Is there anything Kemp Alderman can’t do? Rebel outfielder hits monster home run, then pitches a scoreless ninth inning
OXFORD, Miss. — Wednesday night at Swayze Field against Alcorn State, Ole Miss outfielder Kemp Alderman provided the relief — literally — that the Rebel baseball team may have been needing.
Sure, the Ole Miss outfielder hit a for-him-routine home run literally over the batter’s eye en route to a 13-4 Rebel win.
"What batter's eye?" – @KempAlderman pic.twitter.com/OGdEYazRCP
— Ole Miss Baseball (@OleMissBSB) April 13, 2023
But he also faced four batters in the ninth and struck three of them out. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, Kemp Alderman can also pitch.
But taking the bump is not new for Kemp. Back in the 2020 recruiting class, head coach Mike Bianco and staff actually recruited the Newton County Academy product as a two-way player.
It didn’t quite work out for Alderman on the mound during his first year in Oxford.
“I didn’t pitch well that fall (of his freshman year). They said that I had a lot on my platter and being a freshman, I didn’t handle it the right way trying to do both.”
Kemp Alderman on his first season in Oxford
Last season, Alderman helped lead the Rebels to a College World Series championship and his pitching was not needed.
This year, however, that is not the case. The Rebels’ pitching staff has depth issues with Hunter Elliott, Riley Maddox, and Josh Mallitz already out and Brayden Jones (forearm) and Mitch Murrell (back) unable to play right now.
With a depleted pitching staff, assistant coach Carl Lafferty texted Alderman Monday to tell the junior he would be throwing bullpen that day.
“They just wanted to have another option and see how I threw,” Alderman said after his team’s win.
“After I threw bullpen, coach said that I would be throwing the game on Wednesday. Be ready. If there’s anything I can do to help this team, I will.”
Kemp Alderman
And help his team he did, first via his monster leadoff home run in the seventh inning. But then, when his number was called to take the mound in the ninth inning, Alderman delivered again.
He led off with a strikeout, hitting 94 miles per hour on the gun.
No, this is not a simulation! @KempAlderman is really on the mound! 🤯 pic.twitter.com/BjwcsMn1mC
— Ole Miss Baseball (@OleMissBSB) April 13, 2023
Was he surprised by his velocity? ”I try not to look,” Alderman explained. “In high school, I was like 90-94, topping out at 95. I told myself when I ran out of the bullpen I wouldn’t look back at the scoreboard,” he added.
The second batter drew a walk from Alderman. But he rebounded, getting the third batter to go down swinging on a fastball away at 92 mph. Then, he got the final batter of the frame to go down swinging.
🚪 SLAMMED SHUT by @KempAlderman pic.twitter.com/S2qCHkFd2t
— Ole Miss Baseball (@OleMissBSB) April 13, 2023
Alderman’s final line for the night includes 1.0 innings pitched, one walk, three strikeouts, and 21 total pitches, 12 of which were strikes. He currently owns a 0.00 ERA.
How does Kemp feel his night went?
“It went pretty good. I didn’t know how it would be throwing strikes for the first time. I couldn’t feel my legs when I went out there and there’s 40 people in the crowd. First time pitching since high school, I was pumped up. It went pretty good, I’d like to throw more balls in the strike zone.”
Kemp Alderman on his first collegiate pitching action
Coach Bianco on Alderman
After the game, Coach Bianco was asked about what led to Alderman’s pitching.
“Obviously we haven’t pitched it well,” Coach Bianco began. “Kemp was a guy we recruited to do both, like Mason (Morris)…You have injuries and guys that don’t have success and you’re searching and you’re looking at this week, and we said, ‘Hey, let’s run him out there.'”
The Rebel skipper was certainly pleased with what he saw.
“I didn’t know it would be that impressive. Proud of him.”
Coach Bianco on Alderman
His teammates, on the other hand, had some fun rating Kemp’s performance after the game.
Rate @KempAlderman's pitching performance. 🧐 pic.twitter.com/fb3Ao21h4N
— Ole Miss Baseball (@OleMissBSB) April 13, 2023
Could we see more of Kemp on the mound? “That would be a nice piece if he can continue to do that,” Bianco said, smiling.
On the night, Jordan Vera earns the win for the Rebels as he pitched 5.0 innings, gave up two hits, three runs, walked three and struck out four.
Next Up
Ole Miss travels to Starkville for a Friday-Sunday series against Mississippi State. First pitch Friday is set for 6:00 p.m. (CT).
(Feature image credit courtesy of Ole Miss Baseball)
Evelyn Van Pelt
Evelyn has covered sports for over two decades, beginning her journalism career as a sports writer for a newspaper in Austin, Texas. She attended Texas A&M and majored in English. Evelyn’s love for Ole Miss began when her daughter Katie attended the university on a volleyball scholarship. Evelyn created the Rebel Walk in 2013 and has served as publisher and managing editor since its inception.
