No. 9 Ole Miss defeats Kentucky, 10-1, to take the series from the Wildcats
LEXINGTON, Ky. — While hits were at a premium for the Rebels in the first two games of the series in Lexington, Ole Miss (19-8, 4-5 SEC) had no such struggles Sunday, overpowering Kentucky (18-11, 3-6 SEC) 10-1 at Kentucky Proud Park.
The Rebs capitalized on back-to-back hits from Tim Elko and Regan Burford in the fourth inning as the Captain led things off with a single into left field, followed by Burford’s double to deep left that sent Elko to third.
TJ McCants then notched a sacrifice fly to left field that allowed Elko to tag from third and score and give Ole Miss a 1-0 lead.
Kemp Alderman was intentionally walked, putting runners on first and second with one out for Hayden Leatherwood who then singled to left field.
Reagan Burford’s attempt to score from second was not successful as he was thrown out trying to extend the lead to 2-0. But with two out, Hayden Dunhurst delivered his second hit of the game with a single through the right side of the infield, scoring Alderman from second and putting Ole Miss up 2-0.
In the top of the fifth with one out, Tim Elko hit a no-doubt solo home run over the left field wall to expand the Rebel lead to 3-0.
𝗕ig
𝗕eautiful
𝗡uke pic.twitter.com/rBueZco0PE— Ole Miss Baseball (@OleMissBSB) April 3, 2022
Burford was then walked which set up a McCants single, moving Burford to third.
Alderman would then reach on a fielder’s choice that would score Burford. After Alderman stole second, Leatherwood doubled to left field and scored Alderman. That would bring the Rebel lead to 5-0 over Kentucky.
The big fifth inning wouldn’t stop there. After a Hayden Dunhurst walk, Jacob Gonzalez sent a three-run blast out to right center field that cleared the fence putting the Rebels out in front 8-0.
Jacob GONEzalez 🚀@jakegonzalez717 | #HottyToddy pic.twitter.com/obkXUJZCcM
— Ole Miss Baseball (@OleMissBSB) April 3, 2022
Kentucky was able to get a run back in the bottom of the fifth with a solo home run from Chase Estep. That would cut the Ole Miss lead to 8-1.
The top of seventh saw TJ McCants hit a lead off solo homer to increase the Rebel lead to 9-1.
Don't blink 💥@mccants_tj | #HottyToddy pic.twitter.com/uIwjYnssE5
— Ole Miss Baseball (@OleMissBSB) April 3, 2022
The Rebs were able to scratch across one more run in the eighth. Justin Bench led off the inning with a single into right field. Burford then hit a single that advanced Bench to third, and Burford took second on Kentucky’s attempt to throw out Bench at third.
TJ McCants then earned his third RBI on the day on a groundout to second base, scoring Bench.
On the Mound
In his first SEC start, Jack Washburn was able to hold Kentucky to only one run. Through five complete innings Washburn gave up four hits on six strikeouts and two walks.
𝙒𝙖𝙨𝙝, rinse, repeat. @jackwashburn_ | #HottyToddy pic.twitter.com/rFfLFPOlKv
— Ole Miss Baseball (@OleMissBSB) April 3, 2022
Jack Dougherty and John Gaddis were able to hold the Wildcats for the last four innings. The two gave up a combined four hits while striking out five and walking one.
“My mindset didn’t change at all. I just wanted to get out there and get a good solid start for my team and give us a shot to win. My stuff was good today, commanded the fastball really well and used that to get in on some guys and I think that was the difference maker today.”
Jack Washburn on his first SEC start
At the Plate
The Rebs were able to collect 13 hits with six of them being for extra bases. Five different Rebels had two hits in the game: Elko, Burford, McCants, Leatherwood, and Dunhurst.
Both TJ McCants and Jacob Gonzalez had three RBI.
“It’s good for us to get that feeling of winning. Having good at-bats and pitchers come out and do what they did. It’s good for our momentum.”
TJ McCants on the win over Kentucky
Next Up for Ole Miss:
Ole Miss will next take on Southern Miss in a midweek battle at Trustmark Park in Pearl, Mississippi. While no streaming will be available for the game, the call can be heard through the Ole Miss Radio Network.
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.
