May 12, 2026 • 20 mins
Darren Headrick talks with Head Coach Nick Mingione
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Hello everybody, Welcome in to the final edition of the
Nickmnjeon radio Show for this season. The Cats have one
sec series left. They'll host the Arkansas Razorbacks and what
will be senior weekend at Kentucky Proud Park. Over the
next half hour, we'll recap this past weekend at Florida,
including seven and a half hours of rain delays down
(00:20):
in Gainesville, and we will also look ahead to that
series with Arkansas, and we'll talk about the seniors and
the guys that mean so much to this program who
might be playing their final regular well, they are playing
their final regular season home games this weekend at KPP,
so join us for the Nick MinJe oonned Radio Show.
Coach will be with us when we come back on
(00:41):
the UK Sports Network. Welcome back to the Nick menje
Oon Show Here on the UK Sports Network. Coaches alongside
us now and a real quick note before we dive
in that Arkansas series this week is Thursday through Saturday,
as the regular season winds up at that last series
always Thursday through Saturday, so take note of that in
(01:01):
your Calendar's Kentuck you'll play at six thirty Saturday, six
thirty on Friday, and then wrap up on Saturday in
the Arkansas Series presented by UK Healthcare, the official hospital
of Big Blue Nation. Coach, your team is back from
Gainesville where you played three very competitive, very challenging games,
(01:21):
but also you had to deal with external factors in
this one. How did your team do it this week?
They did great.
Speaker 2 (01:28):
You know, for seven and a half hours we sat
around that stadium with tours of the no But I'll
tell you what I did do is I got a
chance to just watch them just spend time with each other.
And you know, we have this policy where we don't
have our cell phones in the dugout and even during
(01:51):
rain delay, so they keep all their cell phones on
the bus. So what we did was we spend seven
and a half hours together and face to face human interaction.
And it was certainly great for him and I actually
thought it helped us get closer as a team. Anytime
you can put that many guys in one small space,
they had their batting cage or pitching lab, or had
(02:12):
two cages, and they just hung out and spend time together.
Speaker 1 (02:15):
How did you see them manage the uncertainty of when
the game would start, where you don't want to get mentally.
You don't want to turn on mentally too soon and
then you've burned yourself out. But at the same time,
you got to sit around and wait. How did you
see them manage that mental aspect of it. One of
the things I learned during COVID, and I actually heard
(02:37):
the Greg Sankee, the Commissioner of the SEC, say this
on one of our many zooms, and he said, in
times of uncertainty, what people crave and are looking for
is clarity. So in times of uncertainty, what people are
looking and craving is clarity.
Speaker 3 (02:53):
So I did the best job I could.
Speaker 2 (02:55):
As the leader of the program, just communicating with them like, hey,
here's where we're at. The game to be starting anytime soon.
What I will do is I'll give you about a
five minute heads up and then the game will start
an hour from there.
Speaker 3 (03:07):
So you guys just spend time with each other.
Speaker 2 (03:09):
You guys, get comfortable, lay around, take a nap, do whatever.
Play Hagey Sack, play Mafia, the games that they play.
Speaker 3 (03:16):
And I said, but that's what I'll do.
Speaker 2 (03:18):
I'll give you a five minute heads up and then
the game will start in an hour from there. So
you guys have plenty of time, and I thought, there
are people did a good job keeping us in the loop.
Speaker 3 (03:28):
And you know how much I love weather.
Speaker 2 (03:29):
I've had to become a part time meteorologist, not really,
but so we just tracked it and we followed it,
and I thought, maybe one time this weekend it was
a little uncertain, but that's that's what's going to happen
with weather, and the guys did a great job with it.
Speaker 1 (03:44):
Yeah, Florida weather, especially this time of year, and you
know all too well how unpredictable it can be, including
Sunday in the middle of the games where the sun
would be shining on the field and it's raining. There's
no clouds over the ballpark, it's raining. But we got
all three games in. Let's talk about a little bit.
I want to start with the pitching, because everybody is
(04:04):
still even on Monday, buzzing about Jackson jelkins performance nine innings,
one and twenty eight pitches. Just refused to come off
the mound and refuse to lose the game he did.
I mean, what an outing And you know, for somebody
to be that gutsy and Darren.
Speaker 3 (04:21):
Mcnoe's sake about it.
Speaker 2 (04:22):
He was out and I was on my way out
to take him out and I look up and we
make eye contact and he's like and.
Speaker 3 (04:30):
He's shaking his head out.
Speaker 2 (04:32):
And we had already done to visit the one visit
that inning with Coach Rozel, so if I go out there,
he's got to come out. And he's just shaking and
said no, and I kind of look at him and
I'm like and he's like no, and I'm like, Okay.
Speaker 3 (04:43):
It's yours. I talked to the staff.
Speaker 2 (04:45):
I'm like, we're going for it, like he ain't coming out,
and he deserved it, and the team felt it. And
the best pitchers I've ever coached there and when times
get tough, they have another level and there's another gear.
And for him to be that far along and he's
still throwing about ninety.
Speaker 3 (05:02):
Six I was about to say ninety six miles.
Speaker 1 (05:04):
An hour, and he took his game to another level.
But that's what the great pitchers do, no doubt about it.
And he wasn't the only one who had bright performances.
How about the job Friday night that Jack Sam's and
Ben Cleaver did just to battle through those innings to
keep Florida off the scoreboard.
