Coach Mike Bianco and Ole Miss baseball were back in action Tuesday night as they faced the first of two midweek games this week.
No.10 Ole Miss baseball (9-3) was back in action Tuesday night as they faced Little Rock in the first of two midweek games for the Rebels this week. The Rebels entered the midweek matchup coming off a series sweep of Long Beach State. Tuesday night the Rebels faced the Little Rock Trojans (2-10). Despite Little Rock’s overall record the Trojans gave the Rebels all they wanted thru nine innings in Oxford.
In game-one of the midweek the Rebels got off to a strong start and amassed a 6-0 lead after 2 innings. The Rebels added a run in the bottom of the fourth to take a 7-0 lead in the game. Little Rock battled back with 4 runs in the top of the fifth to cut the Rebels lead to 7-4. The Rebels added 4 runs in the bottom of the seventh to extend their lead to 11-4. The Trojans rallied in the ninth scoring 4 runs to bring the game to 11-8 but couldn’t close out and Ole Miss picked up their ninth win of the season.
Game 1, 11-8 W
Ole Miss Rebels
Against Little Rock Tuesday night there were 8 Rebels who combined for 13 hits with 4 Rebels recording multiple hit games. Leading all Rebels at the plate was sophomore Tyler Keenan who went 3 for 5 with 4 RBI.
Junior Grae Kessinger, senior Ryan Olenek and sophomore Anthony Servideo all went 2 for 4 at the plate. Kessinger and Olenek each had 1 RBI while Servideo had 2 RBI in the game.
Junior Thomas Dillard went 1 for 2 at the plate while senior Jacob Adams went 1 for 3 with 1 RBI. Junior Cole Zabowski went 1 for 4 with 1 RBI. Sophomore Carl Gindl also went 1 for 4 at the plate.
On the mound sophomore left-hander Jordan Fowler drew the start for the Rebels. Fowler went for 4.1 innings allowing 4 earned runs on 2 hits with 3 Ks and 1 BB.
Sophomore right-hander Max Cioffi entered in the fifth and went for 3.2 innings. Cioffi allowed 0 earned runs on 5 hits with 7 Ks and 2 BB. Junior right-hander Ray Falk entered out of the bullpen and allowed 3 earned runs on 1 hit with 2 BB. Freshman right-hander Kaleb Hill entered in the ninth and allowed 1 earned run on 2 hits with 1 K.
Game 2, 3-2 L
Wednesday evening No.10 Ole Miss baseball squared off with No.14 East Carolina in their second midweek. The Rebels were stymied offensively and were looking at a ECU no hitter heading into the bottom of the ninth. The Rebels battled back within 1 run but couldn’t complete the rally for the win and fell to the Pirates 3-2.
In the second midweek game there were 2 Rebels who combined for 2 hits at the plate against a very good ECU pitching staff. Junior Thomas Dillard and sophomore Tyler Keenan picked up hits against the Pirates staff. Dillard and Keenan both went 1 for 4 with Keenan picking up 2 RBI.
On the mound 3 Rebels pitchers recorded 12 Ks and allowed 3 earned runs on just 5 hits in the game. Freshman right-hander Doug Nikhazy drew the start on the hill for the Rebels and went for 5.0 innings allowing 3 earned runs on 4 hits with 7 Ks. Junior right-hander Austin Miller entered in the sixth and went 3.0 innings allowing O hits with 3 Ks and 1 BB. Senior right-hander Connor Green entered in the ninth and closed. Green went for 1.0 inning and allowed 1 hit with 2 Ks.
Coach Mike Bianco and Ole Miss baseball will be back in action Friday as they begin a three-game series at Swayze as they host UAB. First pitch is set for 3pm and the game can be seen on SECN+. Good luck to the Rebels. Hotty Toddy!