A look back at Kentucky Baseball's record-breaking season before tournament play begins
Kentucky will debut in the 2024 SEC Tournament on Wednesday, drawing LSU, the No. 11 seed, after the Tigers eliminated No. 6 Georgia on Tuesday. The Wildcats and Tigers will meet in the tournament’s first game on Day 2, set for a 9:30 a.m. start in Hoover, Alabama. That’s 10:30 a.m. to everyone in the Eastern Time Zone.
While we wait for the first pitch, let’s appreciate what the Wildcats accomplished against the SEC in the regular season. 2024 was a memorable year for Kentucky Baseball. These are some of the numbers and accolades to prove it:
School-Record 22 SEC Wins
Kentucky’s 2024 season was memorable because it was the best in school history. The Wildcats went 22-8 against the Southeastern Conference, a new record for most SEC wins in a single season.
School-Record 11 SEC Road Wins
Kentucky won half of its school-record 22 games outside of Kentucky Proud Park. The 11 road wins also set a new high at UK.
The Only SEC Team To Sweep Four Series
Kentucky swept its opponent behind enemy lines in four of the five road series. The Wildcats swept Georgia, Ole Miss, Alabama, and Auburn for the most road sweeps in the SEC.
Best Start In School History
Kentucky was scorching hot early in league play, winning 14 of the first 15 SEC games. UK had a two-game lead on the conference at the turn.
School-Record 11 Straight SEC Wins
The hot start included a run of 11 consecutive wins, a new school record for a conference-winning streak.
SEC Coach of the Year
On Monday, the conference named Nick Mingione its 2024 SEC Coach of the Year for leading Kentucky through its special season. Mingione is now a two-time winner in his eight seasons in Lexington.
Two All-SEC Selections
Joining Mingione with SEC hardware, grad transfer Nick Lopez was named First Team All-Southeastern Conference as a designated hitter, followed by Ryan Waldschmidt on the Second Team as an outfielder.
Second baseman Émilien Pitre, third baseman Mitch Daly, and pitcher Mason Moore were All-Defensive Team selections.
Two Top-10 Hitters
Two Wildcats are among the best hitters in the SEC. Nick Lopez ranks fifth in the conference, batting .380 on the season. Behind him, Ryan Waldschmidt is sixth with a .370 batting average.
No. 1 in Stolen Bases
If you know Kentucky Baseball, you know the Wildcats lead the league in stolen bases. They’ve successfully stolen base 104 times, 16 more than second-place Vanderbilt, and more than double the stolen bases by Ole Miss, Arkansas, Tennessee, LSU, Florida, Alabama, and Georgia.
Co-SEC Champs for the 2nd time
For only the second time in school history, Kentucky celebrated the SEC regular season championship in Lexington. A day later, Tennessee claimed a share of the title, but Kentucky still calls itself champ in 2024.
“And we’re only getting started,” say the champs.
The Wildcats get started in the SEC Baseball Tournament on Wednesday morning.
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