Speaker 2 (05:21):
Yeah, they were fantastic, and it started with Ben. I
mean to give us four shutout innings. I'm sorry to
give up the one run on the home run.
Speaker 3 (05:30):
It was a two zero count.
Speaker 2 (05:31):
But for us to just settle that game, you know,
I thought we played great defensively, and then jack to
come in behind him with the three shutout innings was
just masterful, both those guys and really, quite frankly, we
dominated the game for over seven innings and we weren't
able to finish it out. And I will say this,
(05:51):
the job that our team did bouncing back and responding
the next day was truly remarkable. I mean, that was
a full on heartbreaker, sure right, like not all losses
feel the same. They all hurt, but some of them
just sting more than others based off of the events
that lead up to it.
Speaker 3 (06:08):
They all hurt, but the way our team.
Speaker 2 (06:10):
Bounced back was just absolutely incredible, and it started with Jackson.
Speaker 1 (06:15):
On the other side of things, Let's talk about some hitters.
Luke Lawrence was five for twelve with two doubles, six
RBIs and we haven't even scratched the surface of the
things he did. Defensively. I thought Luke had a tremendous
series in games ball he did.
Speaker 2 (06:29):
I mean, he does what he does and he just
competes and makes hard contact, got a couple doubles that
were big for us. He obviously was on base, and
you know, I thought, you know, he didn't make the
one play on Saturday, literally walks to Jackson and says, hey,
get me another one, and the next batter he gets
them another ground ball to where Hindell dives.
Speaker 3 (06:52):
He doesn't make the play. Luke dives, he does get it.
Speaker 2 (06:55):
Hindle gets back, makes a play and you and I
have talked about this, but in life, you sometimes you
need second in effort.
Speaker 3 (07:00):
It's not your first effort, but it's the second effort,
and Luke did that.
Speaker 2 (07:03):
I mean, Darren, this is a guy that I mean,
he wasn't feeling well yesterday and just gritted out another
unbelievable performance. So you know, I feel like we can
talk about him every show because you know, we say
in our program consistency compounds, and he's one of.
Speaker 3 (07:19):
The most consistent players on our team. Absolutely, and real quick.
Speaker 1 (07:23):
I just want to touch on Jase Tarnish because he
stole two bases on Sunday that gives him twenty seven
on the year.
Speaker 3 (07:28):
That's a new single season.
Speaker 1 (07:30):
High for the last ten years of Kentucky baseball, and
it ranks tenth for the most in a single season
in school history.
Speaker 3 (07:37):
A young man can fly.
Speaker 2 (07:39):
And he he's a very intelligent base runner. There was
a sequence this weekend and I know you saw this,
but we have. He has a green light and he
can run well. He starts to steal with the pitcher
glidesteps and he shuts it down. So then a couple
of pitches go by and he does the highlight kick
and this time he goes. An inexperienced based runner would
(08:02):
just go, oh, yeah, he's going to the plate, but
he notices that he didn't pick his foot up quite
as high and it stayed a little over the ground.
Speaker 3 (08:08):
So it's like, no, I'm not going to go. But
his ability to just be.
Speaker 2 (08:11):
Able to recognize the little small minute details I go
into being a late elite based dealer, he's certainly one
of them.
Speaker 1 (08:19):
Here on the Nick Min's You Oones Show, this is
our last episode of the season. Is Kentucky wraps up
the regular season against Arkansas starting on Thursday, And we
got a couple of minutes left in this segment, so
I wanted to start talking about the seniors that will
be recognized for the final home series this weekend. Let's
start with some guys who have earned their degrees coach,
(08:39):
but have eligibility remaining, and Jase Tarnish is.
Speaker 3 (08:42):
One of those guys. Jackson Jelkin is another.
Speaker 2 (08:45):
Yeah, these are two guys that obviously play a crucial role.
And you know, we started this deal a couple of
years ago because of the COVID and eligibility. Usually it's like, hey,
seniors or senior, he's got no more eligibility, but now
with red shirts and COVID years in grad, I mean,
there's just like all these things. But obviously Jase is
a guy and same thing with Jackson that are gonna
(09:07):
have I believe him hard to have some pro opportunities,
So happy for them to earn their degrees. Obviously hard
work goes into that. But these are two guys, I mean,
we wouldn't be where we're at without them, and their
importance and their impact on the season has just been incredible.
Speaker 1 (09:24):
Tagger Tyson is another one that earned his degree but
has some eligibility remaining, and he has been sort of
that veteran voice behind the plate alongside your rookie Owen
Jenkins at the catching position. Yeah, Tagger's hard to just
do whatever, and just did whatever we can help the
team this weekend.
Speaker 3 (09:41):
Did an awesome job.
Speaker 2 (09:42):
We got to pinch hit, got two strikes on him,
gets the ball and play gets a huge hit for us.
But yeah, his ability and his desire to win. He cares, Darren,
he cares, and the way he continues to just serve
our team even when he's not in the game has
been impressive.
Speaker 1 (09:56):
Let's go ahead and take our first time out with Coach.
When we come back, we'll talk about some more of
the seniors, including the ones who will be honored for
Senior Day this weekend as the Cats welcome Arkansas. This
is the Nick Men's Jones Show here on the UK
Sports Network. Welcome Back, final segment of the Nick Men's
Jones Show for this week and for this season. I coach,
I can't believe we're already in the last show of
(10:17):
the year, but the regular season is almost done. The
Cats have three SEC games left. They'll host Arkansas beginning Thursday.
