May 13, 2025 • 18 mins
Darren Headrick talks with Kentucky Baseball Coach Nick Mingione
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Hello everyone, and welcome into the Nick menje Oon Show
here on the UK Sports Network. It is our final
edition of Coaches Radio show for the regular season, as
the Wildcats get set to host Northern Kentucky tomorrow night
at six thirty. It's their final home game, and then
they'll venture down south to Nashville to take on the
Vanderbilt Commodores a three game series that runs Thursday, Friday
(00:22):
and Saturday. The Wildcats are coming off a series sweep
of a top fifteen Oklahoma club. The Wildcats are now
twenty eight and twenty overall, but more importantly, they got
that thirteenth win in SEC play and sit one game
below five hundred in the conference. Wildcats got big performances
on the mound, in the field, and at the plate
(00:43):
this weekend, and we'll break all of that down with
Coach when we come back.
Speaker 2 (00:46):
It's the Nick men je Oon Show on the UK
Sports Network.
Speaker 1 (00:49):
We welcome you back into the Nick Menjion Show here
on the UK Sports Network as Coach slides in alongside
fresh off a series sweep of the Oklahoma Sooners. In Coach,
when you look at what had happened and the prior
week on the road to come back and sweep a
top twenty, top fifteen Oklahoma club this week and at home.
What's the significance of that for your team, especially this
late in the season.
Speaker 3 (01:10):
Well, you know, we had a great meeting last week
and we spoke about having a sense of urgency. But
then also we talked about at this time of year,
everyone's playing for something. In a year ago, that particular weekend,
we were playing for an SEC championship and fighting to
be a national seed. And you know, we covered everything
(01:30):
with them, like, hey, look right now, our range of
what we're playing for is massive. It's to make the
postseason or it's even looking at just going on this
crazy run and being a postseason potential host, Like you
just don't know. The gap in the wide is so
so big. But we also talked about execution, and we
(01:51):
watched a ton of video of what bad baseball look
like and what good baseball look like. And give the
guys a lot of credit, they responded, because they want
to play in the season. They want a chance for
that national championship again. So when you sweep a team
like Oklahoma, it basically sends an amazingly strong message because
now you look up, and we've won three out of
(02:11):
our last four series we have. We're really three runs
away from having seven series wins. When you think about
the Auburn series, the Ole miss in Texas, and two
of those are potential national seeds, right, maybe even all
three could be regional host right, depending on how the
week shakeout. So with that being said, just how close
(02:33):
and how good this team is, you know you're you
win one or two more of those games. We have
six run run losses in the league, or nine of
them by one or two runs. It's like, man, we
are right in the mix and really as good as
I feel like any team right now. So to have
three wins crucial for so many reasons, but most importantly
because we're our goal is to win a national championship.
Speaker 1 (02:55):
Coach, you mentioned the word execution, and I remember Friday
night before the first game against the Sooner.
Speaker 2 (03:00):
You brought up the word execute.
Speaker 1 (03:01):
Executing this weekend and it's easy to say when Kentucky's
won three, but I thought that was such a well
played series by both sides. It was one error defensively
all weekend, and it went to Oklahoma. How did the
what did you see from your team? In terms of
executing in all three phases this weekend.
Speaker 3 (03:18):
Well, you know, when we met yesterday after the game,
I just said, guys, that is what Kentucky baseball looks
and feels like. And we broke it down. And it
starts with the guys on the mound. You know, you've
heard me say that they're the tip of our spear,
our pitching staff, and they led us. And it started
(03:38):
with Nate. I thought Nate Harris was great on Friday
and gave us a chance to win that game. And
then Nick McKay and then Ben Cleaver. But it starts
and ends right there, like, make no mistake about it,
and you know, I give our players a lot of credit.
And even Tyler Bell made the comment that, hey, look
like there was times where I'd be pictures are turning
(04:00):
around telling me, hey, me and you on a ground ball.
Griff Cameron, I'm pretty sure it was Griff. Griff makes
the comment, it's like, and Luke Lawrence, it's like they're
on the attack. Our pitchers are on the attack, and
it's just like so fun to play behind that because
our defense is engaged. And look, this is an Oklahoma
(04:20):
team that they knew the strikes on as well as anybody,
and like they're not swinging at balls, like you have
to throw a ton of strikes and our staff did
that and then you know to add to the pitching side.
It's just to your point about the defense. I mean,
now there was It's one thing not to make an
error on the scoreboard, but it's another thing like to
have place be out there and not make them sure right,
(04:43):
like the diving play. It's like, man, we were close,
but we didn't make it. It's not an error. We
made the plays that were on the field, right, And
you go around the field and you just think about
the job that Kayas did at their base, the jumping catch,
to diving catch, TJ on the big hops, the slow roll.
