Alderman’s 4-for-4 night paces Ole Miss to 7-5 win over Missouri in Game One
OXFORD, Miss. – Ole Miss hosted Missouri in game one of the series Friday, the first time the Tigers have paid a visit to Swayze since 2017. With each team badly needing a win as they look to reach the SEC Tournament in Hoover, Ole Miss emerged victorious, 7-5.
Each game is critical for the two teams who both entered the series with identical 7-14 conference records.
DeLucia works early
Missouri forced Ole Miss starter Dylan DeLucia to work early, as he threw 52 pitches in the first inning, alone. The transfer settled in, however, and pitched into the fifth inning.
DeLucia allowed three runs on eight hits, while striking out four and issuing two walks.
One of the biggest pitches of DeLucia’s night came as he got out of a bases-loaded jam in the first to hold the Tigers to two runs in the frame.
“Maybe the biggest pitch of the night was in the first when the bases were loaded,” Bianco said after the game. “DeLucia struck him out on a full count. You look up, and they still have two (runs) going into the fifth and we got a little bit of a lead. All those things matter. That’s how you win games in our league. That was the difference tonight. They out-hit us, we walked more than they did, but we made big plays and big pitches to get off the field.”
Head coach Mike Bianco
Dougherty gets the win
In relief, Jack Dougherty earns the win and improves to 2-3 on the year. He traveled an inning and 2/3, while limiting the Tigers to just a hit and a walk, and recorded a strike out.
Johnson notches another save
Closer Brandon Johnson came in for the eighth and ninth innings and recorded his sixth save, overall, and second in SEC play. Johnson shined with four of the six outs he recorded being strikeouts.
Recapping BJ's inning: 🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/RZphsa2yRR
— Ole Miss Baseball (@OleMissBSB) May 7, 2022
Kemp’s Monster Day
Rebel designated hitter Kemp Alderman notched a monster day in game one, as the sophomore went 4-for-4 with a double and a home run.
The homer was an absolute “no doubter” with color commentator Matt McLaughin exclaiming, “See ya!” off the bat.
Alderman also tallied three RBI. He talked about his approach.
“(I’ve) been working in the cage, trying to be on time, ready to hit, trying to barrel balls up, and quit worrying about the outcome. And just get out here and play and have fun.”
Kemp Alderman
Kemp sends a missile to the wall and we are tied! pic.twitter.com/StJfV8zFmu
— Ole Miss Baseball (@OleMissBSB) May 7, 2022
Kemp's feeling it tonight. pic.twitter.com/HurIfyZNE4
— Ole Miss Baseball (@OleMissBSB) May 7, 2022
Kemp parks a tank in the left field seats! pic.twitter.com/nGQZbQP4X4
— Ole Miss Baseball (@OleMissBSB) May 7, 2022
Second baseman Peyton Chatagnier also powered a solo home run in the win..
If it's fair it's gone.
Note: it was fair! pic.twitter.com/GYgSSQ19YX
— Ole Miss Baseball (@OleMissBSB) May 7, 2022
Other Rebels with RBIs include an RBI-single from Kevin Graham and an RBI-walk to T.J. McCants that came with the bases loaded.
That's good hittin', KG. pic.twitter.com/P5PTwSyInv
— Ole Miss Baseball (@OleMissBSB) May 7, 2022
Doing it with the glove
Speaking of Chatagnier and McCants, each made outstanding defensive contributions that robbed Missouri players of hits and keeping Tiger runs off the board.
“Having a defense like that behind you makes pitching a lot less stressful,” said Dougherty.
You wild @peytonchat5 🕸💎 pic.twitter.com/VnX6MJhPJB
— Ole Miss Baseball (@OleMissBSB) May 7, 2022
😱😱😱@mccants_tj | #HottyToddy pic.twitter.com/sNIldi61xS
— Ole Miss Baseball (@OleMissBSB) May 7, 2022
Go up and get it @mccants_tj! #NCAABaseball x 🎥 @OleMissBSB pic.twitter.com/eWxdR3oP3P
— NCAA Baseball (@NCAABaseball) May 7, 2022
Next Up for Ole Miss
The Rebels (25, 19, 8-14 SEC) look to shake off a run of bad luck in SEC game-twos as they send freshman lefty Hunter Elliott (1-3, 3.41 ERA, 53K, 16 BB) to the mound Saturday to face the Tigers (25-18, 7-15 SEC)
Missouri will start righty Spencer Miles (3-4, 6.75 ERA, 43K, 18 BB), with first pitch from Swayze scheduled for 6 p.m.
Hotty Toddy!
(Feature image 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.
