Versatile Cottam Ready to Lead UK Baseball Team

During his two years in Lexington, Kole Cottam has made 73 starts, either at catcher or as a designated hitter. This season, fans of the Kentucky baseball team will see Cottam in a new role at times – playing first base.

Cottam and Troy Squires make up the UK catching duo that leads the team, according to Kentucky head coach Nick Mingione.
 
“Kole Cottam and Troy Squires have been as good a leaders as we have had,” Mingione said.  This season, the UK head man likes the idea of having both players on the field at the same time.

Cottam and Squires have bought in heavily to the idea of this season outdoing last year’s, believing that leadership doesn’t just happen on the field, but off it as well.     
 
“Some of the best players are the best leaders on and off the field and that is how I try to make myself, strive to be that both on and off the field,” Cottam said. “In everything I do, I try to be the best leader I can.”
 
Off the field is where this team really makes a difference, and Cottam has been a huge part of that. In the 2017 season, he made the SEC Academic Honor Roll and played a part in keeping the team GPA above a 3.1. Cottam also contributed significantly to the 210 hours of community service that the team put in last year, which Mingione claims tied into the family development of this team.

On the field, Cottam had a big 2017 season, playing in 55 games, including 50 starts. He hit seven home runs, drove in 44 runs and scored 34 of his own. He had 20 mutli-game hits, with a .324 batting average in conference play. Behind the plate, Cottam threw out over 50 percent of base runners trying to steal.
 
Mingione hopes Cottam’s versatility and ability to make crucial plays on the field will lead him and the UK team to an even more memorable year this season. Cottam is leading his team to believe that anything is possible, even a national championship.
 
“Last year was different, we were just kind of waiting to see what happens, but we did something we have never done before,” Cottam said. “We believe we can do that again, keep taking that step forward and make it to Omaha. We know we can do that and we really believe that.”
 
Kentucky opens its 2018 season on Friday when the Wildcats visit Wofford in Spartanburg, S.C. The Wildcats’ final home opener at Cliff Hagan Stadium is scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 21 against Xavier at 4 p.m.