Luke made a diving play on Friday's game. James McCoy
was unbelievable. Yeah, Like my pregame interview, the guys wanted
(05:07):
to talk about our first base defense, right, I'm like
when we talk about Don Mattley or Evan White, like
this is like these guys are like wizards.
Speaker 2 (05:15):
You know.
Speaker 3 (05:16):
The job that Schwartz did and the job that Griff Cameron,
the plays that he made. Carson Hansen ran in on
some good balls. Cole Hage took some plays you know,
and it hits away. It was just all the way around.
It was a well played defensive game, not only from
the statistical category, but we made plays that were out there.
Speaker 1 (05:34):
Speaking of Ryan Schwartz and Coach Madison talk to me
about this on the air Sunday. The more opportunities he
gets to catch balls in those corner spots, Coach, we're
starting to see him look like you know how outfielders
they glide, We're starting to see that from him. The
confidence is really building for him as an outfielder.
Speaker 3 (05:50):
Yes, and you know, I just I give this team.
You've heard me say this. I love this team. I
have so much respect for him because there's so many
guys doing things that they've never had to been asked
to do before, at a level that they've never been
asked to play out before. So, yes, do we have
guys that've played college baseball. Yes, and that's good, Like
Cole Hedges experience is awesome, right, But Ryan Schwartz is
(06:14):
being asked to run balls down like in a field
and at a spot where and in a college level
that he's never been asked to do. That before, Tyler Bell,
same thing, Cayas Gargett, same thing to like have to
do that every single day, day in and day out,
and so that part has been great to see in Schwartz.
I mean, these guys work so hard in VP. I
mean just watching him at VP and communicating with them
(06:36):
about the wind and where to play and how to play.
And it's been fun to watch his growth.
Speaker 1 (06:41):
It's a good spot for us to take our first
break here on the nick Men's You Own show, the
Cat's getting ready to host Northern Kentucky tomorrow night at
six thirty. It's the final home game of the regular season.
We'll have to call at six fifteen. We'll continue with
coach after this on the UK Sports Network, Coach Minjion
and the Wildcats getting ready to host Northern Kentucky tomorrow
night in the final home game of the regular their
season at six thirty and Coach, when when you look back,
(07:03):
it's hard to believe we're already on our last regular
season week. You've got Northern Kentucky, You've got Vanderbilt on
the road this weekend. It has been a journey for
this team and they've got an opportunity to continue doing
some special things going into the postseason.
Speaker 2 (07:17):
Can you kind of put in the.
Speaker 1 (07:18):
Words though, just how far this group has come since
they took the field in February for the first time.
Speaker 3 (07:23):
Yeah, just exponential growth. It's been, man, And you know what,
I'd like to even go back to August when they
first step foot on this campus and just to think
about their growth. And when I think about their growth,
I think about it in so many ways. I think about,
(07:44):
you know, mentally, how much they've grown physically, tactically, technically,
like all these ways, emotionally, some guy, spiritually, Like the
amount of growth from this team is truly remarkable. And
going down and through each guy has been really a
(08:05):
joy as a coach when you just think because one
of the things that we want to do, of the
many things, is like we want to maximize our team,
and we want to maximize each player individually. And when
you sit there and you go through the list of
guys and you ask yourself, is this guy better? I mean,
it is crazy some of their growth. And now we
(08:26):
have asked them, like to their credit, they've done it.
We've asked them to do three things this year, learn,
grow and improve Like that that was it. That was
what was put on my heart. I just with this
many first year players, it was like, if we can
just keep doing that, then we had we would have
a chance to close the gap and get to where
we want to be at the end of the year.
But that was going to be the only way. And
(08:48):
so just the exponential growth for them as individuals and
then most importantly as a team.
Speaker 1 (08:55):
How have you learned in your years as a head
coach here at Kentucky to help teams manage the load
in SEC play because every team is different. You had
a veteran group last year, you've got one that trends
younger this year. So hope you help them learn to
manage that and stay fresh this time of year.
Speaker 3 (09:08):
Well, one thing is our athletic trainer JD and his
fellow I guess that's what we call them now fellows.
They're not interns, they're not gas, they're fellows. Degan and
the job that Brent Jones, our strength coach, has done
has been so important. They have a huge role in
(09:28):
what we're doing, and those guys have been awesome with
the communication with them with their bodies and helping them
handle that. And then also for us the way we practice,
how we practice when we practice, the way we go
about our batting practice. For example, we've tweaked our batting
practice now where they just get one round of defense.
