Ole Miss Baseball: Rebels Slam Tide In 7-2 Game 1 Win, Game 2 Today

Ole Miss baseball is hosting Alabama at Swayze Field in a weekend SEC series. Ole Miss needed a big win against the worst team in the conference. The Crimson Tide came to Oxford with a record of 14-16, 2-7 and the only team below Ole Miss in the SEC.

An unbeaten 7-0 record seems forever ago for many Ole Miss baseball fans. “We will be playing to avoid being the worst team in the SEC,” said no Rebel fan a month ago. Yet, here we literally are. After suffering a sweep at home to the Miss State Bulldogs, Ole Miss needed a huge win and they found it Friday night in a 7-2 win over the Crimson Tide.

Ole Miss (18-12, 4-6) was coming off a huge mid-week win against in-state rival USM. This weekend’s series could mean separating ourselves from the absolute bottom of the SEC. However, just one game is not enough. Ole Miss needs the series sweep. After throttling Bama Friday night, it’s much easier to conceive, taking the series or even the sweep.

On The Mound

More from Ole Miss Baseball

As bad as it sounds, statistically, Bama matches up well with Ole Miss. The Crimson Tide came into Friday’s game hitting .276 as a team. The Tide can hit the ball and have three players batting above the .300 threshold.

However, Alabama hitters had to deal with a stingy Rebel pitcher in the dominant sophomore right-hander James McArthur (2-1, 1.85). McArthur tossed 7.0 innings of work, giving up only 1 earned run while while allowing just 2 hits. He had 7 Ks on the night, although he did give up 3 walks.

In total, Coach Mike Bianco only used 2 pitchers on the night. Will Ethridge (1-2, 2.93) would take the mound in the 8th and allow 1 unearned run in the 9th. Will, gave up 3 hits while striking out 3 Tide batters. He did give up one walk.

In The Box

Ole Miss baseball has had a few issues with consistent and effective hitting. On more than one occasion, we’ve left runners on base, and the inability to score has cost us games. By my count, last night Ole Miss only stranded 5 runners. Offensively, it looks like Ole Miss batters are finding a rhythm. In fact, Friday night they lit up Tide pitchers, scoring 7 runs on 9 hits.

Pinch-hitter Tim Rowe (.295) had a great night at the plate going 2 for 2. Rowe knocked in 2 RBIs and knocked a homer (2) in the 6th. Ryan Olenek (.289) continues to be an effective hitter. Accordingly, Ryan was 2 for 4 on the night with an RBI. Nick Fortes (.268) would go 1 for 3 while hitting his first homer as a Rebel. Colby Bortles (.281) was 1 for 3 at the plate with 1 RBI. Tate Blackman (.262) went 0-4 on the night.

Game 2 Today

I have often thought, our hitters feed off of two players, Tate Blackman & Colby Bortles. In fact, there was a previous article on OHT about them earlier in the season. Accordingly, I believe they are the catalyst for this team offensively.

When they produce, we are lights out. Accordingly, I believe today they both come alive at the plate. As stated before, Ole Miss is beginning to find a rhythm in the batting order. Consistency is the key to getting another big win in Game 2 against the Tide and securing the series.

David Parkinson (4-2, 2.79) starts today on the rubber for the Ole Miss Rebels. According to OleMissSports.com, Parkinson has pitched a total of 42 innings of work in 7 starts, while throwing 44 Ks. Of course, expect Parkinson to continue his outstanding performance on the mound this afternoon.

Although, today is the Grove Bowl, which kicks off at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium at 11am, today’s baseball game against the Crimson Tide will follow shortly thereafter. First pitch from Swayze Field will be at 3pm CT and will be televised on SECN+.

Are You Ready?

Home/Ole Miss Baseball