Kentucky defeated Ole Miss 3-1 on March 20, evening the baseball series at Swayze Field. The Wildcats scored three runs in the top of the fourth inning, which proved decisive in Friday night’s game.
The outcome is significant as both teams are competing for position in Southeastern Conference play. Kentucky improved its record to 19-3 overall and 4-1 in conference games, while Ole Miss fell to 18-6 and 2-3.
Kentucky’s three-run fourth inning was aided by two errors from Ole Miss and three hits. Hudson Calhoun started for the Rebels and recorded two outs before JP Robertson entered to finish the inning with a strikeout, leaving two runners stranded. Ole Miss’s best scoring opportunity came in the sixth inning when Austin Fawley hit a leadoff home run, but they left two more runners on base as the game moved into later innings.
In the ninth inning, Ole Miss managed to get two runners aboard through a hit by pitch and a walk with two outs but could not score. Kentucky’s pitching staff was effective throughout; starter Jaxon Jelkin pitched seven innings, allowing one run on four hits with three walks and six strikeouts. Nile Adcock closed out the final two innings without giving up any runs or hits.
For Ole Miss, Calhoun pitched three and two-thirds innings with seven strikeouts, allowing only one earned run on three hits and three walks. Robertson followed with three and one-third scoreless innings, striking out four batters. Landon Waters finished for the Rebels with four strikeouts over two hitless innings.
Jelkin improved his record to 5-0 with the win for Kentucky, while Calhoun took his first loss of the season (now 1-1). Adcock earned his second save of the year. The Wildcats collected six hits compared to four for Ole Miss.
The teams will meet again Saturday at 1:30 p.m. for the series finale.