Do we feel like that's enough for them? They get
(09:49):
their pregame ground balls and their live balls, and it's
just like so as coaches, we've had to try to
manage and work those things out even with our practices,
like we want to challenge them now at the spot
where it's like more mentally than it is physically, to
where earlier in the year it was more physical because
they just we needed the reps and we needed to
just hammer it out and get it all done, and
(10:09):
where now it's more of them mentally, just getting him
in the mindset of competing and just doing and handling
all the little things while all still learning. We still
do video review Darren, like we're still watching video and
learning because we feel like what you focus on growth,
So in our case it's like we're still watching video
so they can learn and they're not like just taxing
(10:30):
their bodies, but we're still getting better at the same time.
So this group's ability to continue to get better has
been really impressive.
Speaker 1 (10:38):
It has been fun to watch Ben Cleaver continue to
develop and grow in that role pitching on Sunday. So
a lot of folks say he's one of the best
in the league. And coach, when you watch him, can
we just appreciate how good his curveball is when he
snaps that thing over.
Speaker 3 (10:53):
The dish man and the thing that's so beautiful about it,
and you know this is at time, it's twenty to
twenty two miles an hour off his fastball right right,
And so it's just like it is for the people
like you and I that love baseball and just in
a good old fashioned curveball. I mean, it's a thing
of beauty. And you know, the thing about a curveball
(11:17):
is it's harder to land for a strike because you
think about the angle at which it's coming, like you
have to PLoP it in there. The slider, for example,
may not break as much, but it can still catch
the play it right. So most curveball misses are up
and down. So the fact that he just lands it
in there, it's just to your point, it is a
thing of beauty and we love it, but the opposing
(11:40):
hitters not so much.
Speaker 2 (11:42):
Well, And he brings to mind too.
Speaker 1 (11:44):
You know, it feels like in today's game, people get
fascinated with velocity. They want to see ninety five ninety seven,
and that's fun and that can blow away hitters. But
do you think now there's sort of an undervalue of
guys that can pitch, guys that can paint, sort of
like a cleaver that just knows how to command and
any of his arsenal and he goes up there and
he gets guys out.
Speaker 3 (12:03):
Well, you look at the big leagues or even in
yesterday's game, you know, those two totally different starters. One
was left handed, one was right handed. One was up
to ninety eight, the other one was up to what
ninety one, maybe ninety two. I don't know if he
grabbed the ninety two or not, but it's just it there.
Velocity is something that people love to chase, and it's
(12:24):
a good thing. But that's the thing we just appreciated
about Ben is because his stuff plays way higher.
Speaker 2 (12:32):
Right.
Speaker 3 (12:32):
Yeah, the radar gun might say eighty eight to ninety one,
ninety two, whatever, but boy do the hitters. The hitters
make it seem like it's a lot harder. And to
Ben's credit, he just continues to grow. You know Ben's
competitive spirit. I know I talk about that all the time,
and I cannot underestimate or understate like how important that is.
(12:53):
His competitive spirit is, Like, man, this guy is a
dog and he's been a joy to watch and just
watch him grow and he deserves all this success because
he's definitely put the work in.
Speaker 1 (13:03):
Let's go ahead and take our final time out here
on the Nick Menjeon Show.
Speaker 2 (13:06):
This is the UK Sports Network.
Speaker 1 (13:08):
It is our final Nickmnjeon radio show of the season
as Kentucky wraps up the regular season at Vanderbilt this weekend,
and it's our final segment on the show this week.
And Coach, I thought we'd mentioned some fun performances from
this past weekend.
Speaker 2 (13:20):
First of all, James McCoy.
Speaker 1 (13:22):
We talked about his defense at first, but he had
a big weekend at the plate, coming home with four hits.
What can a weekend like that do for him down
the stretch here is this.
Speaker 2 (13:30):
Team is going to need him.
Speaker 3 (13:32):
Yeah, his experience has been awesome. And you know, I've
talked about him a lot about his heart. I mean,
he's played first, he's played third, he's played the outfield,
he's pitched, I mean I know, James who black coach,
You want me to catch now.
Speaker 2 (13:46):
He'll do whatever.
Speaker 3 (13:47):
You don't care. But yeah, his maturity and just you
know the amount of runs that he took off the
board defensively and then his at bats. I mean, I mean,
obviously we feel think highly of him. We're batter him
in our forehole, right like. But yeah, his maturity, his competitiveness,
his ways to impact the game has been fun to
watch and I just love watching him play baseball, like
(14:08):
he's been playing with a really good free spirit about him.
Speaker 1 (14:12):
Fun moment in Sundays went over Oklahoma. The Sooners had
just tied the game at two, felt like they had
some momentum, and with two outs in the bottom half
of the inning, we saw the roommates Tyler Bell and
mclaurence go back to back to put Kentucky in front
for good.
