Coach Mike Bianco and No.11 Ole Miss baseball were back in action Tuesday night and were looking to bounce back into the win column against Memphis.
This past weekend No.11 Ole Miss baseball (26-12) watched as a 5-game Rebels win streak came to a sudden halt. The Rebels picked up a decisive game-one win Friday night but because of bad weather were forced to play a shortened Sunday doubleheader. Ole Miss came up short in both games and gave the series to Kentucky. Coach Mike Bianco and the Rebels needed a win Tuesday night against Memphis (17-17) to get back on track and they found it.
Tuesday night, after 3 and a half scoreless innings the Rebels got on the board first with 4 runs in the bottom of the fourth to take the 4-0 lead. The Tigers responded with 1 run in the top of the fifth and 1 run in the top of the sixth to make it a 4-2 game headed into the seventh. In the bottom of the seventh the Rebels tacked on insurance with 1 run and behind shutdown pitching late the Rebels picked up the 5-2 win. OHT takes a look at the win by the numbers with some brief observations.
By The Numbers
Ole Miss Rebels
In the midweek win against Memphis there were 3 Rebels who combined for just 3 hits. Freshman Josh Hall led all Rebels at the plate going 1 for 2 with 1 RBI. Junior Cole Zabowski went 1 for 4 at the plate with 1 RBI while sophomore Anthony Servideo also went 1 for 4. Senior Tim Elko had 1 RBI.
On The Mound
Junior left-hander Zack Phillips drew the midweek start for coach Mike Bianco and the Rebels. Phillips went for 6.0 innings allowing 2 earned runs on just 3 hits. Phillips had 6 Ks and 2 BB with 1 WP and 1 HBP. Junior right-hander Houston Roth entered in the seventh and went for 0.1 inning allowing 1 hit with 1 BB.
Junior right-hander Austin Miller entered in the seventh and went for 1.2 innings allowing 0 hits with 2 Ks. Sophomore right-hand closer Parker Caracci entered in the ninth and finished out the night on the mound for the Rebels. Caracci allowed 0 hits with 1 K, 1 BB and 1 HBP. Phillips (4-1) picked up the win while Caracci earned his 7th save in 2019.
Observations
This was huge game for Ole Miss baseball coming off the series sweep to UK. The Rebels needed a win and they did it the absolute best way in defeating a foe on the literal diamond. While the Rebels found just 3 hits they managed a great baseball game on the field.
While most of us would have liked to have seen a Rebels blowout we were able to see a 5 run win on just 3 hits. The Rebels played good fundamental baseball and took advantage to Memphis miscues. Ole Miss baseball will need to continue to play smart as their schedule gets much tougher.
Coach Mike Bianco and No.11 Ole Miss baseball will be back in action this weekend as they travel to face No.23 Auburn in a three-game SEC series. First pitch for game-one is set for 6pm CT Thursday with games following Friday and Saturday. All three games can be seen via SECN+. Good luck to coach Bianco and the Rebels. Hotty Toddy!