Offense was the story of the weekend as Ole Miss bounced back from a shocking midweek defeat to sweep the Florida Gators. Ole Miss won comfortably in the first two games with scores of 12-4 and 16-4. The sweep-clinching victory featured an eight-run comeback, a lightning delay, and runs galore. The Rebels brought the brooms out with a 12-10 victory. Ole Miss improves its record to 23-10 (8-4) with the sweep over No. 16 Florida.
First base: Grae Kessinger was a big reason for the offensive outburst.
The junior shortstop has always been a strength for Ole Miss defensively. However, his bat can disappear at times. This was not one of those weekends. Kessinger went 8-14 over the three games, including a perfect 5-5 during game two. He tallied six RBIs and 2 walks. Of the top-five in the lineup, Kessinger can become the forgotten man when Dillard, Olenek, Keenan and Zabowski get going. Even in a productive weekend by all the usual suspects, the shortstop shone above the rest.
Second Base: The legend of Tyler Myers continues to grow.
Will Ethridge had a premature exit after 3.2 innings on Friday night. The Rebels’ ace had only surrendered 2 runs, but he was dealing with a blister on his throwing hand and could not continue. Head Coach Mike Bianco turned to his in-form long relief pitcher Tyler Myers to not only get out of the fourth inning, but to eat innings to save the bullpen. The JUCO transfer did that and more.
Myers finished the final 5.1 innings of the game, improving his record to 2-0 on the season. His scoreless-inning streak ended, but he did what was asked of him. The offense offered him enough cushion to be relaxed and just pitch. His final line was 2 earned runs, zero walks, 4 strikeouts and 2 hits over those 5.1 innings. The only two hits given up by the junior were solo home runs. Once again, the Ole Miss coaching staff has unearthed another gem. Myers has quickly adapted to his role.
Third Base: Cooper Johnson’s defense lived up to the billing.
The junior catcher’s throwing ability lived up to the hype against the Gators. Johnson was a perfect 3-3 on catching runners stealing. As the top-ranked recruit at his position coming out of high school, Johnson’s defensive abilities are his best attribute. The Gators learned about his arm strength the hard way.
His weekend was cut short, however. Johnson was ejected in the third inning for arguing a called strike. He gestured with his bat where he thought the ball crossed the plate. The argument will cost Johnson a one-game suspension as is the punishment set forward by the NCAA rulebook for any non-pitcher arguing balls and strikes with an umpire.
At the Plate: Third starter continues to be a question mark.
The typical Sunday role in the pitching staff lacked once again. Gunnar Hoglund has been the third starter in the rotation all year, but Houston Roth got the ball as Hoglund has struggled with the ability to eat innings. Roth’s start only lasted 3.0 innings after allowing 4 unearned runs. He did not have much help from his defense behind him, but Florida was squaring up his pitches well. If it were not for a furious comeback from the offense and Parker Caracci’s scoreless effort over the last 11 outs to
end the game, Ole Miss was heading for a lopsided loss to end the series. Caracci had a typical closer’s mindset about his longer-than-usual outing.
“I was hoping it would be for 11 outs,” answered the reliever when asked about being the last pitcher to enter the game. “I love having the ball in my hand.”
Doug Nikhazy’s 6.0 innings in the blowout win shows how he has settled in nicely in the rotation. Ethridge has looked good in his outings when his blister did not cut his day short. Bianco is struggling to find starting pitching after those two with Roth, Fowler, Max Cioffi, and Hoglund not taking advantage of their opportunities.
On Deck: Game three had it all.
The Gators jumped out to an eight-run lead, then Cole Zabowski hit a two-run home run. Kessinger hit an RBI-single. Lightning and rain delayed the game for an hour. Ole Miss added seven more runs to conclude an eight-run inning that put them ahead 10-8. Florida answered immediately. The Rebels scored the game’s last 2 runs. The comeback allowed Ole Miss to pick up another highly-coveted SEC victory. Bianco lauded his team’s effort to not get complacent.
“We challenged the team after the first game (of the doubleheader),” Bianco said. “It is such a mediocre attitude to be okay with winning the first two games. We only get 30 (conference games).”