Speaker 3 (14:25):
Yeah. What a call on your part too. That was awesome.
You're welcome a little belly to belly. But yeah, those
two guys. I mean, that's the thing about Tyler, And
you know, I feel like we talk about him all
the time and deservingly so, like his ability to impact
the game on so many levels and his Buddy Luke
right behind him. That was awesome to see and like
happy for both those guys, and you know, so offensively.
(14:47):
Obviously Schwartz had a huge game. You know, we talked
about that getting Patty back was so important for our team.
You know, so the job that you know JD and
Degan and Pat and Coach Jones have done getting back
out there just awesome job. And then I thought Carson
Hanson gave us great at bats and just up and
down the lineup, we had good quality at ats and
(15:08):
that was our offense, clicking on all cylinders. Homers, buns,
stolen bases, aggressive base running, hit and runs, the whole deal.
And proud of that group for the way they responded.
Speaker 1 (15:20):
Coach, we haven't had a chance to really talk about
the SEC tournament.
Speaker 2 (15:24):
It starts in a week from now.
Speaker 1 (15:25):
I know you're focused on Northern Kentucky, but the tournament
is coming up. New format this year. All sixteen teams
get to go to Hoover. It's now a single elimination,
double by, single by, and then the rest will play
on the first day in on Tuesday, when you saw
the new format and it was approved, what was your
first reaction to seeing the new SEC Tournament.
Speaker 3 (15:43):
The exact format I wanted.
Speaker 2 (15:45):
Okay, like it was, you know.
Speaker 3 (15:47):
And the reason why we're talking about this because this
is the last radio show of the year, so we
won't have time to talk about it, but it was
exactly what I thought we should do. And the teams
that finished in the top four, they deserve to get
their rest and not feel like you have to rush
down there and change your pitching. And same thing with
the other teams, you know, and if you're one of
those teams that finish towards the bottom, you got to
(16:07):
earn and you got to win more games. But it
honors what you've done during the regular season, and it
also gives every team an opportunity to win well.
Speaker 2 (16:14):
And coach too.
Speaker 1 (16:15):
If there's anybody from Big Blue Nation thinking about going,
they can go to Nashville and support the Cats this
weekend against Vanny and then just going down to Hoover.
Speaker 2 (16:22):
It's a great environment down there.
Speaker 3 (16:23):
That's exactly what we're doing, So just follow the bus.
It's an awesome place for sure. Well, coach, it was
a special weekend.
Speaker 1 (16:30):
Not only did you sweep Oklahoma, but you had a
chance to honor all of your seniors and a really
cool moment on Sunday with it being Mother's Day as
not only did Kentucky's players get to throw a ceremony,
well the moms through a ceremonial first pitch to their sons,
but Oklahoma participated too.
Speaker 3 (16:47):
Yeah, what an awesome weekend. We have four guys that
are going to graduate to still have eligibility, so I
had a chance to honor them, and then our twelve seniors.
And you know, this senior class has a chance this year.
We're a couple of wins away, handful more wins to
be the winningest senior class in the history of University
of Kentucky baseball. Excuse me, you need four more wins
(17:09):
if the senior class I'm gonna optimistic, mister Darren, like
I'm gonna say.
Speaker 2 (17:13):
When we get four more ways.
Speaker 3 (17:15):
It'll be the winningest class in the history of Kentucky baseball.
So super proud of them. And you know what the
special touch with the mothers that was so awesome. And
you know, I Brock had answered Brock, our chief of staff,
just amazing and I'm pretty sure I don't know if
it was his idea or what, but just to invite
to Oklahoma mothers, and I know that man so much
(17:37):
to them. And you know, baseball moms are tough, and
they spent a lot of time at ballparks and in
the car during the summer and travel baseball and everything else.
And we couldn't think of a better way to honor
them to all of our moms, and of course to
Oklahoma moms. And you know, Christin, my wife, just the
biggest sweetheart. She walked over there and welcomed them and
made them feel at home and they were so appreciative.
(18:01):
And I just think you know this, but anytime we
get a chance to spend with our moms is an
awesome thing, especially on a baseball field. So overall, special weekend,
special class, special job all the way around. And now
the focuses, as you mentioned, is on northern Kentucky, so
big Blue Nation, come out and see us.
Speaker 1 (18:17):
All right, Coach, It's always a pleasure to do these
weekly radio shows with you, and we look forward to
being back at Kentucky Proud Park one final time in
the regular season tomorrow night.
Speaker 3 (18:25):
I've enjoyed them all season along with you. Thanks Darren,
Go Cats.
Speaker 1 (18:28):
This has been the nick Menji own show We'll Talk
to You Tomorrow night, six fifteen airtime from Kentucky Proud Park.