It is Senior Weekend at Kentucky Proud Park. So We
look forward to seeing all a big blue nation out
there to support these guys and honor some amazing senior athletes.
We were talking about graduates with eligibility remaining before the
(10:38):
end of the last segment. There are a couple of
more guys that wanted to mention Chase Alderman, Ryan Mullen.
They have been a big part of this bullpen this season,
especially Mullen and that fireman role he does.
Speaker 3 (10:49):
He has just embraced that.
Speaker 2 (10:50):
And you know, to have that fireman role, that's got
to be a position and a situation that you want
so think about the job. And he's done where we
brought him in as though did know out second and
third runner here, runner there.
Speaker 3 (11:03):
He's embraced it.
Speaker 2 (11:04):
And he Ryan is a guy that loves Kentucky, and
you know, one of these guys that has been in
the transfer portal has been somewhere else, so he knows
what it's like on the other side and he's been
very appreciative. And then you mentioned Chase Alderman. Just for
him to be able to come back from the injury.
Speaker 3 (11:20):
Is victory in itself.
Speaker 2 (11:23):
There's been times where he's had great alans or times
where maybe he didn't have the outing he wants. But
one thing I'll say about Chase is him as a
human being.
Speaker 3 (11:30):
He's so consistent, so consistent.
Speaker 2 (11:32):
And the fact that he has gotten to be able
to overcome two injuries and now get to full health
has been big and I look forward to watching him
progress as.
Speaker 3 (11:42):
We move along.
Speaker 1 (11:42):
Another one who hasn't had the season he'd hoped for
is Alex Stuff. Just a tough year with the injury.
Speaker 2 (11:48):
Yeah, And I often say that you learn a lot
about somebody by the way they act when things don't
go their way, and he has been an incredible teammate Darren, like,
I don't know how.
Speaker 3 (11:57):
He could be better.
Speaker 2 (11:58):
He's gotten into the fight with oj of just like
not the fight, the fight of gotten into the fight
of the season, you know, and is in there trying
to help him and be alongside and trying to just anything.
Speaker 3 (12:12):
Like Duffy's a guy that.
Speaker 2 (12:13):
He's played a lot of college baseball and has a
lot of college experience. So the way that he has
continued to serve our team and do whatever he can
help has been truly remarkable.
Speaker 1 (12:22):
And one of the guys that has been huge in
the dugout for this team because he was not able
to contribute on the field this year either was prior.
And I know that is a young man. You bring
his name up and there's a smile on a guy's
face instantly.
Speaker 2 (12:35):
Yeah, he has a desire to win, and he is
in a lot of ways, has embraced being that guy
in the dugout that people can lean on and his
saying he has He says the right thing at the
right time. And you know, sometimes when you do an
eighteen to twenty four year olds, sometimes they say the
right thing at the.
Speaker 3 (12:55):
Wrong time or they say the wrong thing at the
wrong time.
Speaker 2 (12:59):
But he's a guy that has just totally embraced what
it means to be at Kentucky and his desire to
win is certainly high.
Speaker 1 (13:06):
It's going to be a special weekend and emotional one
for the guys that are playing their final regular season
home games with Kentucky. We've already talked about him on
the show once, so let's just start with Luke Lawrence
and what that young man has meant in his two
years in Blue. A leader is somebody who knows the way, goes.
Speaker 2 (13:23):
Away and shows the way, and that's Luke Lawrence. Ye
he knows the way he goes away and he shows
away and there is not a person in our program
does not respect him at the highest level. And man,
I'm gonna miss being around him, and I know the
fans will too, because he is embraces and embodies what
it means to be a Kentucky Wildcat.
Speaker 1 (13:45):
No doubt about it. Hey, will Marcy hit a three
run homer on Sunday. He's going to be a Wildcat
on ORed Yes, got a chance.
Speaker 2 (13:51):
You know, when you have these long rain delays and
you sit in airports, you get time to really just
spend some time with the guys. And he and I
spent some good time yesterday talking fishing and showing them
pictures of reeves and all his fish. And you know,
this is a guy that has battled some injuries this year,
but man, he waits his turn, and when we call
on him, he's ready.
Speaker 3 (14:12):
He is ready.
Speaker 2 (14:13):
We saw that in Saturday's game. He comes in as
a defensive replacement and immediately.
Speaker 3 (14:17):
First ball's crushed.
Speaker 2 (14:18):
Zz catches it and it's hard to serve. Our team
has been awesome, and his ability to really put his
body on the line to help us win has been great.
Speaker 1 (14:29):
A young man that's been around the program for a
couple of years now. Carson Hansen came to you from Milwaukee.
You guys have a great pipeline up there in the
Chicago Milwaukee area, and Carson's another one.
Speaker 2 (14:39):
Yeah, and you talk about another guy that's been consistent,
you know, as a human being. I know this season
at this point hasn't gone the way that he's hoped for,
and at times it has, but I will tell you this.
Speaker 3 (14:50):
He is this close from just exploding again.
Speaker 2 (14:54):
And he continues to work, He continues to pour into
the team, He continues to help our guys. He has
been huge for braxt Van Cleeve to just a freshman
that's gotten some opportunities. And yeah, I'm looking forward to
watching how this season progresses because he's definitely moving in
the right direction.
Speaker 1 (15:12):
Talk to me about the growth a little bit for
Nile Adcock, a young man who jumped into the big
waters of the SEC and we've seen him really grow
into the role this year.
