Coach Mike Bianco and No.11 Ole Miss baseball were back in action Saturday night as they faced No.5 Miss State in game-two of the weekend series.
No.11 Ole Miss baseball (32-19, 15-11) was back in action Saturday night as they faced off against No.5 Miss State (41-10,17-9) in game-two of the three game SEC series. The Rebels entered the game-two matchup coming off a 2-0 Friday night game-one loss to the Bullies and were looking for a game-two win to even the series.
Ole Miss got on the board first with 2 runs in the bottom of the first to take the early 2-0 lead. After a scoreless second inning the Bulldogs cut into the Rebels lead with 1 run in the top of the third to make it a 2-1 game. Miss State then tied the game at 2-2 with 1 run in the top of the fourth.
Ole Miss retook the lead at 3-2 with 1 run in the bottom of the fifth. The Rebels then added 1 run in the bottom of the sixth to make it a 4-2 game. The top of the seventh was the killer for the Rebels as they gave up 6 runs and the lead at 8-4. The Rebels managed 1 run to make it an 8-5 game but couldn’t rally giving Miss State the 8-5 series win. OHT looks at the game by the numbers.
By The Numbers
Ole Miss Rebels
In the 8-5 game-two loss there were 7 Rebels who combined for 8 hits. Leading all Rebels at the plate was junior Cole Zabowski who went 2 for 4 with 2 RBI. Junior Thomas Dillard went 1 for 2 at the plate while freshman Kevin Graham went 1 for 3.
Sophomore Tyler Keenan and junior Cooper Johnson each went 1 for 4 with Johnson knocking in 1 RBI. Senior Jacob Adams also went 1 for 4 while junior Grae Kessinger went 1 for 5. Freshman Josh Hall had 1 RBI.
On the mound freshman left-hander Doug Nikhazy drew the expected start for the Rebels. Nikhazy went for 6.0 innings allowing 2 earned runs on 4 hits with 5 Ks, 3 BB, 1 WP and 2 HBP. Junior right-hander Austin Miller entered in the seventh and went 0.0 inning allowing 4 earned runs on 3 hits with 1 BB.
Mike Bianco went to the bullpen in the seventh and right-hand closer Parker Caracci entered. Caracci went for 1.0 inning allowing 2 earned runs on 2 hits with 1 K and 1 BB. Junior right-hander Tyler Myers entered in the eighth and went for 0.2 inning allowing 1 hit with 1 K and 1 BB.
Freshman left-hander Kaleb Hill entered in the eighth and went 0.2 inning allowing no hits. Senior right-hander Connor Green finished out the night on the mound going 0.2 inning and allowing no hits with 1 K.
Coach Mike Bianco and No.11 Ole Miss baseball will be back in action Sunday as they attempt to avoid the sweep to No.5 Miss State. First pitch is set for 12pm CT and the game will be televised via ESPN2. Good luck to coach Bianco and the Rebels. Hotty Toddy!