The Norse and the Cats here on the UK Sports
Network
Hello everyone, and welcome into the Nick menje Oon Show
here on the UK Sports Network. It is our final
edition of Coaches Radio show for the regular season, as
the Wildcats get set to host Northern Kentucky tomorrow night
at six thirty. It's their final home game, and then
they'll venture down south to Nashville to take on the
Vanderbilt Commodores a three game series that runs Thursday, Friday
(00:22):
and Saturday. The Wildcats are coming off a series sweep
of a top fifteen Oklahoma club. The Wildcats are now
twenty eight and twenty overall, but more importantly, they got
that thirteenth win in SEC play and sit one game
below five hundred in the conference. Wildcats got big performances
on the mound, in the field, and at the plate
(00:43):
this weekend, and we'll break all of that down with
Coach when we come back.
Speaker 2 (00:46):
It's the Nick men je Oon Show on the UK
Sports Network.
Speaker 1 (00:49):
We welcome you back into the Nick Menjion Show here
on the UK Sports Network as Coach slides in alongside
fresh off a series sweep of the Oklahoma Sooners. In Coach,
when you look at what had happened and the prior
week on the road to come back and sweep a
top twenty, top fifteen Oklahoma club this week and at home.
What's the significance of that for your team, especially this
late in the season.
Speaker 3 (01:10):
Well, you know, we had a great meeting last week
and we spoke about having a sense of urgency. But
then also we talked about at this time of year,
everyone's playing for something. In a year ago, that particular weekend,
we were playing for an SEC championship and fighting to
be a national seed. And you know, we covered everything
(01:30):
with them, like, hey, look right now, our range of
what we're playing for is massive. It's to make the
postseason or it's even looking at just going on this
crazy run and being a postseason potential host, Like you
just don't know. The gap in the wide is so
so big. But we also talked about execution, and we
(01:51):
watched a ton of video of what bad baseball look
like and what good baseball look like. And give the
guys a lot of credit, they responded, because they want
to play in the season. They want a chance for
that national championship again. So when you sweep a team
like Oklahoma, it basically sends an amazingly strong message because
now you look up, and we've won three out of
(02:11):
our last four series we have. We're really three runs
away from having seven series wins. When you think about
the Auburn series, the Ole miss in Texas, and two
of those are potential national seeds, right, maybe even all
three could be regional host right, depending on how the
week shakeout. So with that being said, just how close
(02:33):
and how good this team is, you know you're you
win one or two more of those games. We have
six run run losses in the league, or nine of
them by one or two runs. It's like, man, we
are right in the mix and really as good as
I feel like any team right now. So to have
three wins crucial for so many reasons, but most importantly
because we're our goal is to win a national championship.
Speaker 1 (02:55):
Coach, you mentioned the word execution, and I remember Friday
night before the first game against the Sooner.
Speaker 2 (03:00):
You brought up the word execute.
Speaker 1 (03:01):
Executing this weekend and it's easy to say when Kentucky's
won three, but I thought that was such a well
played series by both sides. It was one error defensively
all weekend, and it went to Oklahoma. How did the
what did you see from your team? In terms of
executing in all three phases this weekend.
Speaker 3 (03:18):
Well, you know, when we met yesterday after the game,
I just said, guys, that is what Kentucky baseball looks
and feels like. And we broke it down. And it
starts with the guys on the mound. You know, you've
heard me say that they're the tip of our spear,
our pitching staff, and they led us. And it started
(03:38):
with Nate. I thought Nate Harris was great on Friday
and gave us a chance to win that game. And
then Nick McKay and then Ben Cleaver. But it starts
and ends right there, like, make no mistake about it,
and you know, I give our players a lot of credit.
And even Tyler Bell made the comment that, hey, look
like there was times where I'd be pictures are turning
(04:00):
around telling me, hey, me and you on a ground ball.
Griff Cameron, I'm pretty sure it was Griff. Griff makes
the comment, it's like, and Luke Lawrence, it's like they're
on the attack. Our pitchers are on the attack, and
it's just like so fun to play behind that because
our defense is engaged. And look, this is an Oklahoma
(04:20):
team that they knew the strikes on as well as anybody,
and like they're not swinging at balls, like you have
to throw a ton of strikes and our staff did
that and then you know to add to the pitching side.
It's just to your point about the defense. I mean,
now there was It's one thing not to make an
error on the scoreboard, but it's another thing like to
have place be out there and not make them sure right,
(04:43):
like the diving play. It's like, man, we were close,
but we didn't make it. It's not an error. We
made the plays that were on the field, right, And
you go around the field and you just think about
the job that Kayas did at their base, the jumping catch,
to diving catch, TJ on the big hops, the slow roll.
