Hometown Harris Shines in Kentucky Debut
On Wednesday, as the Kentucky baseball team took the field at Kentucky Proud Park, one Wildcat was literally living out his dreams.
Lexington native Leighton Harris took the mound for the Cats, making his first career appearance for the team he grew up rooting for throughout his childhood.
The former Frederick Douglass High School standout was more than up to the challenge on Wednesday. He held Morehead State scoreless through four innings of work, allowing five hits and a walk while striking out four in a 8-2 UK victory. For Harris, it was a dream come true, pitching for the Big Blue.
“A little nerve-wracking at first. I came back in the dugout after the first inning, got out of it and Pat (Herrera) reminded me it’s nine versus one, just ram it in the zone,” Harris said. “When you’re playing with those guys and throw up a touchdown in the first inning, it’s pretty easy to get back out there and just ram it in there and let them make plays for me.”
The 6-3, 215-pound lefty pitched his way around an early walk and a base hit in the first inning, then got out of a two-on, one out jam in the second. He gave up two hits in the third inning, but did not allow a runner to get past second base. And in his final frame, he retired the Eagles in order.
“The fourth inning, I was the most settled and felt like myself, just out there cruising,” Harris said. “After the fourth inning, Coach Roszel told me to stay ready but if I needed to go back out, I was ready to go.”
Harris had a number of family and friends in the stands on Wednesday to see his collegiate debut. That was something he really enjoyed.
“It’s cool and looking up and some of my teammates from last year at Douglass were right by the dugout,” Harris said. “Coach Braden, the head coach at Douglass told me their practice today was to come watch me. It was awesome.”
UK head coach Nick Mingione liked what Harris was able to do in his first collegiate start.
“That was awesome,” Mingione said. “A long time coming. From the time he committed to us to the time he got here and finally, we finally got him out there.”
Mingione was pleased, but not surprised, by what Harris gave to the team on Wednesday.
“Not surprised one bit. Just a winner in every sense of the word, competed his heart out and super proud of him,” Mingione said. “I thought his last inning was his best inning. He just did so many things well. Just so happy for him.”
Pitching in his first collegiate game, in his hometown and for his favorite team, Harris was outstanding on Wednesday as the Cats topped Morehead State.
