By Taylor Rayburn/TLV
The Ole Miss Rebels came into Friday trying to clinch the series versus rival Mississippi State after taking game one by a score of 4-3. The Rebels got in a slug-fest as both teams combined for thirty hits. Scoring came throughout the game for both teams but it was Rebels were able to outscore the opposition and take the game by a score of 13-10.
“It was a difficult night to pitch for everybody,” said Ole Miss Head Coach Mike Bianco. “It was one of those nights where the hitters seem to see the ball really well.”
The Rebels came out hot on the offensive end. Leading off was Connor Cloyd who reached first off of an overthrow by the State shortstop. Then the Bulldog’s pitcher overthrew first base and Cloyd advanced to second. After that Errol Robinson came up to the plate to the tune of “She thinks my tractor’s sexy” and hit a RBI single to send Cloyd home. Will Golsan then came in and singled. Then the big puma, the one, the only Sikes Orvis walked up to the plate and nailed a three run homer to center field.
“We knew if we came out and smacked them in the mouth right away, that would put us in a good opportunity to win,” said Orvis. “It’s fun, lot of runs, lot of hits and give the people what they want, it’s fun when everyone is hitting.”
After Austin Knight grounded out to third base, J.B. Woodman stepped to the plate and nailed a solo home run to right field. The Rebels ended up scoring six in the inning and took a 6-0. In most games six would get a win, but this was not like most games.
“Mississippi State is a tough team,” said Orvis. “No matter how many runs we put up they kept coming back.”
Just when the Rebels looked like they were going to run away with it, the seventh inning happened. Relief pitcher Mitchel Babb started the inning and gave up four hits and three runs. Then Will Stokes entered the game and pitched four balls, then was promptly taken out in favor of Jacob Waguespack. Waguespack gets two outs then throws a wild pitch and Mississippi State first baseman Wes Rea stole home. Waguespack would finish out the inning and give up no runs in the eighth to protect the Rebels lead.
“It happens, it’s just part of the game,” said Waguespack of the seventh inning. “It is good to come out and shut the door and get a good team win.”
It is a bit surprising when a team jumps out to a 6-0 lead in the first inning and there is still a save opportunity. However, that is what happened tonight. Wyatt Short came in the ninth inning and got the save. He gave up no hits and stuck one man out. He did all that with no rest, as he closed game one last night.
“I’ve done it a few times, last year and this year,” said Short on pitching back to back nights. “I thought we put them away in the first, but obviously they aren’t going to back down.”
With this win the Ole Miss Rebels move to 27-24 overall and 13-13 in SEC play. With staying over .500 being essential to Ole Miss making the NCAA tournament, the Rebels will take every win they can. This win also clinched the Rebels a place in the SEC tournament in Hoover, Alabama.
“At the end of the day it is a win, at the end of the day you wanna win,” said Bianco. “It would of been nice to win thirteen to three, but they’re not going to go away.”
The Ole Miss Rebels are back in action tomorrow. First pitch will be at 4PM central standard time. The Rebels will start Scott Weathersby as they go for the sweep.
