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Baseball: These Cats have nine lives By Ryan Hoots Sports Director, UntdWeStnd.com Lexington, KY - Kentucky baseball has battled their way back into a conversation that just weeks ago, was useless. A few weeks ago, talk surrounding this year's iteration of the Bat Cats had turned from early season optimism to debating whether the Cats would even make the NCAA Tournament field at all. Now? There is a visible path into which they could not only make it, but they could actually host. It's a long shot, but the shot is there. It exists, even if it is still clinging onto life support. There is hope (albeit small). That is what makes this weekend's series so crucial. In my eyes, Kentucky needs to win one of their next two series to just be comfortably "in". However, the opportunity to change the way people are talking nationally is right there for the taking, and it starts on Friday at Florida. The SEC gives teams the chance to make up ground quickly. Resumes can turn quickly if a team can stack some quality wins together. Kentucky has enough meat left on their conference schedule to do just that. This weekend at Florida seems more promising than the final series of the year when Kentucky will host Arkansas if you are a rational member of BBN. Florida is the series to win. Then, don't get swept by Arkansas. Simple math. That is the equation to at least can participate in the postseason. To host? Win out. Easy, right? Hosting will require a borderline absurd amount of help. Teams expected to host would need to drop series they aren't supposed to, and Kentucky would need to get the win wagon a rollin'. Not likely. But possible. The mere fact that this seems possible speaks volumes to where we thought this team was just a few weeks ago. College baseball seasons are long enough, midweek games are marathons of running new arms in from the bullpen, and conference play is always a gauntlet -- especially if you're Kentucky. This team didn't quit. Are they frustrating at times? Abso-freaking-lutely. The inconsistencies on the mound, the fielding errors, and lack of offense at points made this season about as enjoyable as an appendectomy. In other words, it was gut wrenching and ugly. But Nick Mingione likes ugly. Getting weird, if you will. Nick Mingione's teams often mirror his personality. They fight hard, they get dirty, they are quirky, but most of all...they are competitors. Kentucky keeps showing up when the odds are completely stacked against them. That is something that the BBN as well as Mingione should take pride in. Kentucky has shown flashes of greatness this year. They will need to have more than flashes to break through that figurative glass ceiling of a magical postseason run to Omaha. The next two series are going to decide the season for Kentucky. Will they simply survive? Or will they thrive? (The fan in me hopes the latter.) There is still an underdog story to be written, and this team has the scrappiness to maybe...just maybe...pull it off. Kentucky will kick off their weekend series at Florida on Friday at 5:30 pm, CT. This story was posted on 2026-05-07 10:10:57
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Baseball: Indians at John Hardin on Monday Softball: Indians host Larue County on Monday Baseball: Van Cleave shocks Vandy, Kentucky walks it off Baseball: Adair defeats Green Co. 9-4 Softball: Indians 13-0 over Lady Eagles Chaos or Negligence, You Decide Baseball: UK drops series opener to Mizzou, 5-4 I'm A Dam Runner will be Saturday, May 16 Baseball: Indians travel to Pulaski Co. on Friday Softball: Adair Co. to host Clinton Co. on Tuesday View even more articles in topic Sports |
 
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