UK Baseball pitcher Mason Hazelwood returning for one more season

In just a matter of two days, the Bat ‘Cats have received great news regarding three returnees.

On Wednesday it was right-handed pitchers Sean Harney and Daniel Harper announcing that they would come back to Kentucky for another season, and on Thursday left-handed pitcher Mason Hazelwood did the same. A 6-foot-5 grad student from Salvisa, Kentucky, and a graduate of Mercer County High School, Hazelwood underwent Tommy John surgery in March just five starts into his 2021 season.

He continues to rehab his elbow and the hope is he can be ready for the coming spring

Pitching staff looking 𝙣𝙞𝙞𝙞𝙞𝙞𝙞𝙞𝙞𝙘𝙚 for next spring!@HazelwoodMason is returning for a final season! Big time news for the Cats!#WeAreUK pic.twitter.com/oOuIUYtAlk

— Kentucky Baseball (@UKBaseball) July 15, 2021

“We’re thrilled Mason is returning,” Head coach Nick Mingione said in UK’s press release. “He continues to put in the work it’s going to take to come back ready to help us next spring. He will bring a wealth of experience to the pitching staff.”

Before the Tommy John surgery put an early end to his 2021 campaign, Hazelwood posted a 3-0 record with an ERA of 2.13. In total, he threw 25.1 innings while giving up just six earned runs, striking out 32 batters, and walking another nine. His opponents could only manage of batting average of .228, as well.

[UK Athletics]