Ole Miss’ 14-6 win over A&M ties the series, rubber game set for Saturday
OXFORD, Miss. – On Friday night at Swayze, Ole Miss looked to even the series against Texas A&M. Following Thursday night’s 10-5 loss, a motivated Rebel lineup pounded A&M, 14-6, in game two in a contest where every Red and Blue starter scored.
The Rebels were without head coach Mike Bianco who was suspended for one game after being ejected in the ninth inning of Thursday’s game. Assistant coach Mike Clement served as head coach during the game.
Early and often was an understatement regarding scoring from the Ole Miss offense. Rebel hitters plated runs in every inning except the sixth.
“I think more than anything you see really good at-bats out of the bottom of the lineup,” said Ole Miss hitting coach Mike Clement.
“Chatagnier has been really good the last three weeks. Obviously Dunhurst has been really good. Those two guys in particular have really swung the bats and taken good at-bats and it’s really stretched out our line up to what we hoped we would be and what we have been in the past.”
Asst. Coach Mike Clement on at-bats from bottom of lineup
A first-inning sacrifice fly from team captain Tim Elko scored third baseman Justin Bench and got the Rebels on the board.
Red hot Ole Miss catcher Hayden Dunhurst singled home Hayden Leatherwood who doubled, and T.J. McCants drove home Dunhurst to tied the game at 3-3 in the second.
Hayden 👉 Hayden 👉 Home
Just like that, it's a 1-run game! pic.twitter.com/23fJR03za5
— Ole Miss Baseball (@OleMissBSB) May 21, 2022
TJ comes through and we've got a brand new ball game! pic.twitter.com/fUWi6oJiHx
— Ole Miss Baseball (@OleMissBSB) May 21, 2022
Rebel designated hitter Kemp Alderman put the Rebels ahead in the third with a one-out double that bounced over the Aggie short stop, scoring Tim Elko and Kevin Graham.
Kemp brings home two and Swayze is ROCKING! pic.twitter.com/7wQP12MxJ9
— Ole Miss Baseball (@OleMissBSB) May 21, 2022
The fourth inning saw three runs cross the plate for Ole Miss. Jacob Gonzalez scored Peyton Chatagnier with a single, and Graham plated Bench and Gonzalez.
“I don’t think anyone had any doubts about us coming out and playing well today,” Graham said. “We’re just playing well right now. It’s a fun place be and a fun place to be around.”
Shift: beaten 👍 pic.twitter.com/295dyvLS2Z
— Ole Miss Baseball (@OleMissBSB) May 21, 2022
Pouring it on! pic.twitter.com/MNoO6CHY8o
— Ole Miss Baseball (@OleMissBSB) May 21, 2022
The Rebels scored three more runs in the fifth when Bench singled, scoring Dunhurst and Chatagnier.
Graham produced a phenomenal 12-pitch at-bat single that allowed McCants to come home. Graham credited “Swayze getting into it” getting him through the at-bat.
We'll take those 2 runs right back! pic.twitter.com/GDdWne7wYd
— Ole Miss Baseball (@OleMissBSB) May 21, 2022
This Kevin Graham guy is pretty good, if you didn't know. pic.twitter.com/b1lmUMcqgx
— Ole Miss Baseball (@OleMissBSB) May 21, 2022
In the seventh inning, the long ball appeared for the Rebels for the first time of the weekend. Gonzalez launched his 15th home run of the year to lead off the inning.
Gonzo found a neat way to beat the shift. pic.twitter.com/th0toM0xjr
— Ole Miss Baseball (@OleMissBSB) May 21, 2022
Alderman then powered his ninth home run of the season into the student section which drove home Elko in the process.
Another one? Another one 😈 pic.twitter.com/Q8VxP6IwKc
— Ole Miss Baseball (@OleMissBSB) May 21, 2022
At the plate
Ole Miss recored 17 total hits in the win. Gonzalez and Graham tied with a team-high three hits apiece.
Alderman led the Rebels with four RBI. In a statistical anomaly, Elko was 0-for-1 with four walks and two runs scored. Another oddity was no player scored more than two runs.
On the mound
On the mound, starter Hunter Elliott traveled four-plus innings, giving up four runs on four hits and walking five. Elliott left the game with the Rebels up 8-3 being charged a run following his departure from the game.
His catcher, Dunhurst, praised Elliott for his moxie.
“Elliott did good,” Dunhurst said.
“He struggled in the first couple few innings, missed some spots and they got some big hits. Then after that he battled. They got a really good offense. They foul off a lot of pitches and have long at-bats. He just battle today and he didn’t have his best stuff but he battled in this one today.”
Hayden Dunhurst on Hunter Elliott
Elliott goes 1-2-3 in the 2nd, including this nasty piece. pic.twitter.com/7EGRmlB881
— Ole Miss Baseball (@OleMissBSB) May 21, 2022
Out. Of. The. Jam! pic.twitter.com/kUbIF4VojI
— Ole Miss Baseball (@OleMissBSB) May 21, 2022
In relief, Jack Washburn earned the win and improved to 5-2 on the year.
Josh Mallitz picked up his first save of the season, pitching the final 3 1/3 innings where he allowed just two hits, no walks and struck out four Aggies.
“His slider and his sinker fastball have been electric,” Dunhurst said of Mallitz.
“I think he hit 96 mph the other day. He was throwing 95 today. He’s gained some velo and his slider has gotten better. It’s a good overlay that’s tough on hitters.“
Hayden Dunhurst on Josh Mallitz
Mallitz is officially feeling it. pic.twitter.com/CDNs2jFfX6
— Ole Miss Baseball (@OleMissBSB) May 21, 2022
Next Up for Ole Miss:
The Rebels hope to take the series from Texas A&M Saturday at 1:30 p.m. on “Senior Day,” the regular-season finale for both teams.
The A&M pitcher has not been announced, while Ole Miss will go with junior Derek Diamond (4-4, 6.33 ERA, 52 strikeouts and 11 walks).
Hotty Toddy!
(Feature image credit: Josh McCoy, Ole Miss)
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.