Speaker 3 (15:20):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (15:21):
I mean, we do peer reviews and evaluations and at
the fall, at the end of the Fall, one of
the questions we ask is whose habits and discipline sets
them up to be successful in the future, and he
got some of the most votes on the entire team.
The guys just respect him. How consistency he is. You know,
you keep hearing me use that word, but that is him.
(15:42):
He has put himself in a position he set highs
on his velocity, his breaking ball. Everything about Nile's game
has gotten better and it's because of the person in
the discipline he has. So it's been fun to watch
him progress and do so well this season.
Speaker 1 (15:55):
Scott Kimball Junior, if you follow his career coach, has
been a great story from the JUCO ranks to Charleston
Southern usc up, stayed a part of a championship team
that made a regional and now he's in the SEC
and Mann does he have one of the more accurate,
powerful arms in this league.
Speaker 2 (16:12):
I mean, it's the best outfield arm that I've coached
in sona Renfro who was the first rounder and played
in the big leagues for so many years. Scott's tool
set is impressive when you think about the run, to
hit the field, to throw.
Speaker 3 (16:22):
In the power.
Speaker 2 (16:23):
He possesses a ton of tools and at any point
in time he can impact the game. And there's no
doubt that. He has certainly helped us win a lot
of games, especially with his arm.
Speaker 1 (16:34):
Jack Bennett from Paducah comes to Kentucky this year and
has contributed seven saves out of the bullpit.
Speaker 2 (16:41):
A guy that loves Kentucky and it's been his dream
the pitch here and I'm so thankful he's a wildcat because.
Speaker 3 (16:47):
He'll be one forever.
Speaker 2 (16:49):
And you know, one of the greatest compliments you can
give a picture is you just hand him over the
ball when the game's on the line, and he saves
seven of them for us, and he's helped us win
a lot more. This guy loves Kentucky and I'm so
happy that we get somebody number one that loves Kentucky.
Then to be as good as he is. He has been
(17:09):
really neat, and you know, him being married, it's been
a neat thing for our team too, you know. But
the maturity and the way this guy goes about his
work is second to none.
Speaker 1 (17:19):
Jackson Soussi comes to Kentucky this year. He is a
delight to talk to off the field, and he has
gotten some big outs on the field.
Speaker 3 (17:27):
You talk about energy man, this guy he can light
up a room.
Speaker 2 (17:31):
He and you talk about vibes, he is like all
Vibes team for Kentucky.
Speaker 3 (17:37):
Like when he's in the room and he's around, he makes.
Speaker 2 (17:40):
Us all better just with his presence and just being
around him just brings you joy and brings a smile
to your face. One because he brings good vibes. But
number two, like he has comedic timing. He can make
you he can make you laugh. And but yeah, I
just love what he's done for us on the field.
He continues to work, he gets better. I feel like
with each eye, especially of late, he's throwing the ball better.
(18:02):
Got to have a huge basis loaded jam this weekend.
But yeah, All Vibes Team.
Speaker 1 (18:07):
Jackson Sussy got a couple of minutes left in the show,
a couple more seniors to talk about. Tyler Serni has
brought experience, a winning pedigree, and an ability to play
anywhere you need him to do a team this year.
Speaker 2 (18:19):
Yeah, the way he has just stepped in and just
took on a new.
Speaker 3 (18:23):
Position, came to a new team. The players love him.
He is. It's been really neat.
Speaker 2 (18:29):
We had maybe a month ago, we had a conversation
and just some of the guys and how close. He's
gotten to some of the guys like they'll be friends
for life. But the guy's paid him a really nice
compliment this weekend. He obviously didn't get on the field
as much as he would like, but they mentioned him
about staying engaged being the teammate he is.
Speaker 3 (18:49):
And again you learn a lot.
Speaker 2 (18:51):
About somebody why they act when things don't go their way.
And he has just continued to work, prepare and serve
our team at a really high level. Guy that I'll
certainly miss a year from now.
Speaker 1 (19:02):
One more senior to mention before we get out of
here coaching that Tyrah Austin, the fourth who came to
you from Metarey, Louisiana, had no idea it.
Speaker 2 (19:08):
Was such a good dancer I mean talk about I mean,
I think he's probably got to be the best dancer
on the team. Like but he's like vibe and during
the games like he is all there. But this is
two pitchers and one and that's not easy to be
able to throw from here and to hear and his
competitive spirit just walking up next time he comes in.
Just like watch his competitive spirit and his competitive look
(19:30):
on his face. The guys have a lot of respect
for him and obviously, like you mentioned, coming from Louisiana
and I asked him one time, I mean, like, what's
it like down there, comp He's like, it's so different, Coach,
But even for him in his life to be able
to get really away from home for the first time
and to meet new friends and the way he's fitting.
Speaker 3 (19:51):
With the team has been great.
Speaker 1 (19:53):
Well, Coach, that's the time for our last show of
the season. It's been a lot of fun doing this
once again with you. We've got plenty of base ball left.
Three games against Arkansas to finish out the SEC stretch
and we will see you at the ballpark.
Speaker 2 (20:06):
Thank you and thank you Daron, thanks to the staff,
to everyone to help put on this show. I mean,
the reason why it's a great show is because of
you and everybody that's helped. So thank you to the BBN.
Come out and see us this weekend. We need your support.
