Kentucky Baseball wins series over No. 10 Ole Miss

The Kentucky Wildcats completed an eight-game road trip this weekend when they visited the No. 10 Ole Miss Rebels in Oxford.

For the Wildcats, the final stop of the road trip was a massive success, as they took two out of three from the No. 10 Rebels. The series victory was Kentucky’s first of SEC play in 2019.

Here’s a recap of all three games in Mississippi:

Game 1: Ole Miss 8, UK 2

Game one of the three-game series was not a fun one for the Wildcats. The Rebels got on the board quickly against Kentucky starting pitcher Jimmy Ramsey as they plated three runs in the first inning to take a quick 3-0 lead.

The middle innings saw more frustration after batter's interference was not called against Ole Miss right fielder Chase Cockrell after he made contact with Kentucky catcher Marshal Gei who was attempting to throw out a runner at second base.

This pushed Kentucky manager Nick Mingione over the edge as he was ejected from the game.

With all momentum on their side, the Rebels continued to pour it on as they took an 8-0 lead into the ninth inning.

The Cats were able to plate two runs in the ninth pushing their program streak of scoring at least one run in a game to 98. However, it was far too little as the Rebels took the 8-2 win in Game 1.

Game 2: UK 4, Ole Miss 1

After rain postponed action, Saturday’s Game 2 was pushed back to Sunday as part of a doubleheader consisting of two seven-inning games.

For the first game of Sunday afternoon, Kentucky sent Mason Hazlewood to the mound for his first carer SEC start. The sophomore would not disappoint, as he threw 5.2 scoreless innings allowing just five hits and striking out three.

Unlike many games prior the Cats were able to provide Hazlewood with run support. In the top of the second inning, T.J. Collett drilled a solo home run to put Kentucky on top 1-0.

In the top of the third, the Cats extended their lead to 3-0 as Coltyn Kessler knocked in two runs with a two-out single to left field.

The Cats would not stop there as Dalton Reed delivered second Kentucky solo home run of the game to put Kentucky on top 4-1.

Four runs were more than enough to hold down the Rebels who would strike for one run to prevent being shut out, but could not complete the comeback as Kentucky picked up their third SEC win of the 2019 season.

Game 3: UK 4, Ole Miss 2

With the series on the line, the Wildcats sent ace Zack Thompson to the mound. Like Hazlewood, Thompson was dominant.

The star junior pitched six innings allowing just two runs and striking out eight.

Just like game one, it was Collett who put the Cats on the board first.

The Kentucky Designated Hitter crushed a three-run home run in the top of the fourth inning to break open the scoring as the Cats took a 3-0 lead.

The Cats would add on to their lead in the top of the fifth as Austin Schultz drilled a run-scoring double to left center putting the Cats on top 4-0.

Unlike the second game of the series, however, the Rebels fought back as Grae Kessinger delivered a two-run double in the bottom of the fifth to cut Kentucky’s lead to 4-2.

In the bottom of ninth Kentucky turned their young bullpen to close out the victory. Cole Daniels would not make things easy as he loaded the bases with one man out.

With Daniels struggling, Nick Mingione called on Daniel Harper to stop the bleeding. Harper would do just that recording two outs and clinching the series for Kentucky.

By winning two out of three this weekend, the Cats finished the road trip 4-4, as Mingione’s young ball club continued to show signs of growth.

With the road trip now complete, the Wildcats will return home to Kentucky Proud Park Tuesday where they will host a ranked Louisville Cardinals team for a rematch of an April 2nd battle that saw the Cardinals win by a score of 8-3 at Patterson Stadium.

That game can be watched on SEC Network and listened to on the UK Sports Radio Network.