Despite three home runs from Jacob Gonzalez, Ole Miss drops game two to Alabama, 12-10, in extra innings

OXFORD, Miss. — On a beautiful Saturday at Swayze, Ole Miss looked to bounce back from Friday’s game-one loss to Alabama, but the Rebels fell to the Tide, 12-10, in extra innings to drop the series to the visitors.

Ole Miss starter John Gaddis got things going in the top of the first by retiring Alabama in order. Alabama pitcher Jacob McNairy then came out in the bottom of the inning and retired Ole Miss in order.

Gaddis turned around and recorded another one-two-three inning in the top of the second.

Ole Miss threatened in the bottom of the inning as Kemp Alderman hit a double down the right field line with one out. Calvin Harris then advanced him to third on a ground out to first base, putting a runner at third with two out. Alderman, however, would be stranded at third as the inning ended on a Reagan Burford ground out to second base.

Alabama led off the top of the third with a single to right field from Drew Williamson.

Gaddis then sat down the next two Crimson Tide hitters in a row before issuing a two-out walk to Jim Jarvis. Tommy Seidl followed by hitting a single through the left side, scoring Williamson from second and giving Alabama the 1-0 advantage.

Calvin Harris made a great play to help Gaddis get out of a jam.

CALVIN. HARRIS. 🕸💎 pic.twitter.com/bCQZex4lgY

— Ole Miss Baseball (@OleMissBSB) April 9, 2022

With one out and no one on base in the bottom of the third, Peyton Chatagnier would tie the game with a home run into the bullpen beyond the left field wall.

Spark Plug 🔌

@peytonchat1 | #HottyToddy pic.twitter.com/wZGEuATl6e

— Ole Miss Baseball (@OleMissBSB) April 9, 2022

The next batter, Jacob Gonzalez, then smacked a solo home run into the student section, giving Ole Miss a 2-1 lead.

We goin' back-to-back!@jakegonzalez717 | #HottyToddy pic.twitter.com/VOn0SfVME7

— Ole Miss Baseball (@OleMissBSB) April 9, 2022

In the top of the fourth, Gaddis would get Alabama’s lead off hitter to fly out before hitting the next batter. Pinckney would then hit a single through the left side that put put runners on first and second for Drew Williamson who tied the game with a single through the right side.

Another Alabama run scored on a fielder’s choice to third base putting the Crimson Tide up 3-2.

Gaddis issued his second two-out walk of the game which would mark the end of his outing, giving way the Jack Dougherty. Dougherty would get the third out of the inning via a fly out.

With two outs in bottom of the fourth, Burford hit a solo home run over the center field wall to tie the game, 3-3.

BURF BURF BURF! 🗣@burford_reagan | #HottyToddy pic.twitter.com/TuLe3tGe3R

— Ole Miss Baseball (@OleMissBSB) April 9, 2022

Hayden Dunhurst kept the inning alive with a double into left center field. Chatagnier then hit a ground ball that was botched by the Alabama third baseman, allowing Dunhurst to advance to second and Chatagnier to reach first safely.

Jacob Gonzalez then provided a deep fly, his second of the game, into the student section that would give Ole Miss a 6-3 lead.

How the turntables…@jakegonzalez717 | #HottyToddy pic.twitter.com/a2As0sgIDM

— Ole Miss Baseball (@OleMissBSB) April 9, 2022

Justin Bench followed with a double down the left field line that set up a Tim Elko RBI single that would expand the Rebel lead to 7-3.

In the top of the sixth, an Alabama double and walk put runners on first and second for Dominic Tamez who singled up the middle. That brought home one Alabama run, cutting Ole Miss lead to 7-4.

A wild pitch would advance Tide runners to second and third. Jim Jarvis would then cut into the Ole Miss lead with a double to left center field that scored two.

Riley Maddox would then take over for Dougherty with two outs in the inning. Maddox got out of the inning unscathed with Ole Miss still hanging on to a 7-6 lead.

After a one-out walk in the top of the seventh, Brandon Johnson would come in to relieve Maddox.  Another runner would reach on an Ole Miss fielding error, and then a balk by Johnson advanced the runners up a base, putting runners on second and third.

Johnson would load the bases with a walk for Drew Williamson who hit a grand slam that would give Alabama a 10-7 lead.

In the bottom of the eighth, with two outs, Peyton Chatagnier reached base on a single. Jacob Gonzalez followed that with his third home run of the game cutting Alabama’s lead to 10-9.

“He got me with a slider in the at bat before so, I wanted to make sure I didn’t get beat with it again,” Gonzalez said after the game. 

HIS THIRD OF THE GAME@jakegonzalez717 | #HottyToddy pic.twitter.com/phLp6QTndy

— Ole Miss Baseball (@OleMissBSB) April 9, 2022

With the Rebels still behind by a score of 10-9, Tim Elko led off the bottom of the ninth with a home run

to tie the game at 10-10.

TIM FREAKING ELKO pic.twitter.com/iFyfVgKv7A

— Ole Miss Baseball (@OleMissBSB) April 9, 2022

A two-run by Zane Denton would give Alabama the 12-10 lead in the top of the tenth. The Rebels couldn’t mount a comeback in the bottom of the inning, giving Alabama the 12-10 and series win.

At the Plate

Ole Miss collected 15 hits including six home runs. Gonzalez, Elko and Chatagnier each had three hits apiece.

On the Mound

Branden Johnson recorded the loss, pitching three and two-thirds innings, giving up five runs (four earned), walking two and striking out three.

Next Up: 

Ole Miss and Alabama will play game three Sunday with first pitch set for 2:00 p.m.

(Feature image credit: Josh McCoy)