Kentucky one win from College World Series after beating Oregon State, 10-0

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — The upset virus made an appearance in the NCAA Baseball Tournament Super Regionals Saturday.

Several appearances, actually.

Top-ranked Tennessee tumbled at home against Evansville. Clemson, ranked third, lost to visiting Florida. No. 10 Georgia, another super regional host, stumbled against North Carolina State.

The brighter lights and higher stakes were no issue for coach Nick Mingione’s second-ranked surging University of Kentucky squad.

The Wildcats (44-14) moved within one victory of their first trip to the College World Series. They dispatched No. 7 Oregon State, 10-0, in front of a record crowd of 7,441 fans at Kentucky Proud Park in Lexington Saturday night.

In 36 innings over four NCAA Tournament games, the Wildcats have yet to trail. Last Sunday, Indiana State suffered its first shutout all season against the Wildcats in the regional final, and this game was Oregon State’s first shutout in 2024.

Trey Pooser, UK’s ace right-handed starting pitcher. allowed only a single in seven strong innings. Pooser, whose record improved to 7-1, struck out eight while walking four.

“He got some swing and miss on some pitches and he also let our defense get involved,” Mingione said.

"He's one of the best pitches in the SEC and nobody knows about him," UK first baseman Ryan Nicholson said. "He's as cool as the other side of the pillow."

Oregon State second baseman Travis Bazzana is projected by many to be the first, second or third pick in the 2024 Major League Baseball Draft. In four appearances against Pooser, Bazzana struck out, grounded out to second, lined out to left and walked.

Nicholson, a graduate of St. Xavier High School in Louisville, doubled home Nick Lopez for the Wildcats’ first run in the second inning. Nicholson added a three-run home run in the seventh. It was the third consecutive game he has homered as well as his 21st this season, his first with the Wildcats after transferring from Cincinnati.

"Overall, a very solid game," Nicholson said.

Kentucky second baseman Emilien Pitre doubled home two more runs in the fifth against Oregon State starting pitcher Aiden May, who had won his first seven decisions this season.

“It was a little bit of small ball (a single, hit batter and walk) and a little bit of power,” Mingione said.

The Wildcats blew the game open in the seventh, scoring seven runs with only two hits when Oregon State pitchers walked five UK hitters. Left-hander Jackson Nove pitched two scoreless innings in relief to finish the game for UK, striking out four of six hitters.

The Wildcats and Beavers will continue their best of three series Sunday at 9 p.m. in Lexington with Oregon State as the home team.

"Just another game at home," Nicholson said. "One is nothing. Two is what matters this weekend."

If UK wins, the Wildcats will advance to the College World Series in Omaha, Nebraska, which starts June 14. If Oregon State wins, the teams will play a decisive game three on Monday.