Gamer: Ole Miss defeats Delaware, 11-2, in season opener at Swayze

OXFORD, Miss. — Following an unforgettable 2022 season, the title defense began Friday for defending national champion Ole Miss at Swayze as the Rebels hosted Delaware in game one of the series. The Rebels opened the season with an 11-2 win over the Blue Hens. 

(Click here for box score.)

Pregame festivities

Leading up to the game, there was an air of excitement around town with a number of championship celebration activities planned throughout the weekend. 

Friday’s festivities included a mini-national championship trophy giveaway, an on-field recognition with former players Ben Van Cleve, Hayden Dunhurst, Derek Diamond, and Hayden Leatherwood. The Captain, Tim Elko, threw out the first pitch, and the national championship logo was unveiled on the outfield wall.

Statue isn't ready yet, so you'll have to settle for the real @TimElko. pic.twitter.com/6yO3Teshjw

— Ole Miss Baseball (@OleMissBSB) February 17, 2023

On the mound

In the win, sophomore pitcher Hunter Elliott picked up where he left off last year. Through three innings, he was perfect as he went through the Blue Hen lineup in order with five strikeouts. The Tupelo native was aided by a defensive “web gem” turned in by left fielder Kemp Alderman who ranged toward the left line, slid and secured the out.

Elliott’s night was done after five complete. In total, he struck out nine, allowed just one walk, gave up three hits and allowed two earned runs. 

“He was special,” said head coach Mike Bianco of his ace. “Outside of a couple of pitches that inning (the 4^th inning) he was tremendous,” Bianco added. 

Elliott talked after the game about his outing. “Everything was working early,” he said. 

Hunter Elliott on his game vs. Delaware

Elliott was also pleased with the development of his breaking ball, describing it as a “real weapon…to lefties and righties.”

Right back at it! @elliotthunter10 strikes out the side for nine Ks on the day. pic.twitter.com/Y8Fu5PYKkZ

— Ole Miss Baseball (@OleMissBSB) February 17, 2023

Bianco was also pleased with the relief outings from J.T. Quinn, Mitch Murrell, and Matt Parenteau, noting they did well working out of trouble after allowing runners on base a couple of times.  

“Those are all building blocks that will help us down the road,” Bianco said of his relief pitchers getting out of jams.

At the plate

Offensively, two innings stood out for Ole Miss, the second and the eighth. Transfer Anthony Calarco knocked in the first Rebel run of the year with an infield single up the middle into the shift.

The Rebs are on the board for 2023 courtesy of @antcalarco! pic.twitter.com/yRa5NmF9ce

— Ole Miss Baseball (@OleMissBSB) February 17, 2023

With Ethan Lege at third and Calarco at first, senior Peyton Chatagnier would deliver a home run just to the right of the expanded batter’s eye at Swayze — much to the delight of the packed student section.

First Swayze Shower of 2023 ➡️ @peytonchat5 pic.twitter.com/FFwRA5tG8r

— Ole Miss Baseball (@OleMissBSB) February 17, 2023

The RBI parade continued with Ethan Groff’s RBI groundout to shortstop and Alderman’s RBI single to center.  In total, Ole Miss plated six runs in the second inning. 

In the third inning, Chatagnier added his fourth RBI of the game on a sacrifice fly to right field that scored Lege.

Quality pitching from the visiting Blue Hens would hold Ole Miss off the scoreboard in innings four through seven, but the eighth inning was a different story.

After the first two Rebel batters were retired, junior T.J. McCants carried forward a hot streak at the plate that began in Hattiesburg and continued in Omaha as he sent a scorcher over the right center wall on a 2-0 hitters count.  

Let There Be Light pic.twitter.com/0gCdB6TAHU

— Ole Miss Baseball (@OleMissBSB) February 18, 2023

Then, in his first at-bat as an Ole Miss Rebel, highly touted Will Furniss deposited his first hit in the form of a home run into the Ole Miss bullpen.  

FIRST CAREER AB BOMB FOR @WillFurniss pic.twitter.com/bY3ZL63Clj

— Ole Miss Baseball (@OleMissBSB) February 18, 2023

Jacob Gonzalez extended the inning with a single, allowing Groff to pound the Rebels third home run of the inning and fourth of the game. The after-sunset home runs provided fans a wonderful opportunity to enjoy the new addition of LED lights and the accompanying light show at Swayze.

THIRD homer of the inning! @ethangroff12 with his first bomb as a Rebel. pic.twitter.com/Kqh4ETuVRv

— Ole Miss Baseball (@OleMissBSB) February 18, 2023

Chatagnier was asked about Furniss’ home run. 

Peyton Chatagnier on Will Furniss’ home run

Chatagnier was impressed with all the first-year Rebs. “They all did great,” he said of Furniss, Lege, Groff and Calarco. 

Next Up for Ole Miss

The series against Delaware continues Saturday at 12:00 noon.  Freshman right-handed pitcher Grayson Saunier will start his first game for the Red and Blue opposite Delaware junior righty Nate Rolka. In 2022, Rolka tallied 12 appearances with a 3.18 ERA with 11.1 innings pitched.

Hotty Toddy!