West Orange baseball alumnus Gunnar McNeill sets UK program record

Gunnar McNeill sure knows how to make himself feel at home.

McNeill, a West Orange High alumnus, has played 31 games for the University of Kentucky’s baseball team, ranked No. 16 nationally in the latest Baseball America poll. Remarkably, the former slugger for the Warriors has reached base for the Wildcats (22-9) in 30 of those 31 games.

Not only does McNeill have that impressive achievement to his credit, but in just his first season with Kentucky, he has etched his name in the program’s record books. 

With a single up the middle in the top of the fourth April 1 against Tennessee, McNeill extended a hitting streak to 21 games — a record for the program’s modern era. McNeill had hits in games on April 2 and April 3 before failing to register a hit in an April 8 game, ending his record-breaking hitting streak at 23 games. 

The hitting streak is the longest in the Southeastern Conference this season.

McNeill’s success so far for the Wildcats is particularly noteworthy considering the path he took to play for Kentucky. With ties to the school through his father, who golfed collegiately for the Wildcats, McNeill left Florida International University after a strong freshman season in 2014 and played for Chipola Junior College in 2015.

The decision to transfer from FIU and play for Chipola enabled McNeill to transfer to Kentucky ahead of the 2016 season and be immediately eligible to play.

The Wildcats are currently in third place in the SEC East with an 8-4 conference record. Kentucky will be back in action this weekend in a three-game series against SEC rival Vanderbilt.

Contact Steven Ryzewski at [email protected].