Go CAATs for one final time. This has been the
nickmne you Own show here on the UK Sports Network.
Hello everybody, Welcome in to the final edition of the
Nickmnjeon radio Show for this season. The Cats have one
sec series left. They'll host the Arkansas Razorbacks and what
will be senior weekend at Kentucky Proud Park. Over the
next half hour, we'll recap this past weekend at Florida,
including seven and a half hours of rain delays down
(00:20):
in Gainesville, and we will also look ahead to that
series with Arkansas, and we'll talk about the seniors and
the guys that mean so much to this program who
might be playing their final regular well, they are playing
their final regular season home games this weekend at KPP,
so join us for the Nick MinJe oonned Radio Show.
Coach will be with us when we come back on
(00:41):
the UK Sports Network. Welcome back to the Nick menje
Oon Show Here on the UK Sports Network. Coaches alongside
us now and a real quick note before we dive
in that Arkansas series this week is Thursday through Saturday,
as the regular season winds up at that last series
always Thursday through Saturday, so take note of that in
(01:01):
your Calendar's Kentuck you'll play at six thirty Saturday, six
thirty on Friday, and then wrap up on Saturday in
the Arkansas Series presented by UK Healthcare, the official hospital
of Big Blue Nation. Coach, your team is back from
Gainesville where you played three very competitive, very challenging games,
(01:21):
but also you had to deal with external factors in
this one. How did your team do it this week?
They did great.
Speaker 2 (01:28):
You know, for seven and a half hours we sat
around that stadium with tours of the no But I'll
tell you what I did do is I got a
chance to just watch them just spend time with each other.
And you know, we have this policy where we don't
have our cell phones in the dugout and even during
(01:51):
rain delay, so they keep all their cell phones on
the bus. So what we did was we spend seven
and a half hours together and face to face human interaction.
And it was certainly great for him and I actually
thought it helped us get closer as a team. Anytime
you can put that many guys in one small space,
they had their batting cage or pitching lab, or had
(02:12):
two cages, and they just hung out and spend time together.
Speaker 1 (02:15):
How did you see them manage the uncertainty of when
the game would start, where you don't want to get mentally.
You don't want to turn on mentally too soon and
then you've burned yourself out. But at the same time,
you got to sit around and wait. How did you
see them manage that mental aspect of it. One of
the things I learned during COVID, and I actually heard
(02:37):
the Greg Sankee, the Commissioner of the SEC, say this
on one of our many zooms, and he said, in
times of uncertainty, what people crave and are looking for
is clarity. So in times of uncertainty, what people are
looking and craving is clarity.
Speaker 3 (02:53):
So I did the best job I could.
Speaker 2 (02:55):
As the leader of the program, just communicating with them like, hey,
here's where we're at. The game to be starting anytime soon.
What I will do is I'll give you about a
five minute heads up and then the game will start
an hour from there.
Speaker 3 (03:07):
So you guys just spend time with each other.
Speaker 2 (03:09):
You guys, get comfortable, lay around, take a nap, do whatever.
Play Hagey Sack, play Mafia, the games that they play.
Speaker 3 (03:16):
And I said, but that's what I'll do.
Speaker 2 (03:18):
I'll give you a five minute heads up and then
the game will start in an hour from there. So
you guys have plenty of time, and I thought, there
are people did a good job keeping us in the loop.
Speaker 3 (03:28):
And you know how much I love weather.
Speaker 2 (03:29):
I've had to become a part time meteorologist, not really,
but so we just tracked it and we followed it,
and I thought, maybe one time this weekend it was
a little uncertain, but that's that's what's going to happen
with weather, and the guys did a great job with it.
Speaker 1 (03:44):
Yeah, Florida weather, especially this time of year, and you
know all too well how unpredictable it can be, including
Sunday in the middle of the games where the sun
would be shining on the field and it's raining. There's
no clouds over the ballpark, it's raining. But we got
all three games in. Let's talk about a little bit.
I want to start with the pitching, because everybody is
(04:04):
still even on Monday, buzzing about Jackson jelkins performance nine innings,
one and twenty eight pitches. Just refused to come off
the mound and refuse to lose the game he did.
I mean, what an outing And you know, for somebody
to be that gutsy and Darren.
Speaker 3 (04:21):
Mcnoe's sake about it.
Speaker 2 (04:22):
He was out and I was on my way out
to take him out and I look up and we
make eye contact and he's like and.
Speaker 3 (04:30):
He's shaking his head out.
Speaker 2 (04:32):
And we had already done to visit the one visit
that inning with Coach Rozel, so if I go out there,
he's got to come out. And he's just shaking and
said no, and I kind of look at him and
I'm like and he's like no, and I'm like, Okay.
Speaker 3 (04:43):
It's yours. I talked to the staff.
Speaker 2 (04:45):
I'm like, we're going for it, like he ain't coming out,
and he deserved it, and the team felt it. And
the best pitchers I've ever coached there and when times
get tough, they have another level and there's another gear.
And for him to be that far along and he's
still throwing about ninety.
Speaker 3 (05:02):
Six I was about to say ninety six miles.
Speaker 1 (05:04):
An hour, and he took his game to another level.
But that's what the great pitchers do, no doubt about it.
And he wasn't the only one who had bright performances.
How about the job Friday night that Jack Sam's and
Ben Cleaver did just to battle through those innings to
keep Florida off the scoreboard.
