Ole Miss baseball fans, including myself, have been disappointed with the lack of offensive output over the past two weeks. Rest easy Rebel nation, baseball is more than just hitting. When will the old bats show back up? Ole Miss doesn’t have to wait long to find out, as they go for the Paladin sweep this afternoon in Oxford.
Baseball is a game of swat and swing. Each game literally hinges on the ability to dominate the plate and the ability to seize momentum and maintain it. Those of us intimately attached to the game, can see where those two things have been a problem for Ole Miss baseball recently. Add to that, a couple of distractions which sidelined two team captains, well it’s a recipe for disaster.
After splitting two games early in the week, Furman came to Oxford Friday with intentions of taking down a ranked Ole Miss baseball team twisted in turmoil. Sometimes, appearances from the outside can be very deceiving. This Rebel team is tough enough to absorb a few tough losses and find it’s way back. Behind the pitching clinic put on by David Parkinson Friday, the Rebels took the first game 2-0.
Feigl Continues To Shine
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Game two would prove to be more of the same from Rebel slingers, with Brady Feigl on the mound. Feigl (2-1), would continue to show why Ole Miss baseball has one of the top pitching corps in the nation. Feigl would go 8.0 scoreless innings, his longest stretch on the hill in his young Rebel career, chalking up 10 Ks with only 2 hits and a freebie to 1st. Closing ace Will Stokes, would come on in relief at the 9th and hold onto the shutout
Gotta Love These Numbers!
According to OleMissSports.com, Ole Miss starting pitchers, combined against Furman thru the first two games, have recorded 16 innings of work, tallying 19 strikeouts and given up only 4 hits and 1 bob. Of course, we all know skipper Mike Bianco believes in a strong pitching staff. Throughout his career as Ole Miss baseball head coach, Bianco has recruited and developed some of the best pitchers in the nation, sending 37b pitchers to the next level. Thankfully, Rebel pitching has saved us when the wood fell silent.
Ole Miss Baseball Is More Than Just Pitching
As I said earlier, it has been disappointing to see the hitting slump Rebel batters have found themselves in. However, Saturday’s match-up with Furman, in game two of the series would show how resilient Rebel hitters are. Michael Fitzsimmons would crank up the Rebels early and set the pace for the box, powering a two run shot out in the 2nd. Even though Fitzsimmons would finish the day at the plate 1 of 3, but his presence the plate is becoming an eye opener.
The other Ole Miss hitters were limited to only 3 hits on the day but made it away with 5 runs, only leaving two runners stranded in the contest.
Tate Blackman and Colby Bortles combined to go 2-5 at the plate with Blackman adding an RBI. It can be expected we see more of the same today from the Kings Of Swing. Of course, with Ole Miss baseball facing Furman for the sweep, we can be sure to see more patience at the plate and definitely see some showers in the outfield lounge. ARE YOU READY?
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