcher wasn’t covering (home). I think I ran through a stop sign, but it ended up working out. No one was covering home, so might as well take what they’re going to give you.”
The aggressive style of play that McCarthy brought on Sunday isn't anything new to his coaches or teammates.
In fact, it's exactly what they expect from him and a reason why he's been such a critical member of the team.
“Nolan is super aggressive and the guys call him crazy. And Nolan is the guy that wants to make the special play,” Kentucky head coach Nick Mingione said. “I was telling him to stop verbally, okay, not physically. But the game was in front of him, and I’m happy he went because he saw something. And we allow our players to make decisions on their own.
"This was different than like a base hit or something. The play was actually in front of him. When there’s a play in the outfield the play is behind him. But this was a play in front of him.”
No matter how big the moment is -- or was -- Mingione is happy his players feel confident enough in their ability and the fact that their teammates and coaches will have the trust in them to make the right decision.
Sunday was no different and it won't be moving forward,
“The fact that he was and felt comfortable enough in his own skin to do that, I’m good with that,” Mingione added. “I’m good with that. When we attack, that is us at our best.
" ... that was just a beautiful way for us to go to Omaha, a guy attacking, and maybe you can just show the Superman picture of him (McCarthy) flying right through there. That would be a cool pic. Cats on the attack."