Ole Miss baseball was coming off a huge season opening win over Winthrop when they took the field Saturday night in Oxford.
In what was supposed to be an afternoon game Ole Miss baseball took the field Saturday night against Winthrop for game 2. The extra time did nothing to weaken the momentum which Ole Miss hitting was bringing to the second game. Of course, the Rebels were coming off a 13 hit performance in game one. Saturday night the Rebels combined for 14 hits. So far this season the offense is on fire.
Saturday night the Rebels didn’t waste much time getting busy. After a huge second inning the Rebels led 4-0 heading into the 3rd. The Rebels maintained that lead until the 6th when they added 2 more runs to make the lead 6-0. Ole Miss then added 1 run in the 7th and led 7-0 headed to the 8th inning. Winthrop got on the board in the top and Ole Miss added another insurance run in the bottom. Winthrop couldn’t come back in the 9th and Ole Miss baseball gained the 8-1 victory.
HIGHLIGHTS | Ole Miss defeats Winthrop 8 - 1 (02/17/18) #WAOM #FinsUpRebels pic.twitter.com/q1y2gisn4u
— Ole Miss Baseball (@OleMissBSB) February 18, 2018
It’s really great to see this Ole Miss baseball team begin its season strong by securing the opening series. So far this opening weekend we’ve seen what we can expect this season. With just a few exceptions we’ve liked what we’ve seen so far. Besides a strong offensive showing we’ve also see some great pitching. Lets look at the stats from the game and see where we are.
On The Mound
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There was little doubt in the pitching staff coming into the 2018 season. Of course, after watching the 12 K performance from Ryan Rolison Friday night we were excited to see more. Coach Mike Bianco gave the Saturday start to junior right-hander Brady Feigl. Feigl pitched 6 complete innings and gave up no runs on 6 hits. Feigl has 6 Ks while allowing 1 walk. Brady Feigl earned the win on the mound.
Sophomore right-hander Greer Holston entered the game in the 7th inning. Holston went for 2 complete innings striking out 2 Eagles batters. Holston also allowed a walk.
Closing in the 9th was red-shirt sophomore Parker Caracci who made his first 2 career Ks as a Rebels pitcher. The Rebels pitching trio combined for 10 Ks on the night and allowed only 1 unearned run. Of course, the Rebels pitching staff can be expected to have success when the Rebels also hit well.
At The Plate
In game two against Winthrop there were 9 Rebels hitters who combined for 8 runs on 14 hits. When you consider the Friday evening performance at 13 hits, this Rebel batting order is on fire. Of course, there were a few lineup changes but overall this roster as a whole is hitting very well with 27 hits in their first two games of 2018.
Leading all Rebels on the night was junior Chase Cockrell who was 3 for 3 at the plate. Cockrell also scored 2 runs. Cockrell made his first start of the season. Other Rebels who made first starts and showed up at the plate were freshman Tim Elko and sophomore Cole Zabowski. Elko went 1 for 3 with 1 RBI and he scored a run. Zabowski had a huge night going 2 for 4 with 4 RBI and 2 runs scored. Zabowski had a 3 run homer in the game.
Junior Ryan Olenek went 2 for 4 at the plate with a run scored. Sophomore Grae Kessinger was 2 for 5 in the game. Senior Will Golsan and junior Nick Fortes were both 1 for 5 at the plate. Golsan added an RBI and Fortes had a run scored. Freshman Michael Spears hit 1 for 1 and with a RBI in a pinch hit situation. Red-shirt junior Michael Fitzsimmons went 1 for 1 in a pinch hit situation as well.
Up Next
The way the Rebels are playing we don’t want to have to wait long to see them play again. Luckily Ole Miss baseball will be facing the Winthrop Eagles one more time. Of course, the Rebels will be going for the sweep today in the final game of the series. Good luck to coach Mike Bianco and the Rebels. First pitch from Swayze Field will be at 2pm CT and can be seen on SEC Network+. Hotty Toddy!