Ole Miss hammers VCU, 14-3, to take series in run-rule win over Rams
OXFORD, Miss. — After freezing temperatures caused Saturday’s game to be cancelled, the Ole Miss bats remained hot as the Rebels burned past Virginia Commonwealth 14-3 in seven innings Sunday at Swayze Field.
Ole Miss improves to 6-0 on the season after touching up the Rams’ pitching for 14 hits – three of them home runs.
The Rebs got into trouble in the top of the first, committing back-to-back errors that allowed three runs to come across for VCU.
But Ole Miss answered in the bottom half of the first via a Justin Bench single that scored Jacob Gonzalez and cut the Rams’ lead to 3-1.
The Rebs added three more runs in the bottom of the second to take the lead. Hayden Leatherwood scored on a sacrifice fly from Peyton Chatagnier, followed by a two-run shot that was Gonzalez’s first home run of the year, giving Ole Miss a 4-3 edge after two innings.
We've got liftoff 🚀@jakegonzalez717 | #HottyToddy pic.twitter.com/HZRl67obRd
— Ole Miss Baseball (@OleMissBSB) February 27, 2022
Another big inning came in the bottom of the third for the Rebels, as Ole Miss scored four runs on four hits, highlighted by a two-run single from Kemp Alderman and a triple from Chatagnier that scored Calvin Harris.
Kevin Graham and Justin Bench continued to stay hot at the plate in the bottom of the fourth, both collecting their third hits of the day. Bench’s single scored Graham making it 9-3 Rebels after four innings.
Ole Miss captain Tim Elko added three more for the Rebels in the bottom of the fifth with a shot over the right field wall that gave Ole Miss a 12-3 lead.
Tim did the thing again…@TimElko | #HottyToddy pic.twitter.com/k0FA783v47
— Ole Miss Baseball (@OleMissBSB) February 27, 2022
A familiar face on the football field, Tywone Malone provided the final blow with a walk-off homer in the bottom of the 7th to run-rule the Rams. It was his first career home run as a Rebel.
Tywone Malone’s first collegiate home run! #HottyToddy https://t.co/5ExG5TnTzf
— The Rebel Walk (@TheRebelWalk) February 27, 2022
“It feels amazing. Baseball has always been a passion of mine; coach gave me the opportunity and I just had to make the best of it.”
Ole Miss freshman Tywone Malone
Head coach Mike Bianco envisioned Malone’s homer before the game.
“I told him walking to the stadium today, ‘You got a standing ovation walking to the plate Friday, imagine when you hit a homerun,’” Bianco said. ”(I) didn’t think he was gonna hit one…he deserves it.”
On the Mound
Drew McDaniel (2-0) got his second start of the season for the Rebs on Sunday. McDaniel dished out three strikeouts through three innings, allowing three runs — only one of which was earned — and three walks but only one hit.
John Gaddis came in relief for McDaniel. The scheduled Saturday starter got his chance on Sunday out of the bullpen and pitched three impressive shutout innings, allowing only one hit and recording a strikeout.
“I like to long toss before I start, couldn’t do that in the pen,” Gaddis said. “I got hot then cold then hot again, I haven’t done that in a while.”
Brandon Johnson closed out the game with a scoreless seventh inning.
Up Next
The Rebels are back at Swayze Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. in the first of a two-game midweek series versus the ULM Warhawks.
(Feature image credit: Petre Thomas, Ole Miss)
Kameron Wicker
Kam is a senior at Ole Miss, currently pursuing a degree in Journalism. Even though he's from Delhi, Louisiana, that didn't stop Kam from growing up a diehard Ole Miss fan. He's a sports guru who watches and follows all sports at all times. He lettered four years in football and baseball in high school and is an avid Saints, Pelicans, and Astros fan. In his free time, you can find him watching sports or at the rec participating in them.
