Vicky Graff Photo
Kentucky has never won a game in the Super Regionals and hopes to reverse the trend this weekend.
The Wildcats (40-19) will open a best-of-three series against Southeastern Conference foe LSU Saturday in Baton Rouge. First pitch is set for 3 p.m. Kentucky lost two of three games in April against the Tigers in Baton Rouge during the regular season.
“I think any time you can bring student-athletes and give them an experience they’ve had before can always be a good thing,” Kentucky coach Nick Mingione said. “The fact that everybody on this team has been down there before, that’s definitely a good thing and an experience that we can definitely draw from.”
In its last appearance in the Super Regionals in 2017, Kentucky was swept by Louisville and took a similar path this season.
Kentucky won three straight, including two in a row over border rival Indian after falling into the elimination bracket to win the Lexington Regional last weekend at Kentucky Proud Park.
“This is a special team,” Mingione said of his squad. “A bunch of competitive people. Their term is ‘dogs’ and I would agree. They’re a bunch of dogs and I love being their coach.”
In addition, Kentucky shortstop Grant Smith said the Wildcats have had a desire to win the entire season.
“I think we’re all really hungry to win,” he said. “Really hungry to get after it. Not a lot of us have had this opportunity before so we’re trying to make the most of it. Most importantly just put our heads down and really get after it.”
LSU (46-15), the No. 12 seed, will be making its 16th Super Regional appearance and is one of six Southeastern Conference teams in the field. Center fielder Dylan Crews and right-handed pitcher Paul Skenes are two of the top seven prospects in the second leg of the NCAA Tournament. Both players are finalists for the Dick Howser Trophy.
The Tigers won the Baton Rouge Regional last weekend with wins over Tulane and a pair of victories over Oregon State.