Speaker 2 (05:21):
Yeah, they were fantastic, and it started with Ben. I
mean to give us four shutout innings. I'm sorry to
give up the one run on the home run.
Speaker 3 (05:30):
It was a two zero count.
Speaker 2 (05:31):
But for us to just settle that game, you know,
I thought we played great defensively, and then jack to
come in behind him with the three shutout innings was
just masterful, both those guys and really, quite frankly, we
dominated the game for over seven innings and we weren't
able to finish it out. And I will say this,
(05:51):
the job that our team did bouncing back and responding
the next day was truly remarkable. I mean, that was
a full on heartbreaker, sure right, like not all losses
feel the same. They all hurt, but some of them
just sting more than others based off of the events
that lead up to it.
Speaker 3 (06:08):
They all hurt, but the way our team.
Speaker 2 (06:10):
Bounced back was just absolutely incredible, and it started with Jackson.
Speaker 1 (06:15):
On the other side of things, Let's talk about some hitters.
Luke Lawrence was five for twelve with two doubles, six
RBIs and we haven't even scratched the surface of the
things he did. Defensively. I thought Luke had a tremendous
series in games ball he did.
Speaker 2 (06:29):
I mean, he does what he does and he just
competes and makes hard contact, got a couple doubles that
were big for us. He obviously was on base, and
you know, I thought, you know, he didn't make the
one play on Saturday, literally walks to Jackson and says, hey,
get me another one, and the next batter he gets
them another ground ball to where Hindell dives.
Speaker 3 (06:52):
He doesn't make the play. Luke dives, he does get it.
Speaker 2 (06:55):
Hindle gets back, makes a play and you and I
have talked about this, but in life, you sometimes you
need second in effort.
Speaker 3 (07:00):
It's not your first effort, but it's the second effort,
and Luke did that.
Speaker 2 (07:03):
I mean, Darren, this is a guy that I mean,
he wasn't feeling well yesterday and just gritted out another
unbelievable performance. So you know, I feel like we can
talk about him every show because you know, we say
in our program consistency compounds, and he's one of.
Speaker 3 (07:19):
The most consistent players on our team. Absolutely, and real quick.
Speaker 1 (07:23):
I just want to touch on Jase Tarnish because he
stole two bases on Sunday that gives him twenty seven
on the year.
Speaker 3 (07:28):
That's a new single season.
Speaker 1 (07:30):
High for the last ten years of Kentucky baseball, and
it ranks tenth for the most in a single season
in school history.
Speaker 3 (07:37):
A young man can fly.
Speaker 2 (07:39):
And he he's a very intelligent base runner. There was
a sequence this weekend and I know you saw this,
but we have. He has a green light and he
can run well. He starts to steal with the pitcher
glidesteps and he shuts it down. So then a couple
of pitches go by and he does the highlight kick
and this time he goes. An inexperienced based runner would
(08:02):
just go, oh, yeah, he's going to the plate, but
he notices that he didn't pick his foot up quite
as high and it stayed a little over the ground.
Speaker 3 (08:08):
So it's like, no, I'm not going to go. But
his ability to just be.
Speaker 2 (08:11):
Able to recognize the little small minute details I go
into being a late elite based dealer, he's certainly one
of them.
Speaker 1 (08:19):
Here on the Nick Min's You Oones Show, this is
our last episode of the season. Is Kentucky wraps up
the regular season against Arkansas starting on Thursday, And we
got a couple of minutes left in this segment, so
I wanted to start talking about the seniors that will
be recognized for the final home series this weekend. Let's
start with some guys who have earned their degrees coach,
(08:39):
but have eligibility remaining, and Jase Tarnish is.
Speaker 3 (08:42):
One of those guys. Jackson Jelkin is another.
Speaker 2 (08:45):
Yeah, these are two guys that obviously play a crucial role.
And you know, we started this deal a couple of
years ago because of the COVID and eligibility. Usually it's like, hey,
seniors or senior, he's got no more eligibility, but now
with red shirts and COVID years in grad, I mean,
there's just like all these things. But obviously Jase is
a guy and same thing with Jackson that are gonna
(09:07):
have I believe him hard to have some pro opportunities,
So happy for them to earn their degrees. Obviously hard
work goes into that. But these are two guys, I mean,
we wouldn't be where we're at without them, and their
importance and their impact on the season has just been incredible.
Speaker 1 (09:24):
Tagger Tyson is another one that earned his degree but
has some eligibility remaining, and he has been sort of
that veteran voice behind the plate alongside your rookie Owen
Jenkins at the catching position. Yeah, Tagger's hard to just
do whatever, and just did whatever we can help the
team this weekend.
Speaker 3 (09:41):
Did an awesome job.
Speaker 2 (09:42):
We got to pinch hit, got two strikes on him,
gets the ball and play gets a huge hit for us.
But yeah, his ability and his desire to win. He cares, Darren,
he cares, and the way he continues to just serve
our team even when he's not in the game has
been impressive.
Speaker 1 (09:56):
Let's go ahead and take our first time out with Coach.
When we come back, we'll talk about some more of
the seniors, including the ones who will be honored for
Senior Day this weekend as the Cats welcome Arkansas. This
is the Nick Men's Jones Show here on the UK
Sports Network. Welcome Back, final segment of the Nick Men's
Jones Show for this week and for this season. I coach,
I can't believe we're already in the last show of
(10:17):
the year, but the regular season is almost done. The
Cats have three SEC games left. They'll host Arkansas beginning Thursday.
