Patrick Herrera surging at the top of Kentucky’s lineup
Patrick Herrera, who has spent the last two seasons as a bench piece for Kentucky, has emerged as one of the Wildcats’ most important players down the final stretch as they look to make their third NCAA Tournament appearance in three years.
Herrera, who has played in 37 of Kentucky’s 38 games this season, leads the team with a .328 batting average and a .474 on base percentage. Along with his bat, Herrera has blossomed into one of the best defensive third basemen in the entirety of College Baseball.
The senior dominated in Tuesday’s 17-5 run-rule victory over No. 19 Louisville, as he went 3-3 at the plate with a solo home run, a three-run triple and an RBI-single. He was a double short of the first cycle in the history of the Kentucky Baseball program and drove in a career-high five RBI. Since April 4’s game against Ole Miss, Herrera has notched a hit in nine of Kentucky’s last 10 games.
“I’ve said it all year, he’s a guy that just gives you quality at-bat after quality at-bat and plays an awesome third base,” Nick Mingione said following the Louisville win. “He has this comedic timing about him and he plays with confidence. The guys love him and he’s been a great leader for us. He’s another guy that’s waited his turn. This is his third year and he’s waited his turn.”
The Mesa, AZ native played his freshman season at Northwestern (where he was named Second Team All-Big 10), but transferred to the SEC for the final three seasons of his career. After playing in just 40 games over the past two seasons, Herrera along with freshman phenom Tyler Bell are becoming automatic-base runners at the top of the Kentucky lineup.
“I feel like in previous years I was maybe trying to do too much in RBI situations,” Herrera said following the Louisville win. “I’ve just trusted in my ability to do what I do in every at-bat, whether that’s get on base and pass it to the next guy or get my swing off. So I do what I’ve done my whole life and trust that for sure.”
Herrera will look to continue his hot stretch this weekend when Kentucky hosts South Carolina for a three-game series at Kentucky Proud Park. First pitch for Friday’s game is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. EST.
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