Vicky Graff Photo
Almost everything about Kentucky’s baseball season was special to UK fans who climbed aboard the bandwagon for a regular-season SEC championship and first College World Series berth in school history.
But what was special about this team to the players?
“To start with, everyone was committed to our goal. And we’ve had this goal of going to Omaha, winning a national championship,” outfielder Nolan McCarthy said after UK’s season ended Wednesday with a 15-4 loss to Florida. “We fell a little short. But from the freshmen who got 15 ABs (at-bats) locked in doing a chart on every pitch, just giving it their all. They emptied their tank. Everyone emptied their tank.
“That’s what was special about this team. Everyone cared so much and they would empty the tank no matter if they were playing every day, hitting .350 or if they weren’t even on the roster, doing what they could do to make us better. Everyone bought in, unselfish. That’s what made the team special.”
Pitcher Ryan Hagenow said the players “believed in ourselves no matter what was going on” the entire season.
“We knew our season was going to end here, winner or loser. Obviously we would have liked to have been winners. But we knew our season would end here in Omaha,” Hagenow said. “I think just that belief that the whole team had in each other and the staff, whenever they made a call, just complete trust in every single person in our locker room. It’s been pretty awesome.”
Both players were emotional after the Florida loss when they walked to the stands to see their parents.
Hagenow said his parents got him into baseball and have always been by his side.
“Obviously seeing them makes it pretty tough because it takes a lot of sacrifice from our families for us to be able to play at this level,” he said. “It’s my senior year. So knowing that that was probably the last time I’ll hug them after a game got to me pretty good.”
McCarthy said players battle together daily but postgame hugs after a loss with parents are difficult.
“They’re in the fight with you too. My dad’s as into it as anyone. He also got me into baseball,” McCarthy said. “I can count on two hands as many games he’s missed since I’ve started playing. And the sacrifices they’ve made, it’s been unbelievable. And I love them for that. And that’s why the emotions hit so much harder when you’ve got to talk to your parents after the game.
“Man, they were happy to be here. It didn’t go the way we wanted it to. But the whole parent group has been amazing and so supportive.”
9 Responses
Congratulations on forging new ground for the UK baseball program. As a fan, I completely enjoyed the ride this spring and early summer.
Yes, it is a little disappointing how it ended, but the ending does not detract from the journey.
Cats caught 2 pitchers who threw career best games vs UK. Florida scores 15 against us, then zero a few hours later. That’s just the breaks of tournament play.
Landmark season was a lot of fun for fans. These guys laid a great foundation for future trips to Omaha!
In the meantime, go Aggies – beat Tennessee!
Baseball can be a crazy game
When I was a young Detroit Tiger fan grieving over each loss, my dad helped me understand that the very best team in baseball loses 1/3 of its games regardless of talent, and the very worst team in baseball wins 1/3 of its games regardless of talent. That is the nature of a baseball for a season. The standings are set by what teams do in the other 1/3 of their games.
I also was taught early that for the most part, great pitching will beat great hitting.
I think UK baseball needs to improve its pitching, not only it starting pitches, but the depth of the bullpen. The CWS format exposes poor pitching depth. Texas A&M and UT each won their first 2 games. It should not be a surprise that both advance to the final series against each other. While the double elimation format does give a losing team hope to advance despite losing in either of the first two games, it is very difficult to pull off.
Travis Smith who came in and mowed down the Florida batters he face throwing absolute seeds is hitting the portal.. He’s got an arm. Big loss in my opinion. Not many throw 98.
With you on that Grant. I thought Smith would be huge next year
You had a wise father Professor
Very fickle
I too enjoyed this team. Disappointed in the last two games but very proud of our Baseball team and coaches.