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Ole Miss Baseball: No.3 Rebels Split Doubleheader With Miss State

By Daniel Skipper

Omaha, NE - JUNE 26: Baseball fans gather outside TD Ameritrade Park prior to game one of the College World Series Championship Series, between the LSU Tigers and the Florida Gators on June 26, 2017 in Omaha, Nebraska. (Photo by Peter Aiken/Getty Images)
Omaha, NE - JUNE 26: Baseball fans gather outside TD Ameritrade Park prior to game one of the College World Series Championship Series, between the LSU Tigers and the Florida Gators on June 26, 2017 in Omaha, Nebraska. (Photo by Peter Aiken/Getty Images) /
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No.3 Ole Miss baseball was tasked with having to face the Miss State Bulldogs in a doubleheader Saturday at Dudy-Noble in Starkville.

After Friday’s game was moved to Saturday because of inclement weather, No.3 Ole Miss baseball (27-6, 7-5) found itself in a doubleheader with Miss State (17-16, 4-8). The Rebels were coming off a huge blowout win over Memphis while the Bulldogs were coming off a midweek win over Southern University. Under a gloomy sky and in chilly temps the Rebels and Bulldogs met in game-one.

The Rebels jumped on the board first with 2 runs in the top of the 1st. Miss State responded in the bottom of the frame to cut the Rebels lead to 2-1. The Bulldogs added 1 run in the bottom of the 2nd to tie the game 2-2. However, the Bulldogs exploded with 8 runs in the bottom of the 3rd to take a 10-2 lead. The Bulldogs weren’t done scoring and added 3 more runs in the bottom of the 5th to extend the lead to 13-2. The Rebels managed to add 1 run in the top of the 6th to cut the lead to 13-3.

The Rebels struggled on the mound and at the plate in game-one and the end result was a blowout loss. Of course, the game-one loss was devastating but we’ve seen the Rebels bounce back in series after losing the first game. Naturally we’ll look at the game-one loss by the numbers.

Game-One By The Numbers

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Coach Mike Bianco made a surprise move with the starters for games one and two. Instead of Ryan Rolison making the game-one start junior Brady Feigl (6-2, 3.09) got the nod. Feigl went 2.1 innings and allowed 5 earned runs on 5 hits. Feigl had 2 Ks and 2 BB. Mike Bianco made the call in the 3rd and sophomore Greer Holston (1-0, 4.58) took the mound. Holston went 2.1 innings and allowed 3 earned runs on 7 hits. Holston had 1 K and 1 BB. Bianco once again made the call and freshman Max Cioffi entered. Cioffi went 3.1 innings and allowed no runs on just 2 hits. Cioffi had 1 K and 2 BB.

Game-One At The Plate

The Rebels struggled to produce offensively in game-one. In total only 5 Rebels produced just 5 hits. Sophomores Cooper Johnson (1.96, 2 HR), Cole Zabowski (.333, 7 HR) and Thomas Dillard (.325, 7 HR) all went 1 for 3 at the plate. Dillard had 1 RBI. Juniors Nick Fortes (.283, 7HR) and Ryan Olenek (.376, 1 HR) both went 1 for 4. Fortes had 2 RBI. This game was ugly for the Rebels and set the tone for the entire series. Could the Rebels bounce back like we’ve seen them do all season?

Game-Two

45 minutes after the completion of game-one the Rebels and Bulldogs squared off for game-two. After a scoreless 1st frame the Rebels got on the board first with 2 runs in the top of the 2nd. The Bulldogs answered in the bottom of the 3rd with 1 run to cut the lead to 2-1. Ole Miss then added 2 more runs in the top of the 4th to extend the lead to 4-1. The Rebels added 2 more runs in the top of the 5th to push the lead to 6-1. Miss State couldn’t rally and the Rebels won 6-1.

Game-two was a completely different animal for Ole Miss baseball. Behind solid pitching from Rolison and major offensive production the Rebels were able to get the win and even the series. Of course, Ole Miss would have their hands full with Miss State on Sunday but we look at game-two by the numbers.

Game-Two By The Numbers

Sophomore Ryan Rolison (4-3, 3.28) drew the game-two start on the hill for the Rebels. Rolison was outstanding for 7.0 innings of work allowing just 1 earned run on 6 hits. Rolison had 9 Ks and 2 BB. Will Ethridge (1-0, 3.27, 2) entered in the 8th and pitched 2.0 innings allowing no runs on just 1 hit. Ethridge had 4 Ks against 7 State batters.

Game-Two At The Plate

In game-two the Rebels came out swinging and producing. In total 8 Rebels combined for 14 hits and 4 Rebels had multiple hit games. Leading all Rebels were juniors Nick Fortes (.283, 7 HR) and Ryan Olenek (.376, 1 HR) who both went 3 for 5. Each had 1 RBI. Junior Chase Cockrell (.375, 3 HR) went 2 for 4 at the plate and had 1 RBI. Freshman Tyler Keenan (.342, 4 HR) went 2 for 5 and added 1 RBI.

Next: Season Predictions!

Other Rebels producing at the plate were junior Jacob Adams (.286, 2 HR) and sophomore Cole Zabowski (.333, 7 HR) who both went 1 for 4. Adams had 2 RBI. Senior Will Golsan (.244) and sophomore Grae Kessinger (.309, 1 HR) both went 1 for 5. Ole Miss baseball proved again the combination of great pitching and offensive production is the key to winning games. Of course the Rebels would have to deal with the Bulldogs again Sunday. Hotty Toddy!

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