Grant Smith and his UK teammates host a super regional this week. (Vicky Graff Photo)
Shortstop Grant Smith, one of the nation’s best defensive players, believes playing in a second straight super regional — Kentucky lost at eventual national champion LSU in 2023 — gives UK a better chance to advance to the College World Series this time.
However, he has enjoyed winning back to back regional titles, too.
“So it felt a little different, but winning it, it still feels the same,” Smith said after Sunday’s 5-0 win over Indiana State that clinched the regional title.
Smith made a sensational running catch of a fly ball in left field Sunday that was the No. 1 play ESPN’s SportsCenter Sunday.
“That was pretty good. I don’t know where I would rank it, definitely top two or three probably. Just a crazy play. I honestly don’t even remember,” Smith said. “I kind of blacked out.
“I thought me and Waldy were going to collide, so I’m grateful that didn’t happen, and just the feel he had to see me go after the ball. But yeah, good play.”
Smith said he was going full speed after the fly ball — Indiana State had a runner on third base — and because of the crowd noise could not hear anyone else calling for the ball.
“So just running through my mind I was either going to get knocked out by Waldy or make the catch. Fortunately I made it,” he said.
Kentucky coach Nick Mingione said that explains the mentality of this team.
“That’s exactly what’s amazing about this team. Think about what he just said; he was going to get knocked out. He was going to do everything to get an out. He wasn’t scared. He was fearless. It was amazing,” Mingione said.
Smith was one of those who thought UK would be better than it was in 2023 even if it was unranked going into the season.
“I think we all felt it from day one, just how close the guys started to become and how much we were pulling for each other. There’s definitely uncommon selflessness about this team, much like last year’s team. And I think that’s why we were both able to be successful,” he said.
“But just the depth the team has, the commitment to winning this team has, I think will go — I think it’s paid off pretty well.”
One Response
That was a great play..But I think the wrong play..That was Waldys play. It worked out..Its one of the better one you’ll see.