Ole Miss baseball’s comeback falls short as Rebs lose 4-3 to Tennessee
OXFORD, Miss. — After dropping the first two games of the series, Ole Miss (16-7, 2-4 SEC) entered Sunday’s game with Tennessee hoping to take one from the Vols. Ultimately, however, the Rebels came up just short, losing 4-3.
Game three was tied at zero through three complete innings. But with no outs and runners on first and second in the top of the fourth, Drew Gilbert tripled down the right field line, bringing in two runs that gave the Vols a 2-0 advantage.
The next batter, Trey Lipscomb, grounded out to second base; however, that would allow Gilbert to make his way home for Tennessee’s third run of the inning and stretching their lead to 3-0.
Ole Miss pitcher Derek Diamond’s day on the mound would come to an end with two out in the top of the fifth. Riley Maddox took the ball in relief, striking out the first batter he faced to get out of the fifth.
In the top of the sixth with a runner on first and two outs, Tennessee (23-1, 6-0) tacked on a run on a double from Luc Lipcius into left center field, growing the Vols’ lead to 4-0.
The Rebels threatened in the bottom of the sixth but were not able to cash in.
Hayden Leatherwood led off the inning with a double to the right center gap. Hayden Dunhurst advanced him to third on a ground out to first base, putting a runner on third with less than two outs. But Peyton Chatagnier and Jacob Gonzalez would be put away with a strikeout and a ground out, respectively, ending the sixth without scratching across a run.
With two outs in the top of the seventh, Brandon Johnson would enter the game, relieving Maddox.
In the top of the eighth, with one out, Kemp Alderman reached base with a single through the left side. Leatherwood followed that with a single through the right side.
Dunhurst would then make things interesting with a three-run home run to right center field that cut the Tennessee lead to 4-3.
Game on, folks!@Hayden_Dunhurst | #HottyToddy pic.twitter.com/QaHbkREluM
— Ole Miss Baseball (@OleMissBSB) March 27, 2022
“It was a fastball. I saw changeup and sliders, four or five of them. I finally got a fastball. I had my foot down early and the plan was just don’t miss the fastball,” Dunhurst said of his at-bat in the eighth.
Gonzalez would then reach first on a wild-pitch third strike. Justin Bench came up and singled through the left side. Tim Elko then came up with runners on first and second but would strike out.
On the mound, Johnson was able to hold to the Tennessee offense in check, setting up a dramatic scene in the bottom of the ninth.
BJ gets us back to bat. Let's make some magic happen.@bjjohnson34 | #HottyToddy pic.twitter.com/feFsLT7Pjq
— Ole Miss Baseball (@OleMissBSB) March 27, 2022
Reagan Burford led off the final frame with a single into center field. After both TJ McCants and Kemp Alderman struck out, Leatherwood would reach on an error on ball hit sharply to the second baseman.
Dunhurst came up to bat next, but he wasn’t able to equal his heroics from the prior inning and Vols secured the 4-3 win.
On the Mound
Derek Diamond pitched four and two thirds inning while giving up six hits and three runs (all earned). Diamond struck out two and did not walk any batters. Riley Maddox pitched two innings of relief, allowing three hits and one run (all earned). Maddox struck out four and walked one batter.
Johnson pitched two and a third innings allowing one hit and no runs. He struck out two and walked one.
“Mindset was to keep (the game) where it was,” Johnson said after the game. “I knew our offense was going to punch back at some point; they are too good to be held down for that long. My goal was just to keep as close as we can to have a shot at the end.”
At the Plate
Leatherwood and Dunhurst managed to get two hits apiece. Dunhurst finished the game with a home run that would bring the Rebs within a run and give them a chance to win the game.
Next Up:
Ole Miss will look to get back on track on Tuesday, taking on North Alabama at Swayze Field. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. CT, with streaming available via SEC Network + and the call being available on the Ole Miss Radio Network.
(Feature image credit: Bella Wood, Ole Miss)
Nick Filipich
Nick Filipich was born and raised in Biloxi, MS. He is an Ole Miss alum with a degree in Sports and Recreation Administration. A sports junkie with a great passion for all things Ole Miss, Nick played baseball and football in high school — which is where he discovered his love for sports. He is an avid Braves and Saints fan, and in his free time enjoys spending time with family, friends and his black lab, Dixie.
