Rebels use the long ball to overpower North Alabama, 20-3
OXFORD, Miss. — No. 9 Ole Miss rebounded in a big way from last weekend’s series loss to Tennessee with a 20-3 win over North Alabama Tuesday night at Swayze.
Peyton Chatagnier led off the bottom of the first with a solo home run to right center field, giving the Rebs an early 1-0 lead.
Cue those showers!@peytonchat5 | #HottyToddy pic.twitter.com/2oTZbrtYId
— Ole Miss Baseball (@OleMissBSB) March 29, 2022
North Alabama (6-17) was able answer in the top of the next inning. Ole Miss pitcher Jack Washburn gave up a leadoff single to Drew Hudson who later advanced to second on a steal and to third on a wild pitch.
Hudson would score on a Zek Mejer ground out to first base, tying the game, 1-1.
With two out in the bottom of the second, Rebels’ catcher Hayden Dunhurst reached via a walk. Then, Calvin Harris stepped up and hit an opposite field home run to left field that gave the Rebs a 3-1 lead.
Oppo 🌮 Tuesday@Calvin_Harris33 | #HottyToddy pic.twitter.com/FFlJluGzH5
— Ole Miss Baseball (@OleMissBSB) March 30, 2022
With one out in the bottom of the third, Justin Bench collected a single up the middle. That would set up Tim Elko’s double into right center field, scoring Bench from second base.
Elko then advanced to third on a wild pitch. With one out, TJ McCants flied out to right field, allowing Elko to tag up from third. Kemp Alderman followed with a walk.
Hayden Leatherwood then drove the first pitch he saw into left center for a double, scoring Alderman.
Freaking laser beam.@HLeatherwood9 | #HottyToddy pic.twitter.com/PUXQBxHp7o
— Ole Miss Baseball (@OleMissBSB) March 30, 2022
Dunhurst drew a walk that put runners on first and second for Calvin Harris, who hit a double down the left field line that scored scoring Leatherwood and Dunhurst. After three complete innings, Ole Miss (17-7 overall, 2-4 SEC) had an 8-1 lead.
North Alabama was held scoreless through the first four innings.
In the bottom of the fourth, Jacob Gonzalez extended the Rebel lead by one more run, 9-1, with a lead-off solo home run deep over the right center field wall.
That thing got outta here in a hurry 😳@jakegonzalez717 | #HottyToddy pic.twitter.com/zsd3aoV28d
— Ole Miss Baseball (@OleMissBSB) March 30, 2022
After back-to-back walks of Bench and Elko, McCants singled into right field bringing home Bench and moving Elko to third, making the Ole Miss advantage, 10-1.
Elko then scored on a wild pitch, and McCants advanced to second. Kemp Alderman would hit a single through the left side of the infield, scoring McCants to give the Rebels a 12-1 lead.
Hayden Leatherwood followed with a single into right field. Hayden Dunhurst walked to load the bases for Calvin Harris who singled, scoring Alderman. The Ole Miss lead was then 13-1.
Jacob Gonzalez, in his second plate appearance of the inning, flied out into foul territory down the left field line but it would be deep enough for Leatherwood to tag up from third base and score to make it 14-1.
Justin Bench would increase the Ole Miss lead by three more with his first home run of the season, putting the Rebs out to a comfortable 17-1 lead.
JB just did unkind things to that ball.@JBench_2 | #HottyToddy pic.twitter.com/7K0msEspQU
— Ole Miss Baseball (@OleMissBSB) March 30, 2022
With two out in the top of fifth, Ole Miss pitcher Wes Burton gave up a two-run home run to Austin Thrasher, but the Red and Blue still led 17-3.
In the bottom of the fifth, John Kramer notched his first collegiate home run, a solo home blast that extended the Rebel lead to 18-3.
.@johnkrameriv is in on the action 💥 pic.twitter.com/fvjGoHqtWL
— Ole Miss Baseball (@OleMissBSB) March 30, 2022
Banks Tolley added another run with a single up the middle that pushed the Ole Miss lead to 19-3.
After a scoreless top of the sixth for UNA, Jacob Gonzalez led off the bottom of the sixth for Ole Miss with a triple to left field. He would eventually score on a ground ball hit by Tywone Malone to third base, but Malone would not be credited with an RBI as he reached on a throwing error.
The Rebel lead would ultimately increase to 20-3, which is where it would end after the seventh, due the ten-run, “mercy” rule.
On the mound
Jack Washburn earned the win, improving to 3-1 on the season, as he pitched three innings, giving up three hits, one run (unearned), four strikeouts and no walks.
“I thought Jack pitched well. He continues to grow. The one thing you can say about Jack is he’s a good competitor. I thought he attacked tonight.”
Head coach Mike Bianco on Jack Washburn’s outing
The bullpen of Mason Nichols, Wes Burton, Drew McDaniel and Logan Savell threw four innings of two-hit baseball, striking out nine and only giving up two runs.
At the Plate
Calvin Harris led the way, going 3-4 with a double and a home run with his five RBI. Jacob Gonzalez, Justin Bench and Hayden Leatherwood all notched two hits apiece.
“I just tried to go up there and attack the fastball early in the counts and get something I could handle.”
Calvin Harris on his approach at the plate vs UNA
Next Up for the Rebels
Ole Miss resumes SEC play this weekend, heading to Lexington, Kentucky to take on the Kentucky Wildcats (17-9, 2-4 SEC) in a three-game series Friday to Sunday. All three games will be streamed on SEC Network +, with the radio call available through the Ole Miss Radio Network.
(Feature image courtesy of Ole Miss Athletics)
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.