It is Senior Weekend at Kentucky Proud Park. So We
look forward to seeing all a big blue nation out
there to support these guys and honor some amazing senior athletes.
We were talking about graduates with eligibility remaining before the
(10:38):
end of the last segment. There are a couple of
more guys that wanted to mention Chase Alderman, Ryan Mullen.
They have been a big part of this bullpen this season,
especially Mullen and that fireman role he does.
Speaker 3 (10:49):
He has just embraced that.
Speaker 2 (10:50):
And you know, to have that fireman role, that's got
to be a position and a situation that you want
so think about the job. And he's done where we
brought him in as though did know out second and
third runner here, runner there.
Speaker 3 (11:03):
He's embraced it.
Speaker 2 (11:04):
And he Ryan is a guy that loves Kentucky, and
you know, one of these guys that has been in
the transfer portal has been somewhere else, so he knows
what it's like on the other side and he's been
very appreciative. And then you mentioned Chase Alderman. Just for
him to be able to come back from the injury.
Speaker 3 (11:20):
Is victory in itself.
Speaker 2 (11:23):
There's been times where he's had great alans or times
where maybe he didn't have the outing he wants. But
one thing I'll say about Chase is him as a
human being.
Speaker 3 (11:30):
He's so consistent, so consistent.
Speaker 2 (11:32):
And the fact that he has gotten to be able
to overcome two injuries and now get to full health
has been big and I look forward to watching him
progress as.
Speaker 3 (11:42):
We move along.
Speaker 1 (11:42):
Another one who hasn't had the season he'd hoped for
is Alex Stuff. Just a tough year with the injury.
Speaker 2 (11:48):
Yeah, And I often say that you learn a lot
about somebody by the way they act when things don't
go their way, and he has been an incredible teammate Darren, like,
I don't know how.
Speaker 3 (11:57):
He could be better.
Speaker 2 (11:58):
He's gotten into the fight with oj of just like
not the fight, the fight of gotten into the fight
of the season, you know, and is in there trying
to help him and be alongside and trying to just anything.
Speaker 3 (12:12):
Like Duffy's a guy that.
Speaker 2 (12:13):
He's played a lot of college baseball and has a
lot of college experience. So the way that he has
continued to serve our team and do whatever he can
help has been truly remarkable.
Speaker 1 (12:22):
And one of the guys that has been huge in
the dugout for this team because he was not able
to contribute on the field this year either was prior.
And I know that is a young man. You bring
his name up and there's a smile on a guy's
face instantly.
Speaker 2 (12:35):
Yeah, he has a desire to win, and he is
in a lot of ways, has embraced being that guy
in the dugout that people can lean on and his
saying he has He says the right thing at the
right time. And you know, sometimes when you do an
eighteen to twenty four year olds, sometimes they say the
right thing at the.
Speaker 3 (12:55):
Wrong time or they say the wrong thing at the
wrong time.
Speaker 2 (12:59):
But he's a guy that has just totally embraced what
it means to be at Kentucky and his desire to
win is certainly high.
Speaker 1 (13:06):
It's going to be a special weekend and emotional one
for the guys that are playing their final regular season
home games with Kentucky. We've already talked about him on
the show once, so let's just start with Luke Lawrence
and what that young man has meant in his two
years in Blue. A leader is somebody who knows the way, goes.
Speaker 2 (13:23):
Away and shows the way, and that's Luke Lawrence. Ye
he knows the way he goes away and he shows
away and there is not a person in our program
does not respect him at the highest level. And man,
I'm gonna miss being around him, and I know the
fans will too, because he is embraces and embodies what
it means to be a Kentucky Wildcat.
Speaker 1 (13:45):
No doubt about it. Hey, will Marcy hit a three
run homer on Sunday. He's going to be a Wildcat
on ORed Yes, got a chance.
Speaker 2 (13:51):
You know, when you have these long rain delays and
you sit in airports, you get time to really just
spend some time with the guys. And he and I
spent some good time yesterday talking fishing and showing them
pictures of reeves and all his fish. And you know,
this is a guy that has battled some injuries this year,
but man, he waits his turn, and when we call
on him, he's ready.
Speaker 3 (14:12):
He is ready.
Speaker 2 (14:13):
We saw that in Saturday's game. He comes in as
a defensive replacement and immediately.
Speaker 3 (14:17):
First ball's crushed.
Speaker 2 (14:18):
Zz catches it and it's hard to serve. Our team
has been awesome, and his ability to really put his
body on the line to help us win has been great.
Speaker 1 (14:29):
A young man that's been around the program for a
couple of years now. Carson Hansen came to you from Milwaukee.
You guys have a great pipeline up there in the
Chicago Milwaukee area, and Carson's another one.
Speaker 2 (14:39):
Yeah, and you talk about another guy that's been consistent,
you know, as a human being. I know this season
at this point hasn't gone the way that he's hoped for,
and at times it has, but I will tell you this.
Speaker 3 (14:50):
He is this close from just exploding again.
Speaker 2 (14:54):
And he continues to work, He continues to pour into
the team, He continues to help our guys. He has
been huge for braxt Van Cleeve to just a freshman
that's gotten some opportunities. And yeah, I'm looking forward to
watching how this season progresses because he's definitely moving in
the right direction.
Speaker 1 (15:12):
Talk to me about the growth a little bit for
Nile Adcock, a young man who jumped into the big
waters of the SEC and we've seen him really grow
into the role this year.
