Kentucky RF James McCoy guns down Florida's Hayden Yost with incredible throw to 2B
Kentucky right-fielder James McCoy doesn’t allow doubles on his watch. During Kentucky’s showdown against Florida on Sunday, McCoy left fans in awe of his arm power.
In the bottom of the third inning, Florida’s Hayden Yost cracked a line drive to right field that would normally lead to an easy double. However, McCoy stunned Yost when he perfectly launched the ball to second base, leading to the out.
With the play, Kentucky held on to its 3-0 lead. Kentucky head coach Nick Mingione would expect nothing less from James McCoy. During an in-game interview, Mingione revealed how UK’s grueling schedule has prepared it for the final stretch of the season.
“The margin of victory, I say this all the time, is so small. It’s absolutely minimal,” Mingione said. “You’re gonna look back every weekend and you’re gonna say, ‘Hey, there was one play here, one pitch here or one at-bat here.’
“That’s why our league plays for national championships. What was it? Fourteen of the last 15 years? It’s because the margin of victory is so small in every game. This game right here feels like a super regional and you do that for 10 straight weeks in this league, it just totally prepares you.”
Mingione’s optimistic attitude has paid dividends for the ‘Cats. Kentucky is 19-7 in conference play this season, tied for second place in the SEC standings. The Wildcats aren’t the only ones feeling the season’s ending closing in on them.
Kevin O’Sullivan praises Florida senior class
Ahead of Kentucky and Florida’s series-ending showdown on Sunday, the Gators held their annual Senior Day celebration. During an in-game interview Florida head coach Kevin O’Sullivan pulled back the curtain on the special day.
“Well, it’s bittersweet, obviously. It’s a special day,” O’Sullivan said. “We look forward to it every year and, obviously, it was a really good, cool moment. I think we had six seniors and a manager that we were able to recognize today and obviously we’re hoping we can play a little bit better here in the second half of the game and send these guys off on a positive note.”
Utilityman Armando Albert, catcher Tanner Garrison, outfielder Jaylen Guy, relief pitcher Blake Purnell, left fielder/third baseman Tyler Shelnut, relief pitcher Ryan Slater and third baseman Dale Thomas participated in the Senior Day festivities.
However, it’s worth noting Purnell and Shelnut each have one year of eligibility remaining. The SEC Tournament will run from May 21-26 at the Hoover Metropolitan Complex in Hoover, Alabama.