Ole Miss pitching shines, but Rebs fall just short in SEC Semifinals with 3-2 loss to Arkansas
HOOVER, Ala. – After a great week of baseball, in the end the Rebels fell just short of making it to Championship Sunday, falling 3-2 to No. 1 Arkansas in the semifinals of the SEC Tournament. In a game with a number of opportunities, Ole Miss finished oh-so-close to making its third SEC Championship game in as many tournaments. But for now, the Rebs await to find out their postseason pairings.
Rebel pitching shines in Hoover
As it was the fifth game in five days for the Red and Blue, one might have expected pitching to be an issue; however, it was not. The starting pitchers and bullpen were outstanding all week.
Both teams had combined for 158 home runs coming into the tournament, but the winds of Hoover and a much cooler-than-normal late May temperature would aid the pitchers in keeping runs for both the Rebs and the Hogs at a premium Saturday.
Arkansas got off to an early lead on a first-inning, two-run homer. Ole Miss starter Cody Adcock would settle-in after that, allowing no additional runs. He doubled his season-high in innings pitched, taking the Rebels all the way to the fifth inning before giving way to the bullpen.
The starting pitching for the Rebs all week was rock solid, giving up just seven runs in 24.1 innings pitched. The bullpen was equally as impressive, both in this game and throughout the tournament.
Although Jackson Kimbrell was saddled with Saturday’s loss, he was stellar on the mound, throwing 1.2 innings and allowing just one run. Wes Burton, a man who enjoys positive “self-talk” while on the mound, extended his season-long outing by two outs, pitching 2.2 inning of scoreless baseball.
See ya.
✌️ K's in the frame for @Wes55Burton!
💻 https://t.co/0vBT3d9u3T pic.twitter.com/upuClvc2AX
— Ole Miss Baseball (@OleMissBSB) May 29, 2021
In the ninth, Austin Miller was brought in and recorded the final out.
For the week, the pen allowed just six runs in 15 innings. The performance of both the starters and the bullpen arms during tournament bodes well as we move into the NCAA Tournament.
The player with perhaps the best understanding of the pitching staff is the catcher, Hayden Dunhurst. “This week it seemed like every time there was a big situation, our pitchers made the big pitch. They would execute their extra slider down and away in the dirt, and the guy would swing at it,” Dunhurst said after the game.
Shortstop Jacob Gonzalez concurred.
“All of our pitchers were locked in this week, pitching with confidence. They weren’t letting any of the outcomes affect their outcome for pitching, and they were just pitching how they’ve always pitched their whole lives.”
Ole Miss shortstop Jacob Gonazalez on the Rebs’ pitchers
Dunhurst puts on catcher clinic
In the game against Arkansas, Dunhurst gave further evidence to exactly why he was named Second-Team All-SEC and the SEC All-Defensive Catcher.
A foul pop out to the catcher may not look like much in the stat sheet. In fact, “Bates fouled out to c.” is how it actually read Saturday. But it was so much more—more like a SportsCenter Top 10-worthy play.
Throw the mask. Find the fence. Catch the ball. Head first into the dugout. Emerge from dugout with ball.
“(I was) Just trying to make a play for my team,” Dunhurst said of his acrobatic catch. “Didn’t realize I was going to end up flipping over, actually. I thought I was going to be able to hold on. I realized I was running a little bit more fast than I thought, so just ended up going over.”
You've seen the arm… BUT HOW ABOUT THE WHOLE BODY?!
Best flipping catcher in the nation.@Hayden_Dunhurst | #SCTop10
💻 https://t.co/0vBT3d9u3T pic.twitter.com/NWwXP9wyjC
— Ole Miss Baseball (@OleMissBSB) May 29, 2021
It has nearly 3,000 likes on @SECNetwork and is a great addition to the Hayden Dunhurst highlight reel.
Dunhurst also gunned down a would be Hog base-stealer in the ninth to provide the first out of the inning.
Best defensive catcher in the SEC.
Make that 20 runners gunned down for our man behind the plate this year!@Hayden_Dunhurst | #RebsBSB
💻 https://t.co/0vBT3d9u3T pic.twitter.com/m2ifFgapXv
— Ole Miss Baseball (@OleMissBSB) May 29, 2021
Bianco: ‘This team’s really good’
Freshman Jacob Gonzalez doubled home the Rebels’ only runs in the fifth inning with the bases loaded. Gonzalez notched an impressive first SEC tournament, going 8 for 19 at plate for a .421 batting average.
“We talked about it all year long, and he’s been sensational,” head coach Mike Bianco said of his shortstop.
“He’s been sensational from day one. I want to say he started every game. I could be mistaken, but I think he started every game at shortstop. I don’t know if that’s ever happened since I’ve been here. And then for him to swing it offensively, to bat third in our lineup. He had a sensational week. I don’t think it surprises anybody. He’s done that all year long on the biggest stages in our league. But he’s been sensational.”
Head coach Mike Bianco on freshman Jacob Gonzalez
Unfortunately, Arkansas was able to minimize the damage, getting Tim Elko to strike out and Dunhurst to ground to first to leave three on base for the Rebels.
Other opportunities for Ole Miss presented themselves in the fourth inning when the Rebs ran into a strike-‘em-out, throw-‘em-out double play and in the sixth inning when T.J. McCants attempted to gain an extra 90 feet on an overthrow only to be tagged out at second base to end the inning.
All in all, however, after a great performance in Hoover, perhaps Coach Bianco summed it up best. “This team’s really good, and they really believe they’re going to win.”
Up Next: Regionals
Regional Host selections will be named Sunday evening at 7:30 p.m. Expect no surprises, as even Ole Miss Athletic Director Keith Carter said on Twitter, “Swayze will be (on fire) this weekend! Let’s go!”
The NCAA Live Selection show is Monday morning at 11:00 a.m. on ESPN2. The brackets will be revealed then, and we’ll find out who gets the opportunity to enjoy what we all know is the best and friendliest environment for a visiting fan in college baseball, Swayze Field. Super regional pairing will also be announced.
Gonzalez, who expressed excitement about the week that was and the opportunity ahead of the Rebs, contended: “I think we just need to keep playing with the same energy we had all week. I think personally we played way different than we have been playing. We were playing with a different vibe, like just more excited to play, more on the line, and it was a lot more fun too.”
“I’m most looking forward to playing at home and playing with the same stakes on the line of win or go home. That’s what you want to play for.”
Jacob Gonzalez on postseason play at home
Postgame Press Conference
Hotty Toddy!
(Feature image credit courtesy of the SEC)
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.