Luke made a diving play on Friday's game. James McCoy
was unbelievable. Yeah, Like my pregame interview, the guys wanted
(05:07):
to talk about our first base defense, right, I'm like
when we talk about Don Mattley or Evan White, like
this is like these guys are like wizards.
Speaker 2 (05:15):
You know.
Speaker 3 (05:16):
The job that Schwartz did and the job that Griff Cameron,
the plays that he made. Carson Hansen ran in on
some good balls. Cole Hage took some plays you know,
and it hits away. It was just all the way around.
It was a well played defensive game, not only from
the statistical category, but we made plays that were out there.
Speaker 1 (05:34):
Speaking of Ryan Schwartz and Coach Madison talk to me
about this on the air Sunday. The more opportunities he
gets to catch balls in those corner spots, Coach, we're
starting to see him look like you know how outfielders
they glide, We're starting to see that from him. The
confidence is really building for him as an outfielder.
Speaker 3 (05:50):
Yes, and you know, I just I give this team.
You've heard me say this. I love this team. I
have so much respect for him because there's so many
guys doing things that they've never had to been asked
to do before, at a level that they've never been
asked to play out before. So, yes, do we have
guys that've played college baseball. Yes, and that's good, Like
Cole Hedges experience is awesome, right, But Ryan Schwartz is
(06:14):
being asked to run balls down like in a field
and at a spot where and in a college level
that he's never been asked to do. That before, Tyler Bell,
same thing, Cayas Gargett, same thing to like have to
do that every single day, day in and day out,
and so that part has been great to see in Schwartz.
I mean, these guys work so hard in VP. I
mean just watching him at VP and communicating with them
(06:36):
about the wind and where to play and how to play.
And it's been fun to watch his growth.
Speaker 1 (06:41):
It's a good spot for us to take our first
break here on the nick Men's You Own show, the
Cat's getting ready to host Northern Kentucky tomorrow night at
six thirty. It's the final home game of the regular season.
We'll have to call at six fifteen. We'll continue with
coach after this on the UK Sports Network, Coach Minjion
and the Wildcats getting ready to host Northern Kentucky tomorrow
night in the final home game of the regular their
season at six thirty and Coach, when when you look back,
(07:03):
it's hard to believe we're already on our last regular
season week. You've got Northern Kentucky, You've got Vanderbilt on
the road this weekend. It has been a journey for
this team and they've got an opportunity to continue doing
some special things going into the postseason.
Speaker 2 (07:17):
Can you kind of put in the.
Speaker 1 (07:18):
Words though, just how far this group has come since
they took the field in February for the first time.
Speaker 3 (07:23):
Yeah, just exponential growth. It's been, man, And you know what,
I'd like to even go back to August when they
first step foot on this campus and just to think
about their growth. And when I think about their growth,
I think about it in so many ways. I think about,
(07:44):
you know, mentally, how much they've grown physically, tactically, technically,
like all these ways, emotionally, some guy, spiritually, Like the
amount of growth from this team is truly remarkable. And
going down and through each guy has been really a
(08:05):
joy as a coach when you just think because one
of the things that we want to do, of the
many things, is like we want to maximize our team,
and we want to maximize each player individually. And when
you sit there and you go through the list of
guys and you ask yourself, is this guy better? I mean,
it is crazy some of their growth. And now we
(08:26):
have asked them, like to their credit, they've done it.
We've asked them to do three things this year, learn,
grow and improve Like that that was it. That was
what was put on my heart. I just with this
many first year players, it was like, if we can
just keep doing that, then we had we would have
a chance to close the gap and get to where
we want to be at the end of the year.
But that was going to be the only way. And
(08:48):
so just the exponential growth for them as individuals and
then most importantly as a team.
Speaker 1 (08:55):
How have you learned in your years as a head
coach here at Kentucky to help teams manage the load
in SEC play because every team is different. You had
a veteran group last year, you've got one that trends
younger this year. So hope you help them learn to
manage that and stay fresh this time of year.
Speaker 3 (09:08):
Well, one thing is our athletic trainer JD and his
fellow I guess that's what we call them now fellows.
They're not interns, they're not gas, they're fellows. Degan and
the job that Brent Jones, our strength coach, has done
has been so important. They have a huge role in
(09:28):
what we're doing, and those guys have been awesome with
the communication with them with their bodies and helping them
handle that. And then also for us the way we practice,
how we practice when we practice, the way we go
about our batting practice. For example, we've tweaked our batting
practice now where they just get one round of defense.
