Jack Dougherty, Ethan Groff lead Rebels to 5-1 win over Maryland in tournament opener
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. — Ole Miss baseball hit the road for the first time since winning the national championship, traveling to Minneapolis to compete in the Cambria College Classic against three different teams from the Big 10. First up on Friday afternoon was last weekend’s opponent, Maryland, and the Rebels picked up where they left off, defeating the Terrapins, 5-1, in the opening game.
This was the fourth time in eight days Ole Miss played Maryland. It offered the Rebs and starter Jack Dougherty the opportunity to respond against the Terps and their ace, Jason Savacool, who earned the 9-2 win over Ole Miss at Swayze in game one last Friday.
Friday’s contest was the first game of the tourney for each team, with the Rebels serving as the visitors. In the top of the second inning, Rebel left fielder Kemp Alderman continued his hot streak at the plate, torching a “no-doubt” home run to right field.
Alderman now has increased his 2023 home run total to a team-high five long balls.
BOOM! @KempAlderman gets the Rebels on the board first with a bomb!💣 pic.twitter.com/ntIPOLceQ9
— Ole Miss Baseball (@OleMissBSB) March 3, 2023
Outside of Dougherty’s legendary start in game one of the College World Series Championship Series versus Oklahoma — where he was perfect through five complete — this was his best starting outing.
The junior registered a career-long start with six full innings pitched and tied his career high in strikeouts with seven.
Coach Bianco praised his starter after the game.
“Jack obviously is our best arm and gave us a great opportunity. I thought the difference tonight, he was able to make some big pitches and get of the field. They had a couple innings where they had runners and they were making a run at us, but he was able to get off field. Sometimes in a game like, that’s the difference.”
Ole Miss head coach Mike Bianco on Dougherty
Dougherty allowed just a single Maryland run on three hits and three walks and earned the win to improve to 1-1 on the year.
.@JackDougherty7 is rolling with four strikeouts through two innings!⚡️ pic.twitter.com/pkbK4nuhfm
— Ole Miss Baseball (@OleMissBSB) March 3, 2023
.@JackDougherty7 is putting in work as he sits down two batters for 6 Ks in the bottom of the third!
Live on @BigTenPlus pic.twitter.com/EyBXOYdVdN
— Ole Miss Baseball (@OleMissBSB) March 3, 2023
The offensive star for Ole Miss was Tulane transfer Ethan Groff. He went 2-for-5 and truly made his two hits count with a two-run home run to deep center field in the fifth inning that put the Rebels ahead for good.
He would add two insurance runs in the ninth inning when he singled home Reagan Buford and Peyton Chatagnier. The Orlando, Florida native ended the game with a duplication of his season-high four RBIs that he had last Saturday against Maryland.
Bianco talked about the immediate impact of Groff and the other transfers.
“Any time you bring a transfer in and an older guy, you don’t have a lot of time for them to fit in or mesh…you bring them in to make an immediate impact. He’s (Groff) done that. Calarco, Lege and him, they’ve all done that.”
Ole Miss head coach Mike Bianco on Groff and transfers
.@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
.@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
Mason Nichols recorded the save for the Rebels. He threw the last 2 2/3 innings, allowing no runs and no hits, with just baserunners on his stat line.
The righty wiggled out of a one-out bases-load jam in the seventh inning with a strikeout and a fly out to centerfield.
“He’s our best bullet at the end of the game….knew he was our best shot, obviously, and he delivered. He was terrific. Again, like Jack, he just continued to make the big pitch when he needed to.”
Coach Bianco on Mason Nichols
.@masonichols11 sits down the final batter of the inning to send the Rebels back up to the dish.
Live on @BigTenPlus pic.twitter.com/zt7PrQ30I3
— Ole Miss Baseball (@OleMissBSB) March 3, 2023
In the end, it was all Rebels with a final score of 5-1 for the Red and Blue.
Next Up for Ole Miss
The Rebels continue their participation in the Cambria College Classic Saturday night against Minnesota (0-8 prior to Friday’s action).
Ole Miss will throw freshman Grayson Saunier (1-0, 1.35 ERA, 6.2 innings pitched, 9 strikeouts). Minnesota will counter with sophomore Sam Malec (0-2, 6.52 ERA, 9.2 innings pitched 10 strikeouts)
Game time from US Bank Stadium is 7:00 p.m.
(Feature image credit: Ole Miss Baseball)
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.
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