Day 2 of the 2024 College World Series in Omaha, Nebraska did not disappoint as it continued to provide thrilling games just like the opening day. Saturday’s opener saw yet another walk-off win, this time in extra innings.
In the first game of the day, No. 2 seed Kentucky faced off against No. 10 NC State. The game was tied at 4-4 heading into the 10th inning when Mitchell Daly hit a decisive home run with two outs off Derrick Smith, giving Kentucky a 5-4 walk-off win. This was the third walk-off finish in the first three games at Charles Schwab Field.
Daly’s home run, his seventh of the season, secured the victory for Kentucky. The senior third baseman had an impressive regular season, batting .302 with a .691 OPS. Kentucky’s first baseman, Ryan Nicholson, also played a crucial role in the game, going 3-for-4, including a game-tying home run in the ninth inning. Nicholson led the Wildcats during the regular season with 21 home runs and 61 RBI.
The play of the game came when Nicholson hit an opposite field home run in the ninth inning off NC State’s Jacob Dudan to tie the score at 4-4. Earlier in the inning, the Wolfpack had taken the lead when Garrett Pennington scored on a wild pitch by Johnny Hummel. Ultimately, Kentucky emerged victorious, setting the stage for more exciting matchups in the College World Series.