“This team is really unselfish”: Kentucky Wildcats' Grant Smith discloses team’s competitive spirit after making way to Omaha

Kentucky Wildcats has been living the dream this year. Their maiden appearance in this year's College World Series exemplifies their growth in the Nick Mingione era, with the team developing incredible synergy that is often on display in their performances.

Amid their first experience in Omaha, Wildcats infielder Grant Smith revealed one of their biggest strengths, which was their mentality. When asked what it took for the team to reach the season-ending tournament, he explained how their mentality of building each other helped them.

"A lot of hard work, dedication throughout the fall," Smith said. "Lot of competitive inter-squads and practices, stuff like that. But, most importantly I think this team is really unselfish. It takes a lot of guys pulling for each other to be able to succeed this much."

The Wildcats' batting statistics reveal the importance of being unselfish at the plate. Smith is one of eight hitters with over 30 RBIs this season, indicating their aim of driving in runs is more critical to winning games than going for massive home runs.

The fact that Ryan Nicholson and Ryan Waldschmidt are the only hitters with more than 10 home runs this season highlights that mentality even further. They also work hard on the field. Despite recording 42 errors and being the 11th-best fielding side in D1 baseball, they are the second-best in the field of eight in Omaha with a .980 fielding percentage, behind only the Florida Gators.

The Wildcats enjoyed an excellent regular season, winning the SEC regular season title for the first time in 18 years. They also achieved the highest-ever seeding for the postseason in program history by becoming the No. 2 seed for this year's NCAA Tournament.

Kentucky Baseball kick off maiden College World Series journey with a win

The Wildcats added to their sparkling season by winning their first-ever College World Series game on June 15th. They earned a hard-fought 5-4 win over the NC State Wolfpack to keep themselves in the winners' bracket.

Kentucky Wildcats started their maiden College World Series journey on a winning note.

Third baseman Mitchell Daly was their hero on the day, slamming a walk-off home run in the bottom of the tenth to clinch the game. The second seed will take on the third seed Texas A&M Aggies for a chance to make the final game of the bracket. Their showdown will take place on June 17th at 7:00 pm ET.