Ole Miss cruises to series sweep over Charleston Southern with 12-2 win in game three
OXFORD, Miss. – After taking the first two games of the series against Charleston Southern, the Rebels looked to sweep the Buccaneers.
Sundays are known throughout Rebel Nation as Energy Sunday when the Rebels wear their much-loved Powder Blues. And on yet another beautiful day at Swayze, the pitching was great and the Ole Miss lineup provided a ton of run support as the Rebs cruised to a 12-2 victory in eight innings, run-ruling CSU for the second consecutive game.
On the mound
Junior Drew McDaniel was given the Sunday starting nod from Skipper Mike Bianco. In order to allow other pitchers to get work in, McDaniel only pitched 3 2/3 innings. He threw 60 total pitches, recording four strikeouts and allowing just two hits, two walks and a lone run.
“(I’m) proud of Drew,” Coach Bianco said after the game. “In the innings where they had some traffic on the bases, he competed and got off the field.”
The bullpen did great work in the 4 1/3 innings that Hunter Elliott, Dylan DeLucia, and Jack Dougherty were on the mound. Between the three of them, they allowed only two hits, one walk and one run, with Elliott and Dougherty facing the minimum over one and two innings, respectively. Dougherty struck out five of the six batters he faced.
Jack Dougherty mowing them down! pic.twitter.com/xhoI4nfhmz
— Ole Miss Baseball (@OleMissBSB) February 20, 2022
For the weekend, the bullpen was impressive. Over 10 1/3 innings, the staff allowed just six hits, two runs, two walks and notched 17 strikeouts.
At the plate
Playing from behind for the first time this season, Ole Miss hitters wasted no time in regaining the dominance they showed in the first two wins over CSU.
On Saturday, Kevin Graham’s 61-game on-base streak —which was the longest in the country — expired. However, a new streak would be born on Sunday. Following a two-out, full-count walk to Tim Elko, Graham pounded a 1-0 offering resulting in a home run to right field that measured 413 feet.
Didn't trail for long…@kevgraham11 | #HottyToddy pic.twitter.com/MJK1Wt0x4H
— Ole Miss Baseball (@OleMissBSB) February 20, 2022
“Our whole line-up is so deep, we give the pitchers no break. Real special group of guys that love to compete each at bat.”
Ole Miss LF Kevin Graham on the Rebel batters
The O’Fallen, Missouri native’s contributions did not end with his home run. In the fourth inning, Graham notched a two-RBI single with Kemp Alderman, Jacob Gonzalez, and Tim Elko on base.
KG's day continues… pic.twitter.com/QOvNyhq64c
— Ole Miss Baseball (@OleMissBSB) February 20, 2022
“Today was his day,” Coach Bianco said of Graham.
“He gets off a fastball early to break the ice for us. I really thought the big base hit with bases loaded broke the game open there.”
Coach Bianco on Kevin Graham’s performance Sunday
Ben Van Cleve scored Justin Bench in the fourth inning after Bench led off the inning with double down the first base line, giving Ole Miss a 3-1 lead after four.
In addition to the Graham single in the fifth, six more Rebel runs would cross the plate in the inning. Elko scored on a fielder’s choice from Bench, and Bench subsequently scored on a T.J. McCants’ double that would give Ole Miss a 7-1 advantage. Calvin Harris would then single home McCants.
TJ goes shopping in the @Gap and it's a 6-run ballgame! pic.twitter.com/hqxLfe7TWZ
— Ole Miss Baseball (@OleMissBSB) February 20, 2022
Then, Kemp Alderman would blast a three-run home run to dead center off the batter’s eye. His hit measured 417 feet and registered an exit velocity of 102 miles per hour and it gave Ole Miss an 11-1 lead over CSU.
Again, we repeat. Grown man strength from @KempAlderman! pic.twitter.com/ei2kBPsNcO
— Ole Miss Baseball (@OleMissBSB) February 20, 2022
Coach Bianco praised his sophomore right fielder.
“He had a really good fall and early spring. Freakish strength. It’s neat to see.”
Coach Bianco on Kemp Alderman
Defense shines Sunday
After committing four errors Friday night, the Rebel defense showed what it was capable of Sunday with the first double play of 2022, along with a first baseman unassisted put out that saw Elko range to his left and dive to just beat the Bucs’ runner.
“(I) was really disappointed on Friday,” Bianco said. “We can be good defensively and it was nice to be errorless the rest of the weekend,” he added.
6️⃣➡️4️⃣➡️3️⃣ for the first DP of the 2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣2️⃣ season. @peytonchat5 | @jakegonzalez717 pic.twitter.com/1c5PIdYn38
— Ole Miss Baseball (@OleMissBSB) February 20, 2022
Upon further review, @TimElko can do everything. pic.twitter.com/U2bz76DPuW
— Ole Miss Baseball (@OleMissBSB) February 20, 2022
DeadSoxy Game Ball
Kevin Graham launched his first home run of the 2022 season and also hit a bases-loaded single that scored two.
The left fielder was 2-for-3 on the day with four RBIs. Congrats to Kevin, the recipient of Sunday’s DeadSoxy.com Game Ball!
Next Up for Ole Miss
The Rebels resume play Tuesday with mid-week action vs. Arkansas State. The Red Wolves enter Tuesday’s match-up with an 0-3 record after getting swept by Samford of the Southern Conference 9-8, 11-4, and 11-0. Oregon State transfer Jack Washburn will get the ball first for Ole Miss.
Expect Hayden Dunhurst to be rested for the second straight game after tweaking his hamstring in game two against CSU. “I don’t think it’s serious, I’ll think he’ll play by the weekend,” said Coach Bianco of his star catcher.
(Feature image credit: Petre Thomas, Ole Miss)
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.
