LEXINGTON —Kentucky baseballkeeps revising its record book. Last week, for the first time in program history, UK swept through the NCAA Tournament's Lexington Regional, beating Western Michigan, Illinois and Indiana State in consecutive outings. It's the first time since the institution of super regional play in 1999 theWildcats won an NCAA regional without dropping a game.
Their romp through the regional gave them the right to host a super regional for the first time.
To take that last step and make its College World Series debut, Kentucky will have to get past Oregon State, which is no stranger to college baseball's biggest stage.
The Beavers, the No. 15 national seed in this year's tournament, have seven CWS appearances, with six since the turn of the century. Once they've gotten to Omaha, Nebraska, the Beavers have capitalized, capturing the national title three times (2006, 2007 and 2018).
WATCH:Follow Kentucky baseball vs. Oregon State in NCAA Lexington Super Regional on Fubo (free trial)
Looking for a seat?Kentucky baseball is hosting the Lexington Super Regional. Here are the best ticket options for the 2024 NCAA Tournament
Oregon State earned a super regional spot by duplicating UK's feat of winning all three regional games it played, downing Tulane in the opener and then beating UC Irvine in back-to-back contests.
The Wildcats and Beavers have had stellar seasons.
UK claimed a share of the SEC regular-season championshipfor only the second time and enters the super regional with a43-14 record in 2024.
Oregon State is 45-14 this year, going 19-10 in Pac-12 play during the regular season to finish second in the conference, a half-game behind the champion, Arizona.
The Beavers excel offensively and defensively.
Second baseman Travis Bazzana is the Pac-12 Player of the Year, ranked among the top 10 nationally in numerous statistical categories and expected to be one of the top picks in this year's MLB draft. He's batting .415 on the season, with 28 home runs and 66 RBIs. But he's not the only OSU player striping it at the plate: Outfielders Micah McDowell (.403) and LF Dallas Macias (.325) have stout batting averages, while designated hitter Gavin Turley has a team-best 74 RBIs. The Beavers have set a single-season program mark with 118 home runs in 2024. Their 381 walks this season is third nationally, just one off the top spot held by South Carolina and Troy. Oregon State also ranks among the top 10 in the country in on-base percentage (.426; eighth) and slugging percentage (.565; seventh).
On the mound, Oregon State has a pair of top-flight pitchers.
Aiden May is 7-0 this season and carries a 2.88 ERA. Jacob Kmatz is close behind, with a 7-2 record in 2024 and a 3.29 ERA. As a staff, the Beavers have an ERA of 3.98, which leads the Pac-12 and ranks seventh in Division I.
Here's what to know about Kentucky's super regional matchup against Oregon State atKentucky Proud Park, with first pitch set for 6 p.m. Saturday:
Kentucky baseball vs Oregon State prediction in NCAA Super Regional bracket
Kentucky 7, Oregon State 6:The Beavers are flush with talent at the plate and on the mound. A program with multiple national titles and numerous trips to the College World Series won't be affected by what likely will be a record-setting crowd in Lexington on Saturday night. But if Oregon State has shown one weakness this season, it's that it struggles away from home. The Beavers are 27-2 in Corvallis, Oregon, this year, while they're 9-10 in road games. Saturday shapes up as a titanic battle between two superlative squads. Expect multiple lead changes and highlight plays from both sides. But in the first super regional home game in program history, it's hard to see the Wildcats not finding a way to escape with a hard-fought victory.
Kentucky vs. Oregon State odds in 2024 NCAA tournament
Odds courtesy of BetMGM. Odds will be updated as they become available.
Spread:N/A
Moneyline:Oregon State, +100; Kentucky, -130
Over/under:N/A
Kentucky baseball odds to reach 2024 College World SeriesBetMGM
Odds courtesy of BetMGM. Odds will be updated as they become available.
Kentucky:The Wildcats havethe fifth-best odds at +1000to win the College World Series, per BetMGM.
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