Preview: Kentucky Visits Mississippi in SEC Showdown

OXFORD, Miss. (Interstat) — Two of the Southeastern Conference’s hottest teams will clash Friday when the eighth-ranked Kentucky Wildcats visit the 14th-ranked Mississippi Rebels at Swayze Field.

First pitch is set for 6 p.m. under clear skies with a temperature near 63 degrees.

The Wildcats (18-2) enter with the nation’s best winning percentage, riding a 10-game win streak that includes a three-game sweep of Alabama last weekend. Mississippi (17-5) has won seven of its last eight, including a midweek victory over Austin Peay highlighted by a powerful offensive display.

Friday’s series opener features a marquee individual matchup. Kentucky will look to right-hander Nate Harris, who is coming off a dominant performance against Alabama on Sunday, allowing one hit and two earned runs over six innings with five strikeouts. In his last four starts, Harris has a 2.25 ERA with 21 strikeouts in 18 innings.

He will be opposed by a surging Rebels lineup, led by outfielder Tristan Bissetta. The slugger has six home runs and 14 RBIs in his last 10 games, including a two-homer, four-RBI game Tuesday. Bissetta is batting .405 (15-for-37) during that stretch.

Kentucky’s offense is averaging 8.2 runs per game during its win streak. Hudson Brown, who homered in Sunday’s win over Alabama, and designated hitter Tyler Bell have been key contributors.

Mississippi’s pitching staff will aim to cool them down after allowing just five runs combined in its last two victories. The Rebels’ bullpen has been strong, with relievers Owen Hancock and Owen Kelly combining for 4 1/3 scoreless innings Tuesday.

This series is a critical early conference test. According to Interstat’s game simulator, Friday’s contest projects as a high-scoring affair, with a predicted final of Kentucky 8, Mississippi 7.

The teams opened their three-game set Thursday night. Friday’s game will be followed by the series finale Saturday afternoon.