Coach Mike Bianco and No.6 Ole Miss baseball were back in action Monday in Arlington, Texas as they faced off against the No.9 Texas Longhorns.
Monday was the final day of the State Farm College Baseball Showdown and No.6 Ole Miss baseball (3-0) was undefeated in the three-day event. Saturday the Rebels took down No.10 TCU 7-3 and then followed it up Sunday with a 5-4 win over No.3 Texas Tech. The only thing between the Rebels and a showdown sweep was the No.9 Texas Longhorns (0-3).
Monday it was announced that the Ole Miss Rebels were ranked No.1 in the nation by Baseball America. The Rebels left no doubt with an 8-1 win over No.9 Texas and a showdown sweep over three top-10 teams in as many days.
The Rebels got on the board first with 1 run in the top of the first inning. Behind good pitching, by both teams, the score remained 1-0 Rebels through the top of the fifth inning. Texas tied the game at 1-1 in the bottom of the frame. The Rebels blew the game open with 4 runs in the top of the sixth to retake the lead at 5-1 and never looked back. The Rebels added 3 more runs in the top of the ninth and put the game at an 8-1 final. OHT takes a look at the sweep win by the numbers.
Game-three
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In the game-three win, there were 6 Rebels hitters who combined for 9 hits and 8 RBIs. Two Rebels had multiple-hit games. Leading all Rebels at the plate was Peyton Chatagnier who went 3 for 4 with 2 runs scored. Also with multiple-hits was Trey LaFleur who went 2 for 4 (1 HR) with 1 RBI and 1 run scored.
Jacob Gonzalez went 1 for 2 and had a sac fly with 2 RBIs and 2 runs scored. Kevin Graham went 1 for 4 with 2 RBIs and 1 run scored. Tim Elko went 1 for 4 with 1 run scored. Justin Bench went 1 for 4 with 2 RBIs. Hayden Dunhurst went 0-4 but had 1 RBI on a sac fly. Garrett Wood had 1 run scored as a pinch-runner.
On the mound, Derek Diamond (W, 1-0) got the start for coach Mike Bianco and the Rebels. Diamond went for 6.0 innings allowing 1 earned run on 4 hits with 8 Ks, 1 BB, and 1 HBP. Brandon Johnson entered in the seventh inning and went for 2.0 innings allowing only 1 hit with 3 Ks. Josh Mallitz pitched the ninth inning and allowed 0 hits with 2 Ks.
Coach Mike Bianco and the No.1 Ole Miss Rebels are off to a huge start and the season should be a great one. Ole Miss baseball will be back in action Wednesday evening when they face Arkansas State at Swayze Field in Oxford. First pitch is set for 4:00 pm CT.