We’re less than a week away from the first pitch of the 2024 college baseball season, and Head Coach Nick Mingione and his Kentucky Wildcats are ready to take that next step to reach the College World Series for the first time in program history. Last season, Kentucky finished the season with a Lexington Regional Championship, two wins away from reaching the holy grail of baseball in Omaha at the College World Series, and a lot of momentum and positive vibes heading into the 2024 season.

In an interview with Mitch Davis on The Hit It To Hoover Podcast, Coach Mingione discussed taking Kentucky Baseball to the next step and what that would look like for the Wildcats.

Sustained success. Building off what worked last season and continuing to develop into 2024 will be the difference maker for the Wildcats as they approach Opening Day on Friday. In baseball, success takes so many forms and turns that it takes a toll on any program. However, the great baseball teams that win in Omaha have a bond that would take a freak incident to break. Heading into the 2024 season, Kentucky Baseball has that unbreakable bond that takes teams to the next level.

Kentucky has several guys back from last season who contributed to the Wildcats in 2023. Coach Mingione expects Devin Burkes, Mason Moore, and others to be the difference makers for Kentucky during the 2024 season. Out of those returning players from the 2023 season, five of them stole 15 bases last season.

Coach Mingione mentioned one of the crucial steps in reaching Omaha to compete in the College World Series. Is the chance to be a top-eight seed and have the opportunity to host a Regional and then a Super Regional? Those extra home games in front of your fans provide a home-field advantage unique to college baseball. Last season, Kentucky had the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to host the Lexington Regional, shattering attendance numbers and giving the Wildcats the extra boost to earn a trip to Alex Box Stadium to take on LSU.

Southeastern Conference success also plays a massive role in being a top-eight seed. Every team goes through a slump or two throughout the season; the great ones find a way to power through positioning for a deep run in Hoover at the Southeastern Conference Tournament.

Kentucky will open its season on Friday afternoon as the Wildcats travel to USC Upstage for a three-game series.