Do we feel like that's enough for them? They get
(09:49):
their pregame ground balls and their live balls, and it's
just like so as coaches, we've had to try to
manage and work those things out even with our practices,
like we want to challenge them now at the spot
where it's like more mentally than it is physically, to
where earlier in the year it was more physical because
they just we needed the reps and we needed to
just hammer it out and get it all done, and
(10:09):
where now it's more of them mentally, just getting him
in the mindset of competing and just doing and handling
all the little things while all still learning. We still
do video review Darren, like we're still watching video and
learning because we feel like what you focus on growth,
So in our case it's like we're still watching video
so they can learn and they're not like just taxing
(10:30):
their bodies, but we're still getting better at the same time.
So this group's ability to continue to get better has
been really impressive.
Speaker 1 (10:38):
It has been fun to watch Ben Cleaver continue to
develop and grow in that role pitching on Sunday. So
a lot of folks say he's one of the best
in the league. And coach, when you watch him, can
we just appreciate how good his curveball is when he
snaps that thing over.
Speaker 3 (10:53):
The dish man and the thing that's so beautiful about it,
and you know this is at time, it's twenty to
twenty two miles an hour off his fastball right right,
And so it's just like it is for the people
like you and I that love baseball and just in
a good old fashioned curveball. I mean, it's a thing
of beauty. And you know, the thing about a curveball
(11:17):
is it's harder to land for a strike because you
think about the angle at which it's coming, like you
have to PLoP it in there. The slider, for example,
may not break as much, but it can still catch
the play it right. So most curveball misses are up
and down. So the fact that he just lands it
in there, it's just to your point, it is a
thing of beauty and we love it, but the opposing
(11:40):
hitters not so much.
Speaker 2 (11:42):
Well, And he brings to mind too.
Speaker 1 (11:44):
You know, it feels like in today's game, people get
fascinated with velocity. They want to see ninety five ninety seven,
and that's fun and that can blow away hitters. But
do you think now there's sort of an undervalue of
guys that can pitch, guys that can paint, sort of
like a cleaver that just knows how to command and
any of his arsenal and he goes up there and
he gets guys out.
Speaker 3 (12:03):
Well, you look at the big leagues or even in
yesterday's game, you know, those two totally different starters. One
was left handed, one was right handed. One was up
to ninety eight, the other one was up to what
ninety one, maybe ninety two. I don't know if he
grabbed the ninety two or not, but it's just it there.
Velocity is something that people love to chase, and it's
(12:24):
a good thing. But that's the thing we just appreciated
about Ben is because his stuff plays way higher.
Speaker 2 (12:32):
Right.
Speaker 3 (12:32):
Yeah, the radar gun might say eighty eight to ninety one,
ninety two, whatever, but boy do the hitters. The hitters
make it seem like it's a lot harder. And to
Ben's credit, he just continues to grow. You know Ben's
competitive spirit. I know I talk about that all the time,
and I cannot underestimate or understate like how important that is.
(12:53):
His competitive spirit is, Like, man, this guy is a
dog and he's been a joy to watch and just
watch him grow and he deserves all this success because
he's definitely put the work in.
Speaker 1 (13:03):
Let's go ahead and take our final time out here
on the Nick Menjeon Show.
Speaker 2 (13:06):
This is the UK Sports Network.
Speaker 1 (13:08):
It is our final Nickmnjeon radio show of the season
as Kentucky wraps up the regular season at Vanderbilt this weekend,
and it's our final segment on the show this week.
And Coach, I thought we'd mentioned some fun performances from
this past weekend.
Speaker 2 (13:20):
First of all, James McCoy.
Speaker 1 (13:22):
We talked about his defense at first, but he had
a big weekend at the plate, coming home with four hits.
What can a weekend like that do for him down
the stretch here is this.
Speaker 2 (13:30):
Team is going to need him.
Speaker 3 (13:32):
Yeah, his experience has been awesome. And you know, I've
talked about him a lot about his heart. I mean,
he's played first, he's played third, he's played the outfield,
he's pitched, I mean I know, James who black coach,
You want me to catch now.
Speaker 2 (13:46):
He'll do whatever.
Speaker 3 (13:47):
You don't care. But yeah, his maturity and just you
know the amount of runs that he took off the
board defensively and then his at bats. I mean, I mean,
obviously we feel think highly of him. We're batter him
in our forehole, right like. But yeah, his maturity, his competitiveness,
his ways to impact the game has been fun to
watch and I just love watching him play baseball, like
(14:08):
he's been playing with a really good free spirit about him.
Speaker 1 (14:12):
Fun moment in Sundays went over Oklahoma. The Sooners had
just tied the game at two, felt like they had
some momentum, and with two outs in the bottom half
of the inning, we saw the roommates Tyler Bell and
mclaurence go back to back to put Kentucky in front
for good.
Speaker 3 (14:25):
Yeah. What a call on your part too. That was awesome.
