South Carolina walks off Ole Miss, 9-8, to take game three and series from Rebels
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Ole Miss rallied and erased a four-run, ninth-inning deficit to South Carolina on Saturday, tying the game at 8-8; however, the Rebels (21-14, 5-10 SEC) couldn’t quite finish. The Gamecocks walked off Ole Miss to win the rubber game, 9-8, to take the series.
“It’s been tough to be really consistent on the mound, in the field and at the plate. When we are, we can be pretty good. We just haven’t been able to do that consistently.“
Ole Miss head coach Mike Bianco after the 9-8 loss to SC
South Carolina (18-17, 6-9 SEC) led 3-0 after four complete.
Hayden Leatherwood got the Rebels on the board in the top of the fifth with an RBI triple that scored TJ McCants who reached by way of a South Carolina error.
You got a friend in us, Woody! pic.twitter.com/Q9QyuHIOd1
— Ole Miss Baseball (@OleMissBSB) April 16, 2022
Jacob Gonzalez manufactured another Ole Miss run in top of the sixth with a solo home run to right center field to cut the South Carolina lead to 3-2.
GONZO. It's a 1-run ball game! pic.twitter.com/jxA7V7F9HU
— Ole Miss Baseball (@OleMissBSB) April 16, 2022
Carson Hornung added more on the board for South Carolina via his two-run homer to right field that expanded the Gamecocks’ lead to 5-2 after six complete.
Ole Miss would bring the game within one in the top of the seventh, thanks to a Calvin Harris single up the middle that scored McCants and Leatherwood, who had both singled earlier in the inning. The Gamecocks’ lead was 5-4.
Cal comes through and it's a 1-run game once again! pic.twitter.com/iCYDmUehDM
— Ole Miss Baseball (@OleMissBSB) April 16, 2022
In the bottom of the eighth, South Carolina tacked on three more runs on two home runs, a solo shot from Braylen Wimmer and a two-run homer from Josiah Sightler. The Gamecocks led Ole Miss, 8-4, after eight innings — but the Rebels weren’t throwing in the towel.
Down four in the top of the ninth, Reagan Burford led off the inning with a walk and Ben Van Cleve advanced him to third on a double to left center field.
Justin Bench would drive in Burford on a single and advance pinch-runner Derek Diamond to third base. Ole Miss trailed 8-5.
Don't go anywhere just yet! pic.twitter.com/M7pVuVM2mN
— Ole Miss Baseball (@OleMissBSB) April 16, 2022
Jacob Gonzalez then hit an infield single, scoring Diamond and cutting the South Carolina lead to 8-6.
Tim Elko would fly out to center field but moved runners up a base, putting runners on second and third. With two outs, Kemp Alderman tied the game at 8-8 with a double to right center field that scored both Bench and Gonzalez.
KEMP COMES THROUGH IT'S A BRAND NEW BALL GAME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/AY8Hdk9aGP
— Ole Miss Baseball (@OleMissBSB) April 16, 2022
The game would go to the bottom of the ninth tied at eight runs apiece.
South Carolina got a leadoff walk out of Talmadge LeCroy. He would then advance to second on a sacrifice bunt and to third on a passed ball.
With the winning run on third, Jalen Vasquez hit a fly ball to center field that allowed LeCroy to tag and beat Justin Bench’s throw at the plate, giving South Carolina the 9-8 win.
After the game, Kevin Graham talked about the loss and the Rebs’ rally in the ninth.
“Proud of the way we fought there in the ninth, but we have to be better from the start. We can’t wait around that long. Look, we’ve got all the faith in the world we’re going to turn this thing around. We’re way too talented of a team. Too tough. We’ve got to stick together. Y’all just need to stick with us. We’re going to turn this thing around.“
Kevin Graham
On the mound
After starter Jack Washburn was lifted early due to injury, Jack Dougherty and Brandon Johnson made strong relief appearances, striking out five and six batters, respectively. Drew McDaniel records the loss.
Next Up
Ole Miss returns home for a midweek matchup with Southeast Missouri on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. CT. The game can be streamed through SEC Network + or listened to via the Ole Miss Radio Network.
(Feature image credit: Petre Thomas, 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.
