Bat Cats earn commitment from All-CUSA Western Kentucky RHP transfer Jack Bennett

NCAA Baseball: NCAA Oxford Regional-First Round Mississippi at Western Kentucky — May 31, 2025; Oxford, MS, USA; Western Kentucky Hilltoppers staring pitcher Jack Bennett (5) pitches during the first inning against the Mississippi Rebels. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

The good news keeps rolling in for Nick Mingione and the Bat Cats, Kentucky earning a big-time commitment from WKU right-handed pitcher Jack Bennett, On3’s Pete Nakos reported late Friday evening.

Bennett, a weekend starter for the Hilltoppers and All-Conference USA Second-Team selection in 2025, finished the season with a 3.13 ERA in 63.1 innings pitched. The 6-2 junior held opponents to a .252 batting average with 49 strikeouts and just 20 walks.

Fired up for the next chapter!! 🔴🔜🔵#committed #BBN #GoBigBlue @Jadenhardin5 @nickjgaitan pic.twitter.com/2vnsvRBBSj
— Jack Bennett (@JackBennett04) June 7, 2025

As talented as he is, the Paducah native’s passion for his home state and the opportunity to wear Kentucky across his chest stands out with this commitment. UK is getting an all-conference pitcher with a big blue heart.

“Being a hometown kid, growing up in Kentucky, I’ve always been a UK fan,” Bennett told Derek Terry of Bat Cats Central. “I basically came out of the womb bleeding blue. It’s always been a dream school of mine to go to, much less play baseball for. I want to make the program better and try to get to Omaha and win a College World Series.”

Bennett was named to the College Baseball Hall of Fame National Pitcher of the Year Watch List this past season, finishing with a 7-1 record across 14 starts. In three years at WKU, he racked up 55 appearances with 28 starts and 171.1 innings on the mound.

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A star in high school at McCracken County, the newest Wildcat was named 2022 Gatorade Player of the Year in Kentucky and was the Region 1 Player of the Year, boasting a 0.60 ERA his senior year while also thriving at third base. He was the No. 10 overall player and the No. 1 third baseman in the 2022 recruiting cycle, according to Perfect Game.

Bennett’s commitment continues a trend for Mingione this offseason, the WKU transfer joining RHPs Kaden Echeman of Northern Kentucky and Burkley Bounds of Eastern Kentucky as portal additions — the Bat Cats clearly valuing in-state pitching.

It’s all part of a push to return to Omaha in 2026, Kentucky coming off a Regional Final appearance this postseason and looking for more. The team got help in the form of Tyler Bell, Ben Cleaver, Ryan Schwartz, Nate Harris and Luke Lawrence all confirming returns next season to bring the core group back, and now, Bennett’s addition only builds optimism.

Welcome home, Jack Bennett! It’s always a good day when someone trades out the red for blue.