The Kentucky Wildcats are back in the NCAA Tournament for the third straight year, opening play in the Clemson Regional on Friday, May 30, 2025, against the West Virginia Mountaineers. First pitch from Doug Kingsmore Stadium is set for noon ET, with the game airing live on ESPNU. After last season’s historic run to the College World Series, the Cats are hungry to make more history in their 12th NCAA Tournament appearance.
A Program on the Rise
Kentucky (29-24, 13-17 SEC) is coming off a landmark 2024 season that saw them reach Omaha for the first time in program history, a monumental achievement for a team that’s been playing baseball since 1896. Now, with three consecutive NCAA Regional berths under their belt—a first for the program—head coach Nick Mingione knows his squad is on the cusp of something special.
“They completed something that’s never been done before in Kentucky baseball history,” Mingione said of the Cats’ three-peat regional streak. “We are now five wins away from going back to the College World Series.”
Mingione, in his ninth season at the helm, has been a driving force behind Kentucky’s resurgence. The Wildcats have 28 NCAA Tournament wins in school history, and Mingione has accounted for exactly half of them, doubling the program’s all-time NCAA win total during his tenure. Last season’s Omaha run was the pinnacle, but this battle-tested 2025 squad—having faced the nation’s ninth-toughest schedule—is ready for another deep postseason push.
Scouting the Mountaineers
Friday’s opponent, West Virginia, is no pushover. The Mountaineers (41-14) claimed the Big 12 regular-season title and were in the mix to host a regional late in the year. WVU boasts a potent lineup, with six players hitting .300 or better, making them a formidable challenge for the Cats. The two teams met in the 2023 Lexington Regional, where Kentucky dominated in a 10-0 elimination game win at Kentucky Proud Park. But this is a new year, and the Mountaineers are a different beast.
“They’re a talented group, and they’ve earned their spot here,” Mingione said of WVU. “We’ve got to bring our best from the first pitch.”
Kentucky is expected to turn to one of its weekend starters from SEC play. Freshman right-hander Nate Harris (4-2, 4.72 ERA) held down the Friday slot during the regular season, while Nic McCay (5-0, 4.37 ERA) pitched on Saturdays, and sophomore lefty Ben Cleaver (6-3, 3.39 ERA) anchored Sundays. Cleaver’s team-best ERA could make him the choice to set the tone in this opener.
Regional Rundown
The Clemson Regional is a double-elimination format, with Friday’s second game pitting the host Clemson Tigers against the USC Upstate Spartans. The winners of Friday’s games will face off Saturday at 6:00 p.m. ET, while the losers meet in an elimination game at noon. The tournament continues through at least Sunday, with a possible Monday finale to crown the regional champion.
The Big Picture
Kentucky’s 2025 season may not have the flashiest record, but their grit against a brutal schedule has prepared them for moments like this. With Mingione’s postseason pedigree—he’s been the architect of 14 of UK’s 28 NCAA wins—the Cats have the experience and talent to make another deep run. A win over West Virginia would set up a favorable matchup on Saturday and keep their Omaha dreams alive. Big Blue Nation will be glued to ESPNU, hoping to see the Wildcats take the first step toward a return to the College World Series.
