Diamond Rebels drop game one to Maryland, 9-2
OXFORD, Miss. – A rainy Friday evening put a two-hour delay on game one of the top-15 matchup this weekend in Oxford between Ole Miss and Maryland. The Rebels struggled offensively, the Terrapins not so much in a 9-2 contest which was the first Ole Miss loss of the young season. This was the first of four straight games the teams will play each other.
On the Mound
Junior RHP Jack Dougherty got the starting Friday night bid in place of the injured Hunter Elliott. Jack is no stranger to starting on the bump; his last start was the longest perfect-game bid in Omaha since the expansion of the CWS. The righty sat down the Terrapins in order for a quick 1-2-3 inning to start game 1.
A quick 1-2-3 inning for @JackDougherty7 🔥 pic.twitter.com/E7lWJB5A4R
— Ole Miss Baseball (@OleMissBSB) February 25, 2023
After allowing two hits and a walk, a SAC fly plated the first run for Maryland. The next Terrapin hitter had runners on the corners, driving in a run from third off a fielder’s choice. Dougherty eventually worked his way out of the jam, stranding two runners and leaving it at a two-run lead for Maryland through two and a half.
The top of the third saw Jack settle back in, making quick work of the Terrapins and ending the inning on a 5-6-3 double play courtesy of the shift.
Mid 3 | 5-6-3 double play to get out of the top half of the third.
Maryland 2, Ole Miss 1 pic.twitter.com/mqn5Ie4zHq
— Ole Miss Baseball (@OleMissBSB) February 25, 2023
A lead-off double for the Terrapins eventually plated another run for Maryland, marking the end of the night for Jack Dougherty. He lasted 4 innings, walking two, striking out three and allowing three runs off six hits. Replacing him at the top of the fourth was Mitch Murrell.
After the game, Coach Bianco talked about Jack’s outing.
“I think Jack would admit, very average stuff tonight….just put himself in some bad counts and some bad positions out there. And they were able to get a couple runs on him.”
Coach Bianco
Murrell, a senior Mississippi native, walked one and struck out two in the top of the 5th to strand Maryland baserunners on the corners. The Rebs still trailed, 3-1.
BIG K for @Mitch_Murrell 🔥 pic.twitter.com/eCeFYY5bPs
— Ole Miss Baseball (@OleMissBSB) February 25, 2023
Murrell’s final line included striking out three, walking one, and allowing three hits with no runs scored. Two innings of work is all Murrell was asked for, and he was eventually replaced by freshman Jordan Vera.
Vera took over with nobody out and runners in scoring position in the top of the seventh. After walking the first hitter and loading the bases, a grand slam from the Maryland clean-up hitter cleared the bases. Another run came around to score after a single from the Terrapins, putting an end to Jordan’s night after a third of an inning.
Brayden Jones came out of the pen to replace him, taking over with one out and a runner on 1st. Jones loaded the bases, eventually stranding them and leaving it at 8-1 Terrapins through six-and-a-half.
Following a walk and a bunt single, Maryland plated another run off a SAC fly to left field, extending the lead to 9-2 heading to the bottom half of the eighth.
Freshman righty Cole Ketchum was the fifth and final pitcher in what was a tough night for the Rebel pitching staff. Maryland racked up 13 hits and 9 runs off the Ole Miss staff Friday night.
Coach Bianco commented on the bullpen production postgame.
“Not good, I thought Murrell pitched okay, but you can’t give up six runs in the last three innings, obviously. And you can’t give up a five spot in any inning and expect to win a baseball game.”
Coach Bianco
At the Plate
Rebel catcher Calvin Harris was the first baserunner for Ole Miss, singling through the left side of the infield, eventually taking 2nd and 3rd on wild pitches.
Harris then scored off a groundout from Rebel first baseman Anthony Calarco, making it 2-1 Maryland after two played.
B2 | Harris singles and makes his way around the bases to score.
Maryland 2, Ole Miss 1 pic.twitter.com/7bsMiH8IdE
— Ole Miss Baseball (@OleMissBSB) February 25, 2023
Calarco was just the second Ole Miss hitter of the night to record a hit, only to eventually be stranded out at second base heading into sixth.
The Rebel first baseman collected another hit with 2 down in the bottom of the seventh, doubling down the line. Calarco then scored on a single from Will Furniss, who advanced to second on an error by the second baseman. Ole Miss was back on the board, but still trailing, 8-2, going into the eighth.
In the game, the Rebels struggled offensively for the first time this year, only recording six base knocks on the night and zero walks drawn.
Maryland starter Savacool gave the Ole Miss lineup fits all night with seven innings of work and nine strikeouts. Calarco talked about the Terrapin starter after the game.
“Familar arm, it was my third time facing him from the Big 10, really good sinker guy…just kinda late movement which is hard to see when you’re warming up and that is one of the reasons he has so much success.”
Anthony Calarco on Maryland starter Savacool
Calarco, Harris and Furniss were the only three Rebels to collect hits on the night.
Up Next
The Rebs will be back in action Saturday against Maryland for game two. First pitch at Swayze is set for 1:30 pm with Grayson Saunier taking the mound for his second start.
(Feature image credit: Josh McCoy, Ole Miss)
Kameron Wicker
Kam is a senior at Ole Miss, currently pursuing a degree in Journalism. Even though he's from Delhi, Louisiana, that didn't stop Kam from growing up a diehard Ole Miss fan. He's a sports guru who watches and follows all sports at all times. He lettered four years in football and baseball in high school and is an avid Saints, Pelicans, and Astros fan. In his free time, you can find him watching sports or at the rec participating in them.
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