Select Page

Diamond Rebs fall to Vandy in Walk-Off

Diamond Rebs fall to Vandy in Walk-Off

HOOVER, Alabama – Following an approximate hour and 15 minute rain delay, Ole Miss and Vanderbilt locked horns for the fourth time of the 2021 campaign, this time in the second round of the SEC Tournament, with the Rebels having taken the series in Oxford earlier in the month. The Rebs fought hard but dropped a 5-4 contest to the Commodores in a ninth-inning walk-off.

The Captain

The story of Ole Miss team captain Tim Elko is well documented.  In April, he suffered an ACL tear which many feared would result in season-ending surgery.  Elko and his medical advisors had other ideas.  As the experts have explained, a ligament — once torn — can’t be damaged further; therefore, playing with a torn ACL becomes a matter of pain management.

On Wednesday, the senior evidently had the pain under control.

Singlehandedly, the recently named SEC Scholar-Athlete of the Year, accounted for all of the Rebels RBIs in two swings, with a three-run home run in the sixth and a solo home run in the eighth.

On the night, Elko went 3-for-4. He was the only Rebel with a multi-hit night.

 

Kevin Graham continues the streak

It’s impossible to underestimate the contribution that comes in the form ofthe consistency of Kevin Graham. With his walk in the sixth inning, he has now reached base in 50 straight games.

Rebels on the mound

In the pitching department, Derek Diamond had one of his best outings of the year allowing just two runs on four hits and two walks. The Californian struck out eight in what was an early-inning pitchers’ duel.  Diamond notched clean innings and minimized damage when he didn’t have clean innings.

Jack Dougherty was in-line for the win but faced a hungry and unsatisfied top of the order Vanderbilt line-up in the ninth inning.  Dougherty was tagged with the loss, dropping to 1-2 on the year.

Next Up

Ole Miss heads to the losers bracket to face Georgia. The Bulldogs were manhandled by Arkansas prior to the Rebels/Commodores game.  A familiar foe from just last weekend, the Rebels defeated Georgia 2-1 in the series last weekend.

Ole Miss will throw Drew McDaniel. McDaniel is 4-1 with his lone loss coming at Georgia on Saturday.  He carries a 5.76 ERA with 54.2 innings pitched, averaging just over a strikeout per inning pitched.  Georgia will go with freshman Liam Sullivan.

Hotty Toddy!

Chris Muller

Chris is our Director of Baseball Content and Senior Baseball Writer. Muller is a 1995 Graduate of Ole Miss. He is a collegiate recreational sports professional currently residing in Arlington Texas with his wife of 25 years, Amber, and German Shorthaired Pointer, Sophie. Chris is an avid Ole Miss Baseball and Football fan. His hobbies include watching college football and baseball and playing poker with his friends.

About The Author

Chris Muller

Chris is our Director of Baseball Content and Senior Baseball Writer. Muller is a 1995 Graduate of Ole Miss. He is a collegiate recreational sports professional currently residing in Arlington Texas with his wife of 25 years, Amber, and German Shorthaired Pointer, Sophie. Chris is an avid Ole Miss Baseball and Football fan. His hobbies include watching college football and baseball and playing poker with his friends.

Leave a Reply

Pre-Season Camp

Get RW Updates