Ole Miss defeats No. 4 Arkansas, 4-2, in game one of the series
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Looking to use the momentum from their Governor’s Cup Trophy victory over Mississippi State earlier this week, Ole Miss hit the road to face western division foe Arkansas. The Rebels picked up where they left off earlier in the week, defeating the No. 4-ranked Razorbacks, 4-2, at Baum-Walker Stadium.
The Hogs, who were coming off a series loss at Texas A&M, entered Friday’s game against Ole Miss leading the SEC West with a 12-6 record in league play. It was the Rebels’ first visit to the home of the Hogs since game three of the 2019 Super Regional.
Ole Miss (24-17, 7-12 SEC) was solid in all three phases of the game with solid pitching from starter Dylan DeLucia and closer Brandon Johnson, solid defense — including four double plays — and timely hitting.
DeLucia earned his third win in as many starts, and fourth overall, this season to improve to 4-0. He scattered eight hits and two walks over seven plus innings, allowing just two runs tossing 105 pitches.
DeLucia talked after the game about what has been successful for him. “Just attacking the zone, competing every pitch, trying to get outs one pitch at a time…one inning at time,” he explained.
DeLucia also credit the Ole Miss defense. “We had some amazing plays tonight, saved me runs, saved the team runs, just ended up getting us a win,” he explained.
“Dylan was terrific,” head coach Mike Bianco said of his Friday starter.
If you didn't know, this dude is Lights Out 🎚@dylan_delucia22 | #HottyToddy pic.twitter.com/aOGyezGFTe
— Ole Miss Baseball (@OleMissBSB) April 30, 2022
Filthy, dirty, nasty, vile. Go ahead and pick your adjective to describe this pitch. pic.twitter.com/yDoMa1ytyv
— Ole Miss Baseball (@OleMissBSB) April 30, 2022
Brandon Johnson pitched the last six outs for Ole Miss in the win. He was electric, touching 100 with his fastball and a 97 mph ‘high heater’ to strike out an Arkansas batter.
It was Johnson’s fifth save overall, but first in SEC play. “He was super-juiced, and we needed it,” Bianco said after the game.
💯@bjjohnson34 | @PitchingNinja pic.twitter.com/WTns3HdInZ
— Ole Miss Baseball (@OleMissBSB) April 30, 2022
BJ is all of us@bjjohnson34 | #HottyToddy pic.twitter.com/IlGqVGr1Ct
— Ole Miss Baseball (@OleMissBSB) April 30, 2022
Senior Kevin Graham, who has tallied 11 hits in the last seven games, including a 2-for-3 outing Friday, talked about the team’s approach at the plate.
“All year, we talked about we had to have more tough at bats and more disciplined at bats up and down, and I say we’ve done a much better job the last few games and last week. We haven’t been giving away as many outs and just let guys roll through. Even if we’re not scoring, we’re taking good at bats and that makes it tougher on the guy (pitcher).”
Kevin Graham on the Rebels’ hitting
Graham, a native of Missouri, also contributed two RBIs, a double and scored a run.
Other Rebels with multiple hits were the other two members of the “Three Amigos” – third baseman Justin Bench and first baseman Tim Elko.
KG stays on a heater 🔥 pic.twitter.com/gZprhs1WdQ
— Ole Miss Baseball (@OleMissBSB) April 30, 2022
This, ladies and gents, is how you execute the hit and run *chef's kiss* pic.twitter.com/kjYEmqD7U7
— Ole Miss Baseball (@OleMissBSB) April 30, 2022
Timothy. Elko.
Love this guy. pic.twitter.com/V7lqsvQPJd
— Ole Miss Baseball (@OleMissBSB) April 30, 2022
One word: MASSIVE. pic.twitter.com/hVtMyr5O4S
— Ole Miss Baseball (@OleMissBSB) April 30, 2022
One word: MASSIVE. pic.twitter.com/hVtMyr5O4S
— Ole Miss Baseball (@OleMissBSB) April 30, 2022
Strike 'em out ✅
Throw 'em out ✅Two for the price of one. pic.twitter.com/cdyYnEouG8
— Ole Miss Baseball (@OleMissBSB) April 30, 2022
What’s Next for Ole Miss?
The Rebels’ second game at Arkansas (32-10, 12-7 SEC) is scheduled for 7 p.m. Saturday night.
Freshman lefty Hunter Elliot (1-3, 3.19 ERA, 31 innings pitched, 45 strikeouts, 15 walks) is scheduled to start for Ole Miss. Arkansas will send lefty Hagen Smith (6-2, 3.83 ERA, 53 K, 26 BB) to the mound.
(Photo credit: Ole Miss Baseball)
Chris Muller
Chris is our Director of Baseball Content and Senior Baseball Writer. Muller is a 1995 Graduate of Ole Miss. He is a collegiate recreational sports professional currently residing in Arlington Texas with his wife of 25 years, Amber, and German Shorthaired Pointer, Sophie. Chris is an avid Ole Miss Baseball and Football fan. His hobbies include watching college football and baseball and playing poker with his friends.
