Ole Miss Baseball: No.17 Rebels drop SEC series at No.23 Auburn

Coach Mike Bianco and No.17 Ole Miss baseball were back in action over the weekend as they travelled to face No.23 Auburn.

Coach Mike Bianco and No.17 Ole Miss baseball (27-14, 10-8) travelled down on the plains to face No.23 Auburn (26-14, 10-8) in a three-game weekend series. Last weekend the Rebels dropped an SEC series to an unranked Kentucky team but picked up a midweek win over Southern Miss. Coach Bianco and the Rebels were looking to boost their SEC record at Auburn. The Tigers would be a tough foe.

The Rundown

In game-one Thursday the Rebels got on the board first with 1 run in the top of the first. Auburn responded with 1 run in the bottom of the frame to make it a 1-1 game. The Rebels took a 4-1 lead with 3 runs in the top of the second but that would end their scoring. The Tigers added 2 runs in the bottom of the third to cut the Rebels lead to 4-3. The Tigers took a 5-4 lead with 2 runs in the bottom of the sixth and 1 run in the sixth and seventh to push the lead to 7-4 which was the final.

Friday in game-two the Rebels the Rebels scored first with 1 run in the top of the second. The Tigers made it a 1-1 game heading into the third. In the top of the third the Rebels added 2 runs to take a 3-2 lead. Auburn cut the Rebels lead to 3-2 with 1 run in the bottom of the fourth. The Rebels extended their lead to 4-2 with 1 run in the top of the six but Auburn responded with 1 run in the bottom of the frame to make it 4-3 game. The Rebels secured the 5-3 win with 1 run in the top of the ninth to even the series.

Game-three Saturday was a nail biter which would see extra baseball but the Rebels came up short. Ole Miss got on the board first in the top of the first to get an early 1-0 lead. Auburn had 3 runs in the bottom of the third and took the 3-1 lead. In the top of the fifth the Rebels added 2 runs to make it a 3-3 game. Auburn took a 4-3 lead in the bottom of the seventh but the Rebels evened the game at 4-4 in the top of the ninth to force extra baseball. The Rebels took a 5-4 lead in the top of the tenth but the Tigers scored 2 runs in the bottom to get the win. OHT looks at the series by the numbers.

By The Numbers

Ole Miss Rebels

Game-one

In game-one there were 7 Rebels who combined for 9 hits with 2 Rebels recording multiple-hit games. Leading all Rebels at the plate was junior Grae Kessinger who went 2 for 4 with 1 RBI. Sophomore Anthony Servideo went 2 for 5 with 1 RBI. Freshman Kevin Graham went 1 for 2 while senior Jacob Adams went 1 for 3. Junior Thomas Dillard went 1 for 4 with 1 RBI. Sophomore Tyler Keenan and junior Cole Zabowski also went 1 for 4 at the plate.

On the mound junior right-hander Will Ethridge drew the expected start. Ethridge went for 5.0 innings allowing 5 earned runs on 3 hits with 5 Ks and 4 BB. Ethridge also had 1 WP and 1 HBP. Junior right-hander Tyler Myers entered in the sixth and went 2.0 innings allowing 2 earned runs on 4 hits with 2 Ks. Senior right-hander Conner Green entered in the eighth and allowed no hits with 2 BB. Ethridge (5-3) picked up the loss.

Game-two

Friday in the game-two win there were 9 Rebels who combined for 11 hits with 2 Rebels recording multiple hit games. Leading all Rebels was sophomore Tyler Keenan (1HR) and freshman Kevin Graham who each went 2 for 3 and each had 1 RBI.

Senior Michael Fitzsimmons went 1 for 2 while freshman Josh Hall went 1 for 3 at the plate. Sophomore Anthony Servideo went 1 for 4 with 1 RBI. Junior Cooper Johnson and senior Jacob Adams also went 1 for 4. Juniors Cole Zabowski (1HR) and Grae Kessinger each went 1 for 5 with Zabowski knocking in 2 RBI.

Freshman left-hander Doug Nikhazy drew the expected start on the mound for coach Mike Bianco and the Rebels. Nikhazy went for 5.0 innings allowing 3 earned runs on 5 hits with 4 Ks and 3 BB. Junior right-hander Austin Miller entered in the sixth and went for 2.0 innings allowing no hits with 2 Ks and 1 BB. Right-hand closer Parker Caracci entered in the eighth and finished the win for the Rebels. Caracci went for 2.0 innings allowing just 1 hit with 4 Ks. Nikhazy (4-3) picked up the win while Caracci earned his 8th save of the season.

Game-three

Saturday in the series loss there were 4 Rebels who combined for 8 hits with 2 Rebels recording multiple hit games. Leading all Rebels at the plate was junior Grae Kessinger (2HR) who went 3 for 4 with 3 RBI. Sophomore Tyler Keenan went 3 for 5 with 1 RBI. Junior Cooper Johnson (1HR) went for 1 for 3 with 1 RBI while freshman Josh Hall also went 1 for 3 at the plate.

On the mound freshman right-hander Gunnar Hoglund drew the start. Hoglund went for 2.2 innings allowing 2 earned runs on 2 hits with 3 Ks and 2 BB. Sophomore right-hander Max Cioffi entered late in the third and went for 3.1 innings allowing no hits with 2 Ks and 1 HBP.

Junior right-hander Tyler Myers entered in the seventh and went 0.1 inning allowing 1 earned run on 1 hit. Coach Bianco went to the bullpen and junior right-hander Austin Miller took the hill. Miller we for 1.2 innings allowing 1 hit with 1 BB. Right-hand closer Parker Caracci entered in the ninth and finished the hill work for the Rebels. Caracci went for 1.2 innings allowing 0 earned runs on 3 hits with 3 Ks with 1 BB.

Coach Mike Bianco and Ole Miss baseball, who dropped to No.19, will be back in action Tuesday night as they face No.9 Mississippi State in Pearl for the Governors Cup. First pitch is set for 6pm and the game will not be televised. Good luck to coach Bianco and the Rebels. BEAT STATE! Hotty Toddy!