College World Series run helped lure Boone to Kentucky

Kentucky's added exposure during the postseason played a role in California freshman Oliver Boone's transfer.

Photo courtesy of California Golden Bears Athletics

California freshman right-handed pitcher Oliver Boone might be one of the first examples of Kentucky’s College World Series run affecting recruiting. Boone, a native of North Hollywood, California, watched some of Kentucky’s postseason run on television and immediately had an interest in the program.

“I wasn’t really aware of them that much just being on the West Coast,” Boone told Bat Cats Central. “I’m kinda just looking at all the schools around us. But then I saw (Kentucky) play and I was like ‘wow, this might actually be somewhere I want to go.’ I researched the program a bit and thought everything was really cool. I’ve seen (head coach Nick Mingione) do a bunch of interviews. My mom would always bring me in when he did an interview and I was like ‘man, this guy has so many good things to say.’ I fell in love with the program pretty quick.”

Boone entered the transfer portal following a solid freshman campaign at California. He finished the year 1-1 with a 4.45 earned run average in 30.1 innings of work over 12 appearances. Boone struck out 34 batters and held opponents to a .188 batting average for the season.