Coach, Players Appreciative of What BBN did to Help Team get to Omaha

Vicky Graff Photo

An emotional Nick Mingione couldn’t hide his pride after Kentucky beat Oregon State 3-2 early Monday morning to earn No. 2 UK’s first trip to the College World Series in Omaha.

“My heart is filled with gratitude. So proud of these players, coaches, staff, former players, former coaches, former staff members that have just poured so much into this program,” Mingione said to open his postgame press conference.

“Thankful for our fans. Big Blue Nation was unbelievable these last three weeks. Even dating back to the last regular season series of the year, just absolutely incredible. Our fans really showed out. This is my plea to get them to come to Omaha, create that same environment.

“Our players, they’re unbelievable. They have true grit, true toughness, unbelievable belief, real belief in one another and each other. And their true love for one another really showed. It really showed — not only this weekend but really all season long, just truly amazing.

“And I want to spread a special thanks to our other coaches and staff members. There’s no way this happens without them. So just so thankful for these group of men and what they’ve been able to do, what they’re going to continue to do. Gave us all an experience we’ll never forget.”

Kentucky’s 45 wins going into the World Series tie the school record for wins. The crow of 7,558 Sunday night set a new all-time UK attendance record — the previous mark was 7,448 on Saturday.

Catcher Devin Burkes, UK’s emotional leader, said it was “crazy” what has happened for this team.

“You always, you know you’re going to get there (Omaha). You’re confident in getting there with your squad. But, man, when it actually happens, it’s like you look around and you’re like, ‘’We’re going to Omaha.’ You know what I’m saying? It’s crazy,” Burkes said.

“We all couldn’t have done it without the coaching staff, Mr. Mitch Barnhart, all the higher-ups, everybody. Everybody is all hands on deck when it comes to this.”

The Cats praised the fans who created such a raucous environment for them at Kentucky Proud Park.

“We could totally feel them all week. I was sitting on my couch with my roommates this morning, it was like, ’It’s a 9 p.m. game. Do you think they’ll show out?’” outfielder Nolan McCarthy, who scored the winning run from second base on a wild pitch, said.

“This is the craziest atmosphere I’ve been around. And we played in the super regional at the Box (LSU) last year. Just absolute support from those guys. And it’s amazing. It’s amazing that BBN showed out. And it was absolutely a home field advantage. Whether it was a neutral site, it was a home field advantage. It was awesome.”

Relief pitcher Robert Hogan said it was the “coolest thing” to see fans showing up 1 1/2 hours before a 9 p.m. game.

“You see people running to their seats. It’s like, ‘Holy cow.’ It’s kind of surreal coming to see us play,” Hogan said. “I mean, it’s something, it makes us want to play for them and play for this state even more because having them there, it means a lot. It shows that they’re here for us. And that just makes us want to do better.”

Cameron O’Brien, who gave UK outstanding relief pitching Sunday, said Burkes’ emotion helps but the fans put the Cats over the top.

“Nothing like BBN getting loud when you get two strikes or get a big out. It’s really special and really helps us out on the field,” O’Brien said.