Nic MCay struck out 12 in a win over No. 2 Tennessee. (UK Athletics Photo)
Nic McCay transferred to Kentucky to show he could compete in the Southeastern Conference and enhance his Major League Baseball draft status.
He got off to a strong start this season but put the national spotlight on himself and Kentucky baseball Saturday with his outstanding pitching in a 4-1 win at No. 2 Tennessee. The right-hander went 7 2/3 innings and struck out a season-high 12, including four straight at one point. His 12 strikeouts were the most by a UK pitcher since Zack Lee in 2023 and the most by any pitcher this season against Tennessee.
He also walked only three Tennessee hitters and did not allow a hit after the third inning. He set season highs in innings, strikeouts and pitches and held the Vols to their lowest scoring total of the season.
That performance earned him Southeastern Conference Pitcher of the Week honors and helped UK get its first series win in Knoxville since 2016.
Kentucky returns to action at home tonight at 6:30 against No. 19 Louisville and a win certainly would help UK’s NCAA Tournament resume.
The Cats (22-15, 8-10 Southeastern Conference) now rank in the top 30 nationally in RPI against the nation’s seventh-toughest schedule. Only Vanderbilt and South Carolina, which plays at UK this weekend, have played more Quad 1 contests.
McCay and Ben Cleaver combined to allow just two earned runs (three total) in 14 2/3 innings at Tennessee. They allowed only seven hits, walked four and struck out 19 in the two games.
The Cats also stole 16 bases in 18 attempts on Saturday and Sunday at Tennessee.
