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Kentucky rides unlikely go-ahead run off strikeout to sweep Oregon State, reach first-ever CWS

Paul Harvey

By Paul Harvey

Published:

Kentucky’s magical 2024 season is not done yet! After punching a ticket out of the regional round, the Wildcats hosted Oregon State in the Lexington Super Regional with a shot to reach Omaha.

After an emphatic 10-0 shutout Saturday night, Sunday’s game was a low-scoring tight affair. Kentucky would use small ball this time around, scoring a run on an RBI double and another on a squeeze bunt in the 4th inning to build a 2-0 lead.

Oregon State would tie things up in the bottom of the 4th, scoring a pair of unearned runs on bases-loaded walks. The Beavers did not hit a ball out of the infield with 4 walks and a fielding error leading to 2 runs in the inning.

It all led up to a wild sequence in the 7th inning with Nolan McCarthy leading off the frame with a double. He would be stuck there with 1 out when Grant Smith stepped to the plate.

Smith was unable to advance McCarthy, striking out on 3 pitches, but that’s when weirdness ensued. The pitch got by Oregon State’s catcher, and Beaver pitcher Nelson Keljo failed to cover the plate. McCarthy was awake on the bases, rounding 3rd and scoring before Oregon State could recover.

That 3-2 lead was threatened throughout the end of the game. Oregon State would get the tying run in scoring position in the final 3 innings, including getting runners on 1st and 3rd with 2 outs in the bottom of the 9th. Fortunately, Johnny Hummel was called on out of the bullpen to get the final out of the game, striking out Micah McDowell looking to send the Wildcats to Omaha.

Now, the Wildcats are heading to the CWS for the first time in program history. The Wildcats join Florida, Tennessee and Texas A&M as SEC programs to punch their tickets while Georgia will play a Game 3 against NC State on Monday. Fans can track the latest odds for the Wildcats and get in on the action with SDS’s bet365 bonus code KY.

Here are the full highlights from Sunday’s historic win for Kentucky:

Paul Harvey

Paul Harvey lives in Atlanta and covers SEC football.

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