Kentucky baseball reacts to making NCAA Tournament

Both D1 Baseball and Baseball America had the Kentucky baseball team as the last team out of the NCAA Tournament in their final projections on Monday morning. When they were announced as the three-seed in the Clemson Regional, you can imagine the sigh of relief from Nick Mingione and company in Lexington.

That moment was recorded for all to see, as the special moment was posted on social media by the Kentucky baseball team. After more than a couple of potential conference tournament bid-stealers, the Wildcats’ excitement for the opportunity is apparent on the tape.

The Moment: We’re dancing! pic.twitter.com/IGtMUO9SM6

— Kentucky Baseball (@UKBaseball) May 26, 2025

Kentucky’s NCAA Tournament bid is an historic one for the Wildcats. For the first time, UK baseball is dancing for three-straight seasons.

Multiple bid-stealers such as Nebraska, Western Kentucky and Eastern Carolina could have hindered the Wildcats’ final NCAA Tournament designation. In the end, they make the tournament despite its late-season collapse. They finish the season 29-24 overall with a 13-17 record against SEC competition.

Kentucky’s case to the selection committee wasn’t helped by the fact they were swept by Vanderbilt on the road during the final series of the regular season last week. They followed that up by finishing their SEC Tournament game in one day after losing to Oklahoma 5-1. Still, the committee felt as though the Wildcats had done enough in a tough Southeastern Conference. One hurdle the Wildcats are having to face, however, is that it’ll be almost two weeks since they last played a game.

“What we’ll do is get back and give them a day or two just to get their bodies right, as we’ve been on the road since Vanderbilt last week,” Nick Mingione said following Kentucky’s loss to Oklahoma on Tuesday. “We’ll immediately get into practice. We’ll set up some modified scrimmages this weekend to keep their arms in shape and in a good spot. We’ll keep making sure our pitching is lined up and continue to keep going.”

Despite its near-even record, Kentucky totaled 11 wins over teams that made the NCAA Tournament this season. They also boasted the eighth strongest schedule in the country during the 2025 regular season.

The at-large Wildcats will begin its NCAA Tournament against West Virginia on Friday, while Clemson, the regional host, will take on USC Upstate. One of these four teams will advance through to face the winner of the Baton Rouge Regional the following weekend. First pitch between UK-WVU is slated for Noon ET.