No.5 Ole Miss baseball was back in action Friday night as they hosted the Auburn Tigers in game-two of the huge weekend SEC series.
Ole Miss baseball (38-13, 15-11) was entering game-two coming off a huge game-one win over Auburn (35-16, 13-13) on Thursday night. The Rebels were hoping to take game-two and the series with a win Friday night. However, the Rebels would be facing Auburn’s pitching ace Casey Mize.
The Rebels jumped out front early scoring 3 runs in the bottom of the 2nd inning. Auburn got on the board with 1 run in the top of the 4th to cut the Rebels lead to 3-1 however the Rebels responded with 2 runs in the bottom of the frame to extend the lead to 5-1.
The Rebels then added runs in the bottom of the 5th, 6th and 7th innings to push the lead to 8-1. Auburn added a run in the top of the 8th and a run in the 9th to cut the lead to 8-3 but couldn’t rally any further. Ole Miss baseball secured the 8-3 win.
HIGHLIGHTS | Ole Miss defeats Auburn 8 - 3 (Game 2) 05/11/18 #WAOM #FinsUpRebels pic.twitter.com/eI9pOwXpgY
— Ole Miss Baseball (@OleMissBSB) May 12, 2018
Clinching the series over Auburn was huge and especially considering the Rebels did it against Mize. While the top teams in the nation are jockeying for national seeds in the NCAA tourney the Rebels are exceeding expectations. Friday nights win put Ole Miss in a tie for first place in the SEC West with Arkansas and a sweep over No.16 Auburn could have major implications for both the SEC and NCAA tourneys. For now we look at the game-two win by the numbers.
By The Numbers
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Junior right-hander Brady Feigl (8-4, 4.18) took the regular game-two start for the Rebels on the hill. Feigl went for 8.0 innings and allowed 3 earned runs on 9 hits. Feigl had 12 Ks and 1 BB. Coach Mike Bianco made the call in the 9th and sophomore right-hander Greer Holston entered the game. Holston went 1.0 innings and allowed 2 hits while chalking 2 Ks.
At The Plate
In game-two against really good Auburn pitching the bats were awake. On the night there were 7 Rebels who combined for 13 hits while 4 Rebels had multiple hit games at the plate. Freshman Tyler Keenan (.314, 6 HR) went 3 for 4 (HR) with 4 RBI. Sophomore Thomas Dillard (.315, 11 HR) also went 3 for 4 at the plate with 1 RBI.
Sophomore Cole Zabowski (.314, 7 HR) and junior Chase Cockrell (.348, 8 HR) both went 2 for 4 (HR) in the box. Cockrell had 2 RBI. Senior Will Golsan (.290, 4 HR) went 1 for 3 at the plate. Sophomore Grae Kessinger (.302, 5 HR) and junior Nick Fortes (.293, 11 HR) both went 1 for 4 at the plate.
Up Next
No.5 Ole Miss baseball will be back in action today. The Rebels will go for the series sweep over the No.16 Auburn Tigers. First pitch for game-three from Swayze Field is set for 4pm CT and the game will be televised via SEC Network+. Good luck to coach Mike Bianco and the Rebels. BEAT THE WEAGLES! Hotty Toddy!