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Ole Miss Baseball: SEC Gauntlet Begins Today With #15 Vandy

By Daniel Skipper

Jun 18, 2016; Omaha, NE, USA; The UC Santa Barbara Gauchos warm up before the game against the Oklahoma State Cowboys in the 2016 College World Series at TD Ameritrade Park. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 18, 2016; Omaha, NE, USA; The UC Santa Barbara Gauchos warm up before the game against the Oklahoma State Cowboys in the 2016 College World Series at TD Ameritrade Park. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports /
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Ole Miss baseball begins it’s tough SEC schedule today in Oxford against Vanderbilt University. The #15 Commodores have become a perennial contender in college baseball, and visit the #14 Rebels for the opening SEC series for both teams.

The Ole Miss baseball team has had a wild spring thus far. And undefeated streak to open the season, ended with a midweek loss to Memphis. A trip west to the Shriners Hospital for Children College Baseball Classic pitted Ole Miss against three of the top teams in the nation. Ole Miss would return home 0-3 in the tourney.

Since returning from the Lone star state, the Rebels (12-5) have been on a mission. One they knew, would have to be completed before SEC play began. The Ole Miss baseball team had to end the 4 game skid they found themselves in returning to Oxford. We can say Rebel skipper Mike Bianco has done just that.

In the last 6 games, which have all been shutouts, the Rebels have won 5. The only loss coming to GSU, in the second game of a 2 game series, which ended in a 2-0 loss in the 11th inning.

In the last 4 games, against Furman and Nicholls, Ole Miss pitching was lights out and played a major part in the securing the 4 game win streak the Rebels are riding. Hitting, which has been dismal, seemed to finally come alive against Nicholls. However, that wasn’t against the tough SEC opponents The Rebels begin to face today.

Vandy Comes Calling

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As stated before, Vandy (12-6)is a really good team and will come into SEC play with as much to prove as the Rebels. A 12-6 start coming into SEC play is certainly not what Vandy had planned. But, when you look back over the losses which Vandy has given up, it’s easy to see they are having issues.

This is not the same Tim Corbin team which won the CWS in 2014 and it appears in their starting pitching rotation. For example, today the Dores will start Kyle Wright, Jr (0-2) who takes the mound with 5,40 ERA. According to VUCommodores.com, Wright has gone 20 innings in 4 appearances, striking out 24 hitters while also giving up 24 hits. Wright has also given up 2 HRs, 6 free trips, and has thrown 3 WPs.

Corbin’s starter selection has some of us scratching our heads, but it could be a great strategy. Wright is capable of controlling a game, but right now needs a confidence builder on his resume. What better way than against a Rebel team which is still finding it’s bats.

Ole Miss Baseball Is Pitching

Pitching, and especially young pitching, has been a highlight thus far in the 2017 season. Per OleMissSports.com, Rebel pitching is ranked in the top 5 nationally in five statistical categories. Apparently Ole Miss pitching leads the SEC in all five categories as well.

"Ole Miss pitching leads the SEC in opponent batting average (.185), saves (8), fewest hits allowed per nine innings (5.84), strikeout-to-walk ratio (4.35), strikeouts per nine innings (10.9) and WHIP (0.93). -OleMissSports.com"

Parkinson Gets Nod

David Parkinson, who was just named SEC Pitcher of the Week, will draw the start on the mound for the Rebels. Parkinson (3-1) comes into the game with a 2.52 ERA. Parkinson has pitched 25 innings, giving up 8 runs on 17 hits. David has struck out 26 batters, walked 5, and giving up 2 homers. Opposing batters have hit a bleak .198 against Parkinson.

Rebel fans can expect to see more of the same today. However, Vandy has some great hitters. Julian Infante is hitting an impressive .373, while Ro Coleman is hitting .303. Jeren Kendall is hitting .278 and leads Vandy in the HR category with 4 shots. Parkinson can handle this easily if he gets support in the field.

Ole Miss Must Hit The Baseball

Yeah, we can’t really ignore the facts. Hitting has been hard to watch this season, especially in the stretch between Memphis and Nicholls. Of course, the bats heated up the other night against Nicholls. Hopefully, Ole Miss baseball has found a way to keep the wood on fire.

Rebel fans are ready to see outfield suds shower down. It should happen today as the #15 Vanderbilt Commodores meet the #14 Ole Miss Rebels in Oxford at Swayze Field.

First pitch set for 7pm CT. The match-up will be televised on SECN+.

ARE YOU READY?

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