By Tom Hurley | @TomHurleyKernel

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Returning junior pitcher Trevor Gott had quite the season for UK baseball in 2012. His nine saves set a new single-season school record.

Those staring him down in the batters box managed 17 hits and a .189 batting average when facing his right-handed pitches.

He struck out 38 batters in 25 innings of work over 23 games, recording a 3-0 record and 2.16 ERA. But, no matter the personal achievements, Gott spent the off-season raring to get back on the mound after the season ended in heartbreak.

“After losing in Gary (Ind.) … it hurt real bad,” he said at baseball media day. “We thought we should have hosted and then we didn’t. I think there’s a lot of unfinished business.”

Gott says he is “100 percent” this spring following what he called a minor bursitis issue, and he recently was added to the preseason watch list for the Stopper of the Year award, given to the top reliever each college baseball season.

Coming into the season ranked as high as No. 8 in the preseason polls, the Cats are comfortably equipped for the upcoming campaign.

“We got a lot of returners coming back, got a good freshman class,” he said. “We’re close knit just like we were last year so I think we’ve got a great season ahead of us.”

Gott said that he and his fellow upperclassmen are happy with what they’ve seen in training camp of their new freshman teammates.

“I think they fit in perfect for the type of personality our team is,” he said. “They come after it every day … older guys have done a great job getting them used to how we do things around here. Bring it every day (and) grind.”

After making it to the regional round of last year’s postseason, Gott and his teammates are aiming higher for 2013. “We’re hoping Omaha, that’s always the goal,” he said. “Win the SEC, for starters, and then host a regional and super regional then hopefully make it to Omaha.”

The Lexington native was happy to put to bed any fears that the team might enter the season overconfident and play a little relaxed when the season gets under way Friday on the road against UNC Asheville.

“I think we’ll come out with a chip on our shoulder and take it to everybody,” Gott said. “We’ve got unfinished business to take care of.”