Notebook: Kentucky's first game without Tyler Bell, an anecdote on what it takes to win in the portal era

Kentucky was without star shortstop Tyler Bell against USC Upstate because of an injury in the West Virginia game.

Shortstop Tyler Bell. Photo by Ethan Rand of UK Athletics.

CLEMSON, S.C. — Kentucky shortstop Tyler Bell opened the Clemson Regional with one of his toughest at-bats of the season. He held off on pitches out of the zone against West Virginia Starter Griffin Kirn and spoiled others with two strikes, eventually working a 10-pitch walk to begin the game. But his outstanding at-bat came at a price.

Bell fouled a pitch off his leg, leaving him in a clear amount of pain for the next few minutes. Rather than come out of the game, Bell stayed in and gutted out the entire nine innings. But he was often limping while moving on defense and was certainly not 100 percent.

And in Saturday’s elimination game against USC Upstate, Kentucky played without its All-SEC freshman shortstop for the first time this season. It was a major loss as Bell is slashing .301/.384/.534 with 17 doubles, two triples, 10 home runs and 46 RBIs this year. Head coach Nick Mingione called Bell a “warrior” and broke down the situation after Kentucky’s win over the Spartans.