After Taking Opening Game, Rebels Split Doubleheader with Oral Roberts to Clinch the Series
Oxford, Miss. — After Saturday’s game was postponed one day due to a snowstorm in Oxford, Ole Miss split a doubleheader Sunday with Oral Roberts. The Rebels and Golden Eagles agreed to play two shortened contests of seven innings each.
GAME TWO: OLE MISS 6, ORAL ROBERTS 2
The Rebels won the first game Sunday, 6-2, over Oral Roberts to clinch the series. However, head coach Mike Bianco’s team dropped the final game, 8-4.
The Rebels are now 13-2 on the season.
Swayze Field, Saturday, March 12, 2022 (Photo credit: Michael Azlin)
Junior starting pitcher Derek Diamond looked to improve on his 2-0 record, and he dazzled with his performance.
The Californian was crisp, allowing just a single hit in four complete innings and recording five strikeouts. Of the 55 pitches he threw, 42 were strikes.
Diamond earned the win, increasing to a team-best three victories on the season.
Prices have gotten out of hand so you can have this ⛽️ for free! pic.twitter.com/3vBesKiXWu
— Ole Miss Baseball (@OleMissBSB) March 13, 2022
Doc usually likes to go fast but sometimes you gotta change it up.@dr_derekk | #HottyToddy pic.twitter.com/iWjMuJFeWW
— Ole Miss Baseball (@OleMissBSB) March 13, 2022
Brandon Johnson came on in relief and threw the final two innings, earning the save — his second of the season.
The key moment for Johnson came in the sixth inning. The bases were loaded with Oral Roberts’ runners when the Rebels’ Mechanical Engineering major powered a 95 mile-per-hour fastball to end the Golden Eagle threat.
.@bjjohnson34's fastball is as quick as a cat. That's why his friends call him Whiskers. pic.twitter.com/9CneK1EGoU
— Ole Miss Baseball (@OleMissBSB) March 13, 2022
Bats Alive
Ole Miss would never trail in this one. In the second inning, the Rebels plated three. Catcher Hayden Dunhurst doubled, scoring Kemp Alderman and Ben Van Cleve.
If you thought he was coming down with that catch you must be taking crazy pills! pic.twitter.com/EDl7dnvcoT
— Ole Miss Baseball (@OleMissBSB) March 13, 2022
Texan Peyton Chatagnier then tripled home Dunhurst.
First baseman and super senior Tim Elko crushed a solo shot to center field in the third inning that measured 410 feet. It was Elko’s team-leading, seventh home run on the season.
ELE: Everybody Loves Elko 💣@TimElko | #HottyToddy pic.twitter.com/mFf6upE6iO
— Ole Miss Baseball (@OleMissBSB) March 13, 2022
T.J. McCants provided some much-needed insurance in the sixth inning as he deposited a two-run home run just short of the student section in right field.
Boy, that escalated quickly.@mccants_tj | #HottyToddy pic.twitter.com/6KyqkiPT52
— Ole Miss Baseball (@OleMissBSB) March 13, 2022
DeadSoxy Game Ball
The timely home run from McCants earns the sophomore the DeadSoxy.com game ball.
Up by just two runs at the time, the outfielder’s homer pushed the Rebel lead to a more comfortable four runs.
Congrats to T.J. on his first game ball of the year!
Hotty Toddy!
GAME THREE: OLE MISS 4, ORAL ROBERTS 8
The Rebels were not able to complete the sweep against Oral Roberts, losing the series finale, 8-4, Sunday in game two of a doubleheader.
Oral Roberts took a 1-0 lead in the top of the third on a fielder’s choice. The play initially was ruled an inning-ending 4-6-3 double play for the Rebels; however, it was later overturned by instant replay.
Oral Roberts took advantage of the opportunity as the next batter hit a three-run homer to left field, giving the Golden Eagles a 4-0 lead.
That would mark the end of Rebel pitcher Jack Dougherty’s first start of the season.
“It’s just uncharacteristic of him to be behind in the count and walk the opening guy of the game. It just wasn’t his day today,” said head coach Mike Bianco on Dougherty’s outing.
In the bottom of the third, Hayden Dunhurst hit his first home run of the season, cutting the Golden Eagles’ lead to 4-1.
Reagan Burford then doubled through the left side. Justin Bench followed by scoring Burford on a double of his own, making the score 4-2 in favor of the visitors.
With two outs and a runner at second, shortstop Jacob Gonzalez hit a home run into right center field to tie the game at 4-4.
𝗚𝗼𝗻𝗲zo
We. Are. Tied!!!@jakegonzalez717 | #HottyToddy pic.twitter.com/kJHg1Yy2GH
— Ole Miss Baseball (@OleMissBSB) March 13, 2022
The Golden Eagles would take the lead back in the top of the fourth on a solo home run that gave ORU a 5-4 lead they would not relinquish.
The ORU lead would increase to 7-4 in the top of the sixth after a two-out, two-run double down the right field line. The Golden Eagles would tack on another with a second double that gave them their 8-4 advantage.
Ole Miss threatened in the bottom of the sixth but couldn’t score.
“Not enough constant pressure throughout the day that we normally do. Credit to them (Oral Roberts), They pitched it really well. All around, not a real good day for us.”
Mike Bianco on Sunday’s offensive performance
Hunter Elliott (1-2), one of six Rebel pitchers in the game, got the loss. AJ Archambo (3-0) got the win for ORU.
Next Up
Ole Miss will now hit the road during spring break, heading to Hammond, Louisiana, for a Tuesday matchup with Southeastern Louisiana before playing three in Auburn Thursday through Saturday. Tuesday’s game can be streamed via ESPN+, with the call available through the Ole Miss Radio Network.
(Feature image credit: Nick Filipich, The Rebel Walk)
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.