Speaker 3 (15:20):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (15:21):
I mean, we do peer reviews and evaluations and at
the fall, at the end of the Fall, one of
the questions we ask is whose habits and discipline sets
them up to be successful in the future, and he
got some of the most votes on the entire team.
The guys just respect him. How consistency he is. You know,
you keep hearing me use that word, but that is him.
(15:42):
He has put himself in a position he set highs
on his velocity, his breaking ball. Everything about Nile's game
has gotten better and it's because of the person in
the discipline he has. So it's been fun to watch
him progress and do so well this season.
Speaker 1 (15:55):
Scott Kimball Junior, if you follow his career coach, has
been a great story from the JUCO ranks to Charleston
Southern usc up, stayed a part of a championship team
that made a regional and now he's in the SEC
and Mann does he have one of the more accurate,
powerful arms in this league.
Speaker 2 (16:12):
I mean, it's the best outfield arm that I've coached
in sona Renfro who was the first rounder and played
in the big leagues for so many years. Scott's tool
set is impressive when you think about the run, to
hit the field, to throw.
Speaker 3 (16:22):
In the power.
Speaker 2 (16:23):
He possesses a ton of tools and at any point
in time he can impact the game. And there's no
doubt that. He has certainly helped us win a lot
of games, especially with his arm.
Speaker 1 (16:34):
Jack Bennett from Paducah comes to Kentucky this year and
has contributed seven saves out of the bullpit.
Speaker 2 (16:41):
A guy that loves Kentucky and it's been his dream
the pitch here and I'm so thankful he's a wildcat because.
Speaker 3 (16:47):
He'll be one forever.
Speaker 2 (16:49):
And you know, one of the greatest compliments you can
give a picture is you just hand him over the
ball when the game's on the line, and he saves
seven of them for us, and he's helped us win
a lot more. This guy loves Kentucky and I'm so
happy that we get somebody number one that loves Kentucky.
Then to be as good as he is. He has been
(17:09):
really neat, and you know, him being married, it's been
a neat thing for our team too, you know. But
the maturity and the way this guy goes about his
work is second to none.
Speaker 1 (17:19):
Jackson Soussi comes to Kentucky this year. He is a
delight to talk to off the field, and he has
gotten some big outs on the field.
Speaker 3 (17:27):
You talk about energy man, this guy he can light
up a room.
Speaker 2 (17:31):
He and you talk about vibes, he is like all
Vibes team for Kentucky.
Speaker 3 (17:37):
Like when he's in the room and he's around, he makes.
Speaker 2 (17:40):
Us all better just with his presence and just being
around him just brings you joy and brings a smile
to your face. One because he brings good vibes. But
number two, like he has comedic timing. He can make
you he can make you laugh. And but yeah, I
just love what he's done for us on the field.
He continues to work, he gets better. I feel like
with each eye, especially of late, he's throwing the ball better.
(18:02):
Got to have a huge basis loaded jam this weekend.
But yeah, All Vibes Team.
Speaker 1 (18:07):
Jackson Sussy got a couple of minutes left in the show,
a couple more seniors to talk about. Tyler Serni has
brought experience, a winning pedigree, and an ability to play
anywhere you need him to do a team this year.
Speaker 2 (18:19):
Yeah, the way he has just stepped in and just
took on a new.
Speaker 3 (18:23):
Position, came to a new team. The players love him.
He is. It's been really neat.
Speaker 2 (18:29):
We had maybe a month ago, we had a conversation
and just some of the guys and how close. He's
gotten to some of the guys like they'll be friends
for life. But the guy's paid him a really nice
compliment this weekend. He obviously didn't get on the field
as much as he would like, but they mentioned him
about staying engaged being the teammate he is.
Speaker 3 (18:49):
And again you learn a lot.
Speaker 2 (18:51):
About somebody why they act when things don't go their way.
And he has just continued to work, prepare and serve
our team at a really high level. Guy that I'll
certainly miss a year from now.
Speaker 1 (19:02):
One more senior to mention before we get out of
here coaching that Tyrah Austin, the fourth who came to
you from Metarey, Louisiana, had no idea it.
Speaker 2 (19:08):
Was such a good dancer I mean talk about I mean,
I think he's probably got to be the best dancer
on the team. Like but he's like vibe and during
the games like he is all there. But this is
two pitchers and one and that's not easy to be
able to throw from here and to hear and his
competitive spirit just walking up next time he comes in.
Just like watch his competitive spirit and his competitive look
(19:30):
on his face. The guys have a lot of respect
for him and obviously, like you mentioned, coming from Louisiana
and I asked him one time, I mean, like, what's
it like down there, comp He's like, it's so different, Coach,
But even for him in his life to be able
to get really away from home for the first time
and to meet new friends and the way he's fitting.
Speaker 3 (19:51):
With the team has been great.
Speaker 1 (19:53):
Well, Coach, that's the time for our last show of
the season. It's been a lot of fun doing this
once again with you. We've got plenty of base ball left.
Three games against Arkansas to finish out the SEC stretch
and we will see you at the ballpark.
Speaker 2 (20:06):
Thank you and thank you Daron, thanks to the staff,
to everyone to help put on this show. I mean,
the reason why it's a great show is because of
you and everybody that's helped. So thank you to the BBN.
Come out and see us this weekend. We need your support.
Go CAATs for one final time. This has been the
nickmne you Own show here on the UK Sports Network.
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