Kentucky's resiliency has impressed Keith Madison. (Vicky Graff Photo)
Former Kentucky baseball coach Keith Madison was sure a win at Vanderbilt would lock UK into the upcoming NCAA Tournament. Instead, the Cats got swept in brutal fashion as Vandy had game-winning homers in the bottom of the ninth inning in the first two games and overcame a 3-0 deficit in the sixth inning to beat UK again.
That left Kentucky 29-23 overall and 13-17 in conference play going into this week’s SEC Tournament. However, Madison believes Kentucky, which reached the College World Series last year for the first time, still should be in the NCAA Tournament.
“This league is just relentless,” said Madison. “I look at Kentucky’s schedule and they have played all of the big boys. They didn’t get to play Missouri, which won only three (SEC) games. A lot of teams with records similar to Kentucky played Missouri.”
Kentucky finished 13th in the SEC one game behind Oklahoma, a team UK swept earlier this month. Mississippi State and Florida both finished 15-15,
“I like Kentucky’s resume. They have a really good resume again and have done all this without a full team,” Madison said. “They have had so many injuries, including season-ending injuries.
“I have been so impressed with the way (coach) Nick (Mingione) and his staff and the way they have put together a lineup every day and even playing so many guys out of position. But Kentucky has good athletes who can adjust to what they have to do.”
Madison knew when UK got swept at Mississippi State that many figured it would end UK’s NCAA hopes but Kentucky responded with the sweep of Oklahoma.
“Every team is different but this team is so resilient,” Madison said. “They have bounced back so many times despite having a decimated roster. Nick’s positivity rubs off on his players and they are just a gritty team that you cannot count out.”
