Ole Miss beats Vandy, 4-1, to move on to the Semifinals of the SEC Tournament
Rebels eliminate Commodores from the tournament, will play Arkansas Saturday
HOOVER, Ala. – The Rebels, for the first time in the 2021 campaign, took the field for their fourth game in as many days, facing Vanderbilt Friday in an elimination game in the SEC Tournament. This was the fifth meeting between the two this season, with the teams splitting the previous four.
Ole Miss skipper Mike Bianco sent Tyler Myers to the mound hoping to break the tie and launch the Rebels to Semifinal Saturday of the tournament. Myers and the Rebs delivered, beating Vanderbilt 4-1 behind a superb performance from Myers.
He gave Ole Miss all they could have hoped for and more. The senior provided seven innings of shutout baseball against the vaunted, high-powered Vanderbilt offense. Myers pitched to contact striking out a career high six, and inducing three ground-outs and 12 outs via pop-fly or groundout.
“He was outstanding today against one of the best offenses in our league,” head coach Mike Bianco said of Myers, a JUCO transfer who had Tommy John surgery last year.
“You watch them go through so much adversity and handle it. (Tyler) He’s handled it so, so well — through the rehab, COVID, all the other things, he has a giant smile and brings positive energy every day.”
Mike Bianco on Tyler Myers
B8 | Myers' day is done with two on, but what a day it was.
7.0 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 6 K 🔥
Johnson in to pitch.#RebsBSB 4, Vandy 0 pic.twitter.com/GRo7mY3HtZ
— Ole Miss Baseball (@OleMissBSB) May 28, 2021
Johnson notches banner day
Brandon Johnson also had a banner day on the mound. He retired the ‘Dores in the final two innings to close things down and earn the save for the Rebels.
Witness Greatness. pic.twitter.com/qQGbYwwdfR
— Ole Miss Baseball (@OleMissBSB) May 28, 2021
Bianco on Elimination Games
In thinking about playing in elimination games Bianco quipped, “It’s one of those things that’s kind of that dry run before you start the NCAA Tournament. We talked about it going into this week where it’s the first time — the season’s really broken up into three segments, three different seasons. You have the first season, which is that nonconference four weeks, and then you start conference play, and that’s like the second season. Then the third season, obviously, is the most important, postseason.
“The neat thing about postseason and the difference is, one, the elimination, where there’s going to be games where, if you lose, you’re done. The other thing is that you play games you don’t know after the game, you don’t know what time you’re going to play the next day or who you’re going to play, like yesterday.”
Rebs at bat
Offensively, the Rebels score four runs on four hits. They were beneficiaries of free opportunities to get on base, scoring a run off a hit-by-pitch and two runs off batters walked.
Kevin Graham hit his second home run in as many days, his 14th of the year, breaking the tie with Tim Elko for team lead.
KEVIN GRAHAM OFF HIS OWN FACE ON THE RIGHT FIELD SCOREBOARD.
Suicide bombs in Hoover! 😧@kevgraham11 | #RebsBSB
💻 https://t.co/GeBEwrJVvw pic.twitter.com/7QkKbgk5bz
— Ole Miss Baseball (@OleMissBSB) May 28, 2021
Defensive gems
Big-time defense was turned in by Hayden Durhurst on a bunt attempt. His defensive prowess continues to be crucial to the success of the team.
Nice bunt. One thing you forgot to consider: the arm of @Hayden_Dunhurst.
💻 https://t.co/GeBEwrJVvw pic.twitter.com/eJfwoUPtxA
— Ole Miss Baseball (@OleMissBSB) May 28, 2021
Another defensive gem was a beautiful 6-4-3 double play in the eighth inning that quelled a Vandy Boys rally.
Bases full no more!
Gonzo ➡️ Chatagnier ➡️ Baker
💻 https://t.co/GeBEwrJVvw pic.twitter.com/g7OUclZGlw
— Ole Miss Baseball (@OleMissBSB) May 28, 2021
What’s Next?
The Rebels face Arkansas in Game 2 of SEC Semifinal Saturday with pitchers TBA.
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.
