Rebels’ Winning Streak Ends Behind Three-Homer Game from Aggies

OXFORD, Miss. – Seven runs from the Aggies through the first two innings and three more late insurance runs would be all that was needed as No. 6 Texas A&M (34-16, 18-10 SEC) defeated Ole Miss (31-20, 13-15 SEC) 10-5 in the series opener Thursday night. Dylan DeLucia managed less than two full innings in the short-rest outing.

Rough Start

The Aggies were barreling DeLucia up from the start, scoring three runs off of five hits in the first inning. In the second, the Aggies kept the pressure on by loading the bases with two outs.

DeLucia looked to be out of the inning on a fly ball to right, but Hayden Leatherwood couldn’t bring it in and the Aggies tacked on two more runs to lead 5-0. Jack Dougherty would replace DeLucia after just 1.2 innings and 56 pitches.

The Aggies weren’t done as they promptly welcomed Dougherty to the game with a two-RBI single to make it 7-0.

Clawing Back 

The Rebels got their first baserunner of the game in their half of the second after Leatherwood reached first on a strikeout that got away. TJ McCants would follow with a single for the Rebels’ first hit of the game.

After Peyton Chatagnier walked, the stage was set for Hayden Dunhurst with the bases loaded and two away. The catcher delivered, smoking a bases-clearing double into the gap to make the score 7-3.

Bases. Cleared.@Hayden_Dunhurst | #HottyToddy pic.twitter.com/UIzsM8vHPl

— Ole Miss Baseball (@OleMissBSB) May 20, 2022

Quieting Down 

After the explosive first third of contest, Dougherty settled in and kept the Aggies off the board in the fourth.

Jack shuts the door. pic.twitter.com/woTOc2zFQi

— Ole Miss Baseball (@OleMissBSB) May 20, 2022

But the Rebels wouldn’t go so quietly in their half. With two outs, Dunhurst roped a single and Justin Bench showed off his wheels with an RBI triple to make it 7-4, Ags.

Bench hits the gap to score another run! pic.twitter.com/A9yHtR4PK2

— Ole Miss Baseball (@OleMissBSB) May 20, 2022

Out of the Frying Pan, Into the Fire 

Dougherty would find himself in trouble in the top of the fifth as the Aggies loaded the bases with just one down. That would be the end of Jack’s night and Mason Nichols would replace him. Mason would record back-to-back strikeouts to escape and leave the bases full of Aggies.

Now FREEZE! 🥶 pic.twitter.com/Lp6kOLwwIo

— Ole Miss Baseball (@OleMissBSB) May 20, 2022

Inning ending sword! ⚔️ pic.twitter.com/VvDmR5GRd3

— Ole Miss Baseball (@OleMissBSB) May 20, 2022

Nichols would continue his great outing through the sixth, recording four strikeouts in five batters faced. In the Rebel sixth, Justin Bench tacked on another run with a hard hit RBI single to bring Ole Miss within two runs.

JB takes one the other way and it's a 2-run ballgame! pic.twitter.com/0FGczsplSH

— Ole Miss Baseball (@OleMissBSB) May 20, 2022

Aggies Stem the Tide 

After the Rebels cut the deficit to two, the Aggies would load the bases in the top of the eighth.

With one out, new Rebel pitcher John Gaddis induced a shallow pop up down the first base line and Peyton Chatagnier made a great running catch, but the A&M baserunner scored as the throw home arrived a little too late, making it 8-5 Aggies with just six outs for the Rebels to work with.

The Comeback Falls Short, Tempers Flare

The Rebels had two on and two out in the home portion of the eighth with Jacob Gonzalez at the plate, but a little blooper right into the shift would end the threat. That would be the last time the Rebels would threaten.

The Aggies added back-to-back homers in the ninth to make it 10-5. After Dylan Rock’s home run increased the lead to five, the Aggie left fielder exchanged words with Peyton Chatagnier which led to head coach Mike Bianco leaving the dugout.

Pitcher John Gaddis promptly threw behind the next batter he faced and was ejected, along with Bianco, as tensions boiled over. The Aggies would finish off the victory in the ninth.

Note on Suspension

Richard Cross reports Bianco will be suspended for Friday’s game following the ejection, while Gaddis will miss four games; however, Ole Miss baseball indicates they are awaiting word from the league office about Bianco’s possible suspension.

“I’m not real sure, if I’m being honest with you,” assistant coach Carl Lafferty said about the possible suspension after the game. “I’m going to go find out inside.”

Next Up:

The Rebels will look to get back in the win column Friday night with the first pitch scheduled for 7:00 p.m. CT.