Summarize and humanize this content to 2000 words in 6 paragraphs in EnglishOle Miss baseball’s three-game series at Kentucky was a major change of pace from the past couple of weeks.The No. 10 Rebels (24-7, 8-4 SEC) won two of three games against the Wildcats (18-11, 5-7). All three were low-scoring, which was a big difference from how Ole Miss had been playing entering the weekend.Ole Miss entered the series averaging 11.5 runs per game in the seven previous games. The Rebels lost the first game against Kentucky 3-1 but bounced back with 3-1 and 5-4 victories. Here’s are some things we learned from the road trip:Ole Miss pitcher Riley Maddox returned to form in a big wayEntering the series, Saturday starter Riley Maddox had been on an extended cold streak. Maddox lasted just 1⅓ innings in his previous start against Florida and had an 8.57 ERA when he took the hill in Lexington in the second game of the seriesMaddox was brilliant against the Wildcats. The senior allowed four hits over five innings and did not allow an earned run. Maddox struck out six batters and walked one. He threw 87 pitches, which was a season high.When the Ole Miss offense needs a big hit, look to Luke HillAfter largely carrying Ole Miss to a superb start and No. 10 ranking, the Rebels bats were quiet against Kentucky. Ole Miss scored a combined 12 runs in the series, three of which came in extra innings.Even though the Rebels weren’t dominating, Ole Miss got the timely hits to squeak out two wins. Infielder Luke Hill was a big piece of the equation.Hill, a junior transfer from Arizona State, hit the game-winning two-run home run in the top of the 12th inning in the last game of the series on Saturday. He had five RBIs in the series, which was 42% of the team’s RBIs.MORE: How AD Keith Carter celebrated Chris Beard staying with Ole Miss basketballOle Miss is a formidable opponent other SEC teamsThe Rebels have a 16-3 record against non-SEC opponents. Through three conference series, Ole Miss has proven it can keep up the strong play against better competition.After winning one of three games against No. 2 Arkansas to start SEC play, the Rebels have won three consecutive conference series. Ole Miss swept Missouri and took two out of three against Florida and Kentucky.It is the first time Ole Miss has won three consecutive SEC series since 2018, when the Rebels beat Tennessee, Texas A&M and Arkansas.Although Missouri, Florida and Kentucky are all unranked, and a matchup with No. 1 Tennessee is the next series, it’s an impressive start to conference play for the Rebels, who were picked to finish 15th out of 16 teams in the SEC preseason poll.Sam Hutchens covers Ole Miss for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at Shutchens@gannett.com or reach him on X at @Sam_Hutchens_
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