OXFORD, Miss — Kentucky's Nolan McCarthy delivered a standout performance at Oxford-University Stadium/Swayze Field, propelling the No. 15 Wildcats to a commanding 17-9 victory over the No. 22 Rebels and securing a 2-0 series lead. McCarthy's two home runs and six RBIs proved decisive as the Wildcats capitalized on errors by the Rebels, whose late-game rally fell short. Kentucky take the series 2-0.
The Rebels drew first blood with two runs in the bottom of the first. Luke Hill led off with a single, followed by an Andrew Fischer single. Jackson Ross singled to score Hill, while a fly ball to center by Ethan Lege scored Fischer. Ole Miss led 2-0 after the first.
After the first inning The Wildcat's bats heated up.
When Kentucky's Nolan McCarthy entered the game as center fielder, he made a significant impact, contributing one home run and three RBIs as the Wildcats took the lead with six unanswered runs over four innings. Despite this, the Rebels staged a rally in the bottom of the fourth inning.
After Ethan Lege walked and Ethan Groff singled to commence the bottom of the fourth, Bo Gatlin grounded out but the effort gave Lege the opportunity to run home. Treyson Hughes then roped an RBI single to get Groff home. The Ole Miss bats refused to cool off. Eli Berch singled, and Brayden Randle doubled to score Hughes. Hill lofted a pop-fly out to right to score Berch. Ole Miss cut Kentucky's lead to 7-6 after the stellar inning.
However, McCarthy's impressive performance continued, as he dashed any hopes of a Rebel comeback with a crucial three-run homer in the top of the sixth inning. McCarthy ended the game with two home runs and six RBIs.
“You gotta tip your hat to him, obviously a really, really good day,” Ole Miss head coach, Mike Bianco said.
The Rebels struggled defensively, committing six errors throughout the game, which ultimately proved too much to overcome. The Wildcats emerged victorious with a final score of 17-9, securing a commanding 2-0 series lead.
“You get beat up, you gotta continue to play the game," Bianco said. "All the way around we have to play tougher.”
The Rebels (18-10, 3-5 SEC) and the Wildcats (23-4, 7-1) play again on Sunday at 1:30 p.m.