No. 2 Ole Miss beats UCF, 9-1, to take game three and the series

Ole Miss defeated UCF, 9-1, Sunday to win game three and take the series from the Knights. The win puts the Rebels at 10-1 this season.

Here’s a look at how it happened: 

First inning

The Rebels put the ball in play in the first but came up empty as they left the bases loaded.

Ole Miss pitcher Drew McDaniel got his day started by getting the first UCF batter to ground out to third base. The next batter doubled down the right field line. With first base open, McDaniel walked the UCF three-hole hitter and then answered by striking out the next two.

.@drew_mcdaniel handed this Knight a ⚔️ pic.twitter.com/mbgGAlTQWL

— Ole Miss Baseball (@OleMissBSB) March 6, 2022

Second inning

In the top of the second, Kemp Alderman led off with a stand-up double over the right fielder’s head. Hayden Dunhurst, on the eleventh pitch of the at-bat, brought Alderman around to score on a double of his own, giving Ole Miss an early 1-0 advantage.

Battle: won.@Hayden_Dunhurst dumps one into the corner and the Rebs are on the board! pic.twitter.com/wOhJpH3RZN

— Ole Miss Baseball (@OleMissBSB) March 6, 2022

Dunhurst later advanced to third on a wild pitch from UCF pitcher Hunter Patteson. Reagan Burfurd then walked to put runners on the corners with no outs, bringing up the top of the Rebel lineup in Peyton Chatagnier.

The Ole Miss second baseman grounded out to the pitcher, but it was enough to advance Burford to second and score Dunhurst, giving the Rebels a 2-0 lead.

In the bottom of the second, with two outs and runners on first and third, UCF would score the Knights’ first run of the game on a passed ball, cutting the Ole Miss lead to 2-1.

Third inning

In the top of the third, Ben Van Cleve would punch a two-out single into left field and then advance to second on a wild pitch, but he was stranded as the Rebels fouled out to end the frame.

In the home portion of the third, UCF loaded the bases via a single, an error and a walk. The walk marked the end of Drew McDaniel’s outing, as Bianco called in Jackson Kimbrell from the bullpen.

Kimbrell inherited a tough situation with bases loaded and just one out, but he was able to induce a ground ball to second base that finished the inning with a double play.

Fourth inning

Dunhurst led off the fourth with his second hit of the day on a single to center field. Burford followed with a single up the middle that was mishandled by the UCF second baseman, putting runners on first and second.

Peyton Chatagnier would then lay down a sacrifice bunt, advancing both runners up a base. Justin Bench then drove in the third Ole Miss run on sacrifice fly to right field. Jacob Gonzalez followed that up with a double into right center field, bringing home Burford to push the Rebel lead to 4-1.

Jackson Kimbrell sat down the Knights in order in the bottom of the fourth.

Filth.@jacksonkimbrell | #HottyToddy pic.twitter.com/bVJPSOgAKO

— Ole Miss Baseball (@OleMissBSB) March 6, 2022

Fifth inning

The top of the fifth inning saw the Rebels tack on two more runs as Alderman and Harris got back-to-back singles and Burford was hit by a pitch. The bases were then loaded for Peyton Chatagnier who hit a single down the left field line to score Alderman and Harris, giving Ole Miss a 6-1 lead.

After Kimbrell allowed a walk and a single in the bottom of the inning he was able to get off the field and strand two UCF baserunners. 

Sixth inning

Dylan DeLucia came in to relieve Kimbrell in the sixth, holding the Knights scoreless. Likewise, the Rebels were quiet from the sixth through eighth innings.

Ninth inning

In the top of the ninth, Ole Miss would add three insurance runs. Harris, with one out, got things going with a triple. Banks Tolley drove him in on a single that made it 7-1, Rebels.

Cal found that other gear 💨@Calvin_Harris33 | #HottyToddy pic.twitter.com/5FXgb2T8M2

— Ole Miss Baseball (@OleMissBSB) March 6, 2022

Dunhurst then walked to put runners on first and second for Burford who drove in Tolley and increased the lead for the Rebs, 8-1. 

Chatagnier then drove in Dunhurst with a sacrifice fly that gave Ole Miss a 9-1 lead that would hold through the bottom of the frame.

Dylan DeLucia shut down UCF in the bottom of the ninth to secure the win.

On the mound

Kimbrell earned the win for Ole Miss, throwing two and two thirds innings in relief, allowing no runs on one strikeout, and one walk.

DeLucia earned the save after pitching four complete scoreless innings to end the game, only allowing one hit and striking out six.

😱😱😱😱😱#NCAABaseball x 🎥 @OleMissBSB pic.twitter.com/6yleTB7sWu

— NCAA Baseball (@NCAABaseball) March 6, 2022

Coach Bianco was asked about his relief pitching.

Ole Miss head coach Mike Bianco

At the plate

The Rebels had four players with multiple hits today. Burford went 3-for-3, while Alderman went 3-for-4. Dunhurst finished 2-for-4 and Harris went 2-for-3.

Chatagnier led the team with 4 RBI.

Alderman was asked about the Rebels bouncing back at the plate.

Kemp Alderman

NEXT UP:

Ole Miss returns home for a pair of midweek games. Memphis visits Swayze Field Tuesday and Alcorn State comes calling Wednesday. Next weekend, the Rebels host Oral Roberts in a three-game set.

(Feature image credit: Ashley Herman)