Ole Miss Baseball: McArthur, Rebels Bomb No.10 Hogs 9-1, Double-Header Today

While most Rebel fans were paying attention to the 2017 NFL Draft selections, Ole Miss baseball was on an Arkansas bombing raid. The Rebels blew up in the box and delivered a 9-1 beat-down to the No.10  Arkansas Razorbacks in Fayetteville.

It’s no big secret Ole Miss baseball has been in an offensive slump. I’ve been talking about it since the team returned from the Shriner’s Hospital For Children College Classic in Houston. Although Rebel pitching has pretty much been lights out, Ole Miss has struggled to find ways to win games. Offense wins baseball games.

Yesterday evening Ole Miss found offense and lots of it. Against Hog ace Blaine Knight, Rebel batters started early with Tim Rowe blasting a 2 run shot and really never looked back. The Hogs did manage to add an HR themselves in the 3rd and then the bombing really began. Tate Blackman blasted his own 2 run shot while Colby Bortles would blast two 2-run shots as well.

All total the Ole Miss Rebels would account for 11 hits against a very stout Arkansas pitching staff. Of course, 4 of the 11 were shots over the wall. Will Ole Miss baseball keep up the offensive charge alive today in the double-header? We have to wait and see. However, it couldn’t set up better for a hot hitting team. For now, let’s look at last night’s stats.

On The Mound

More from Ole Miss Baseball

• Ole Miss baseball standout Grae Kessinger called up to majors, will play for Astros
• Ole Miss Baseball wraps up season with series loss against Alabama
• Ole Miss Baseball officially eliminated from postseason contention
• Ole Miss Baseball nightmare season continues but the Rebels aren’t dead yet
• Ole Miss Baseball: Rebels beat Mizzou in wild 20-14 shootout, drop series

The offensive explosion be Rebel batters may have somewhat overshadowed a magnificent performance by Freshman right-hander James McArthur. McArthur (3-3, 3.08) went 8 innings and gave up only 1 hit, while etching out 6 K and 2 walks.

According to OleMissSports.com, McArthur retired 12 of his first 13 batters faced and would complete the night retiring 25 of 27.

Will Ethridge (1-2, 2.34) closed out the game with a shutdown inning of work on the rubber. Ethridge would allow 1 hit in the 9th, but kept them scoreless while striking out 1 Razorback hitter.

This Bianco pitching staff has turned out to be one of the best parts of Ole Miss baseball this season. With this pitching staff, the Ole Miss Rebels could go deep into post season play. However, it requires help from the offense. The mound got help from the box last night.

In The Box

Please don’t let your State College friends make you think last night was a fluke. This Rebel team can hit. That has never even been a question. However, we had been waiting for this kind of SEC slugging show since conference play began. It finally showed up last night.

Rebel hitters accounted for 11 hits against the Hogs, with 3 Rebels having multiple hits. Statistically, Tim Rowe (.293) led all hitters with a 3 for 3 night at the plate, with an HR. Rowe was also responsible for knocking in 3 RBIs and scoring a run.

Colby Bortles (.280) was 2 for 5 on the night with 2 HRs and 4 RBIs. Will Golsan (.307) also went 2 for 5 while scoring 2 runs. Tate Blackman (.274) was 1 for 4 in the box, while belting a HR and 2 RBIs. Ryan Olenek (.275) and Nick Fortes (.300) were both 1 for 5 with each Rebel scoring runs. Cooper Johnson (.176) also got in on the action going 1 for 4.

Offensively, the Rebels may have broken out of their hitting woes last night. Consistent offensive production is key to winning any game, but especially important against SEC pitching staffs. The Rebels hope to continue their up swing at the plate today. I expect more Blackman and Bortles and remember, hitting is contagious.

Double-Header Today

With severe weather moving into the Fayetteville area late tonight, tomorrows series finale was moved up to the second game today. First pitch will be at 12pm CT today with the second game beginning 40 minutes after the conclusion of the first game. Although game 2 of the series was originally scheduled to be nationally televised on the SEC Network, it will now be available on SECN+ and the Watch ESPN app. Radio broadcast will be available thru the Ole Miss IMG Sports Network.