Ethan Groff dominates at Cambria College Classic, takes home MVP title

OXFORD, Miss. — This past weekend Ole Miss baseball finished 3-0 in the Cambria College Classic in Minneapolis, Minnesota, winning the championship as the Rebels defeated three Big Ten teams: Maryland, Minnesota and Nebraska. Centerfielder Ethan Groff was a key part of the wins. 

Ole Miss put up an impressive offensive performance while also pitching exceptionally well, outscoring their opponents 28-13 during the tournament. 

Groff led the way offensively, going 7-14 with a double, a home run, eight RBI and two stolen bases over the course of the weekend. He was named tournament MVP and his performance during the three games has earned him The Rebel Walk’s Player of the Weekend

Game One vs. Maryland

With the game tied 1-1, a runner on first and two outs in the top of the fifth inning, Groff homered to center field giving Ole Miss a 3-1 lead over the Terrapins. 

.@ethangroff12 sends a moon shot over the wall in center field to give the Rebels a 3-1 lead!🚀

Live on @BigTenPlus pic.twitter.com/SBz9oCNnMG

— Ole Miss Baseball (@OleMissBSB) March 3, 2023

Then in the top of the ninth, he would bring the Rebels’ lead to 5-1 with another clutch, two-out hit, this time a single. 

.@ethangroff12 comes up big in the top of the ninth to drive in two runs for the Rebels! 🧨

Live on @BigTenPlus pic.twitter.com/6frcsa8dTV

— Ole Miss Baseball (@OleMissBSB) March 3, 2023

The Red and Blue would hang on to the four-run lead in the bottom of the ninth, beating Maryland 5-1, and Groff was a key part of the win. 

Game Two vs. Minnesota

In the top of the first inning, Groff drew a walk with one out. He proceeded to steal second before he scored the first run of the contest on an Anthony Calarco single. 

Then with Ole Miss trailing 5-4 in the top of the seventh, Groff led off the frame with a single to left field. He later came around to score on another Calarco single that scored two, putting the Rebs up 6-5. 

Groff’s second hit of the game came in the top of the eighth on a single through the left side. He advanced Jacob Gonzalez to second and they each would move up a base on a wild pitch. Kemp Alderman then drove in Gonzalez from third on a sacrifice fly, putting Ole Miss ahead by two runs, 7-5. 

The Rebs notched their second win of the weekend over Minnesota by a score of 9-5.

Game Three vs. Nebraska

The third and final game of the weekend saw Ole Miss jump on the Cornhuskers early. The Rebels went on to score eight runs in the bottom of the first inning, all scored with two outs. 

Groff made two plate appearances in the opening frame. His first resulted in a hit by pitch. He later would come around to score the game’s first run on, yet again, another Calarco single. 

Groff would come up to bat for a second time in the first inning, and this time with the bases loaded and two outs, he cleared the bases, driving in three runs on a double to right center field bringing the Rebs’ lead to 8-0.

CLEAR. THE. BASES. @ethangroff12

Ole Miss 8, Nebraska 0
Live on @BigTenPlus pic.twitter.com/PUjW5QCMVA

— Ole Miss Baseball (@OleMissBSB) March 5, 2023

In the bottom of the third, Groff drew a walk and stole second base, bringing his stolen base total to seven. 

Groff singled in the fifth and later came around to score on an Alderman single. In the seventh, he would drive in his fourth run of the game on a groundout to shortstop, pushing Ole Miss’ lead to 11-4. 

In his final at bat of the weekend, Groff singled in the bottom of the eighth. 

Ole Miss finished off Nebraska, 14-5, and was crowned as champions of the Cambria College Classic.

Purple Reign 👑 pic.twitter.com/cRzDAb2qwe

— Ole Miss Baseball (@OleMissBSB) March 5, 2023

Up next

We look forward to seeing the Rebels return to Oxford for a four-game home stand this week. 

The Rebels will take on Southern Miss on Tuesday, March 7th at 6:30 p.m. and welcome Purdue for a three-game series starting Friday, March 10th at 6;30 pm followed by 1:30 pm start times both on Saturday, March 11th and Sunday, March 12th.

Stay tuned to The Rebel Walk for all your Ole Miss Baseball coverage. Hotty Toddy!