You're welcome a little belly to belly. But yeah, those
two guys. I mean, that's the thing about Tyler, And
you know, I feel like we talk about him all
the time and deservingly so, like his ability to impact
the game on so many levels and his Buddy Luke
right behind him. That was awesome to see and like
happy for both those guys, and you know, so offensively.
(14:47):
Obviously Schwartz had a huge game. You know, we talked
about that getting Patty back was so important for our team.
You know, so the job that you know JD and
Degan and Pat and Coach Jones have done getting back
out there just awesome job. And then I thought Carson
Hanson gave us great at bats and just up and
down the lineup, we had good quality at ats and
(15:08):
that was our offense, clicking on all cylinders. Homers, buns,
stolen bases, aggressive base running, hit and runs, the whole deal.
And proud of that group for the way they responded.
Speaker 1 (15:20):
Coach, we haven't had a chance to really talk about
the SEC tournament.
Speaker 2 (15:24):
It starts in a week from now.
Speaker 1 (15:25):
I know you're focused on Northern Kentucky, but the tournament
is coming up. New format this year. All sixteen teams
get to go to Hoover. It's now a single elimination,
double by, single by, and then the rest will play
on the first day in on Tuesday, when you saw
the new format and it was approved, what was your
first reaction to seeing the new SEC Tournament.
Speaker 3 (15:43):
The exact format I wanted.
Speaker 2 (15:45):
Okay, like it was, you know.
Speaker 3 (15:47):
And the reason why we're talking about this because this
is the last radio show of the year, so we
won't have time to talk about it, but it was
exactly what I thought we should do. And the teams
that finished in the top four, they deserve to get
their rest and not feel like you have to rush
down there and change your pitching. And same thing with
the other teams, you know, and if you're one of
those teams that finish towards the bottom, you got to
(16:07):
earn and you got to win more games. But it
honors what you've done during the regular season, and it
also gives every team an opportunity to win well.
Speaker 2 (16:14):
And coach too.
Speaker 1 (16:15):
If there's anybody from Big Blue Nation thinking about going,
they can go to Nashville and support the Cats this
weekend against Vanny and then just going down to Hoover.
Speaker 2 (16:22):
It's a great environment down there.
Speaker 3 (16:23):
That's exactly what we're doing, So just follow the bus.
It's an awesome place for sure. Well, coach, it was
a special weekend.
Speaker 1 (16:30):
Not only did you sweep Oklahoma, but you had a
chance to honor all of your seniors and a really
cool moment on Sunday with it being Mother's Day as
not only did Kentucky's players get to throw a ceremony,
well the moms through a ceremonial first pitch to their sons,
but Oklahoma participated too.
Speaker 3 (16:47):
Yeah, what an awesome weekend. We have four guys that
are going to graduate to still have eligibility, so I
had a chance to honor them, and then our twelve seniors.
And you know, this senior class has a chance this year.
We're a couple of wins away, handful more wins to
be the winningest senior class in the history of University
of Kentucky baseball. Excuse me, you need four more wins
(17:09):
if the senior class I'm gonna optimistic, mister Darren, like
I'm gonna say.
Speaker 2 (17:13):
When we get four more ways.
Speaker 3 (17:15):
It'll be the winningest class in the history of Kentucky baseball.
So super proud of them. And you know what the
special touch with the mothers that was so awesome. And
you know, I Brock had answered Brock, our chief of staff,
just amazing and I'm pretty sure I don't know if
it was his idea or what, but just to invite
to Oklahoma mothers, and I know that man so much
(17:37):
to them. And you know, baseball moms are tough, and
they spent a lot of time at ballparks and in
the car during the summer and travel baseball and everything else.
And we couldn't think of a better way to honor
them to all of our moms, and of course to
Oklahoma moms. And you know, Christin, my wife, just the
biggest sweetheart. She walked over there and welcomed them and
made them feel at home and they were so appreciative.
(18:01):
And I just think you know this, but anytime we
get a chance to spend with our moms is an
awesome thing, especially on a baseball field. So overall, special weekend,
special class, special job all the way around. And now
the focuses, as you mentioned, is on northern Kentucky, so
big Blue Nation, come out and see us.
Speaker 1 (18:17):
All right, Coach, It's always a pleasure to do these
weekly radio shows with you, and we look forward to
being back at Kentucky Proud Park one final time in
the regular season tomorrow night.
Speaker 3 (18:25):
I've enjoyed them all season along with you. Thanks Darren,
Go Cats.
Speaker 1 (18:28):
This has been the nick Menji own show We'll Talk
to You Tomorrow night, six fifteen airtime from Kentucky Proud Park.
The Norse and the Cats here on the UK Sports
Network
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