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.

Tim Elko: "Been feeling good. Feeling fine. If I wasn't, I would say something. Happy to be out there and help the team in any way I can."

— The Rebel Walk (@TheRebelWalk) May 27, 2021

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.

Since April 5th:

1 ACL, 3 home runs.@TimElko | #RebsBSB

💻 https://t.co/uX3lV9laxw pic.twitter.com/RL92zoxw4m

— Ole Miss Baseball (@OleMissBSB) May 27, 2021

I DON'T BELIEVE WHAT WE ARE SEEING.

Witness Greatness.@TimElko | #RebsBSB

💻 https://t.co/uX3lV9laxw pic.twitter.com/cUREJqNlzf

— Ole Miss Baseball (@OleMissBSB) May 27, 2021

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.

Diamond's stuff just getting better and better out here in Hoover!

Through five with eight K's.@_derekdiamond | #RebsBSB

💻 https://t.co/uX3lV9laxw pic.twitter.com/KqcfqYeaNk

— Ole Miss Baseball (@OleMissBSB) May 27, 2021

Bianco on Derek Diamond: "That's about as good as he's pitched, next to the opening weekend again Texas. I looked down and he has 8 strikeouts in 5 1/3. I thought he was as good as he's been all year."

— The Rebel Walk (@TheRebelWalk) May 27, 2021

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!