Coach Mike Bianco and No.13 Ole Miss baseball were back in action in a midweek road matchup as they travelled to face Southern Miss.
Coach Mike Bianco and No.13 Ole Miss baseball (30-16) were back in action Wednesday night as they travelled to Hattiesburg to face Southern Miss (30-13). The Rebels entered the midweek matchup against the Golden Eagles coming off a SEC series sweep over No.6 Texas A&M and were looking to stay in the win column. USM wouldn’t allow it to happen.
After a scoreless first frame USM got on the board in the bottom of the second to take the early 1-0 lead. The Rebels got on the board in the top of the fourth to make it a 1-1 game but USM responded with 2 runs in the bottom of the inning to retake the lead at 3-1.
The Rebels evened the game at 3-3 with 2 runs in the top of the seventh but USM retook the 4-3 lead with 1 run in the bottom of the frame. USM added an insurance run in the bottom of the eighth to take the 5-3 win over the Rebels. OHT looks at the loss by the numbers and has some observations.
By The Numbers
Ole Miss Rebels
In the midweek loss there were 4 Rebels who combined for 5 hits. Leading all Rebels at the plate was junior Grae Kessinger who went 2 for 5 with 1 RBI. Sophomore Anthony Servideo went 1 for 4 with 1 RBI. Senior Ryan Olenek and junior Cole Zabowski each also went 1 for 4 at the plate.
On the mound junior left-hander Zack Phillips drew the start for coach Bianco and the Rebels. Phillips went for 4.0 innings allowing 3 earned runs on 5 hits with 3 Ks and 1 WP. Junior right-hander Houston Roth entered in the fifth and went for 2.0 innings allowing 0 earned runs on 1 hit with 2 Ks.
Sophomore right-hander Max Cioffi entered in the seventh and went for 0.0 inning allowing 1 earned run on 2 hits. Coach Bianco went to the bullpen and junior right-hander Tyler Myers took the hill. Myers went for 1.1 innings allowing 1 earned run on 1 hit with 2 Ks and 1 BB.
Sophomore left-hander Jordan Fowler entered in the eighth and went 0.1 inning allowing no hits with 1 K and 2 BB. Junior right-hander Taylor Broadway finished out the night on the hill for the Rebels going 0.1 inning allowing no hits with 1 K.
Observations
The Rebels have a great team on both sides of the ball but inconsistencies continue to plague them. The Rebels had obvious momentum coming off the sweep of No.6 TAMU but failed to continue in the midweek loss. Not taking anything away from USM but this was a game the Rebels gave away.
This was a game in which there should have been a win and the Rebels should have controlled the game. Stranding 9 Rebels runners on base is not how you win games. Coach Mike Bianco has a lot to figure out as the Rebels head into the regular season ending stretch. The competition doesn’t get any easier.
Coach Mike Bianco and No.13 Ole Miss baseball will be back in action this weekend as they travel down on the bayou to face the No.9 LSU Tigers in a three-game series. First pitch for game-one from Baton Rouge is set for 7pm Friday night and the game can be seen via SECN+. Good luck to coach Bianco and the Rebels. Hotty Toddy!