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Ole Miss Baseball: Rebels Drop Series At #8 LSU, Ark-Pine Bluff Up Next

By Daniel Skipper

Jun 24, 2016; Omaha, NE, USA; Baseball before the contest between the Texas Tech Red Raiders and Coastal Carolina Chanticleers in the 2016 College World Series at TD Ameritrade Park. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 24, 2016; Omaha, NE, USA; Baseball before the contest between the Texas Tech Red Raiders and Coastal Carolina Chanticleers in the 2016 College World Series at TD Ameritrade Park. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports /
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Saturday’s rubber game was both a thrill-ride and heartbreaking for Ole Miss baseball fans. With 2 away and the tying runner on base, a great catch by the LSU 2nd baseman ended the game in a 3-2 decision.

After a 15-2 game-1 blowout Thursday night, Ole Miss baseball bounced back with power hitting Friday to even the series with a 4-1 win. Avoiding the sweep was paramount to the Rebels and gave the Rebels momentum going into Saturday’s rubber game.

The Rebels (22-14, 7-8) were hoping to improve their SEC record with a win, however the Rebels fell short in their attempt to steal the road series from the #8 ranked LSU Tigers. Once again, the game came down to a defensive slug-fest, with the Tigers ending a late Ole Miss rally to capture the 3-2 win.

Ole Miss baseball has received its fair share of criticism. However, this team is a pretty good team who happened to be up against a great team in LSU. According to OleMissSports.com, Ole Miss is now 12-8 against nationally ranked teams. When we consider those teams, Ole Miss has potential. When you also consider, the offensive production against a SEC West rival like #8 LSU. The Rebels are getting better. Lets look at Saturday’s game.

On The Mound

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Freshman left-hander Ryan Rolison drew the start on the hill. Rolison (4-2, 2.19) went 5.1 innings on the rubber, allowing 2 earned runs on 8 hits, while throwing 5 Ks.

West Lauderdale stand-out Will Stokes (1-0, 2.89) got the call in the 6th. Stokes went 1.2 innings while striking out 2 Tiger batters.Dallas Woolfolk finished out the game on the mound in the 8th.

What should be realized by Rebel faithful? This pitching staff completely controlled the last two games of the LSU series. Of course, Mike Bianco is a pitching guru.

Ole Miss baseball fans can expect to see more mound control from Bianco and his staff. LSU is by far, one of the better overall hitting teams Ole Miss will face this season.

At The Plate

Against a pretty stingy LSU pitching staff, Ole Miss batters were able to tally 8 hits on the day. Tate Blackman (.273) was 1 for 4  at the plate, knocking a solo shot inn the 3rd for his third HR of the series. Nick Fortes (.317) would knock in the other Rebel RBI in the 7th, going 1 for 3 on the day.

Will Golsan (.283) was 2 for 4 on the afternoon, while Ryan Olenek (.279), Colby Bortles (.261), and Cole Zabowski (.256) all had 1 for 4 days in the box. Oxford native Grae Kessinger  was 1 for 3 at the plate.

Ole Miss is beginning to find its way out of the slump which has burdened them lately. It’s obvious Tate Blackman is back to hitting the ball like we have been used to in the past. However, it takes consistency in order for Ole Miss to have success in the SEC series coming up this weekend.

On Deck

Ole Miss will be hosting Arkansas-Pine Bluff in a midweek match-up. First pitch from Swayze Field will be at 6:30pm CT. The game will be aired on SECN+.

Are You Ready?

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