After two outstanding performances, Ole Miss pitcher Grayson Saunier named SEC Freshman of the Week
OXFORD, Miss. — Ole Miss pitcher Grayson Saunier came up with what could be his finest collegiate outing to date and did so at a time his Rebels needed it the most — and the Southeastern Conference has taken note.
After a career-best performance Sunday against Georgia in just his third conference start, Saunier was named SEC Freshman of the Week Monday.
#SECBSB Weekly Honors
Freshman of the WeekGrayson Saunier • @OleMissBSB
🔗 https://t.co/MIdp6D0IJD pic.twitter.com/liB1ZyMxU5
— Southeastern Conference (@SEC) May 1, 2023
Just five days after he thew 70 pitches and looked strong against Mississippi State in the Governor’s Cup, Saunier went out and topped that with an outstanding game against Georgia in the rubber match of the series Sunday.
In his two games last week, Saunier allowed just one total earned run and gave up only five hits over 9.2 innings of work. He issued just two walks while striking out 10 hitters and holding opponents to a .147 batting average.
Saunier’s 10 strikeouts were tied for the most in the SEC during the week.
The true freshman’s final line against Georgia included six complete innings of work, one run, just two hits, no walks and six strikeouts in the Rebels’ 8-7 walk-off victory.
Against Georgia, the right-hander retired the first 10 batters he faced and 15 of the first 16. His six innings were a career high and his six strikeouts were the second-highest total in his career. It was also the first time in his career that he had not issued a walk in a start.
Froze 'em
🥶 @GraysonSaunier pic.twitter.com/tcdDk2kL4U
— Ole Miss Baseball (@OleMissBSB) April 30, 2023
Saunier has allowed just one earned run in three of his last four starts and one or fewer in five starts this season.
“I got ahead early and did that well and had a lot of first pitch strikes. I just had to compete, go right at them and let everything else take care of itself. I think if I didn’t throw too many pitches on Tuesday (in the Governor’s Cup), I think I would’ve gone out there for at least one more.“
Grayson Saunier
Only four times in the Rebels’ 21 SEC games this season has an Ole Miss starting pitcher gone a complete six innings, and one of those now belongs to Saunier.
“He’s been good with the slider and the off-speed pitches. (This was his) best fastball day, command-wise. He was able to locate on a tough day to pitch,” Bianco said.
“… He was terrific. He was also good on Tuesday against Mississippi State down in Pearl on 70 pitches. Good two starts for him and that bodes well for us.”
Coach Bianco on Grayson Saunier’s week
There could not have been more of a “must-win” situation than Grayson and the Rebels faced against Georgia in the rubber game. Ole Miss is in a battle to make it to the SEC Tournament and every win is nothing short of critical.
After the win, Ole Miss sits at 5-16 in league play and 23-21 overall. Georgia falls to 24-20 and 8-13. Currently, the Rebs are in a 13th-place tie with Missouri in the SEC and a game (and tiebreaker) behind Mississippi State for 12th. Twelve teams advance to the SEC Tournament — so Sunday’s victory could play a huge role in determining Ole Miss’ postseason fate.
Fortunately, Saunier was up to the challenge. He looked confident and was in command of all four of his pitches en route to delivering a masterful outing.
Through his first three innings Sunday, Saunier stayed unhittable. In fact, the highly-touted freshman kept the Bulldogs off the bases entirely through three played.
En garde
⚔️ @GraysonSaunier pic.twitter.com/bPPcjRmB5d
— Ole Miss Baseball (@OleMissBSB) April 30, 2023
Saunier left the game with a 5-1 lead after the sixth, courtesy in part from three home runs from shortstop Jacob Gonzalez, third baseman Ethan Lege and second baseman Peyton Chatagnier.
After the game, Saunier was asked what he has learned thus far this season.
“I’d say I’ve had a lot of adversity. Just learning how to keep battling, keep working everyday. Just keep pushing and keep believing.”
Ole Miss pitcher Grayson Saunier
Fortunately for Ole Miss, Saunier is hitting his stride just in time for the stretch run in league play.
Next Up
Ole Miss hosts Little Rock Tuesday morning at 11 a.m. inn the annual Kids’ Day game before then traveling to Missouri this weekend for another critical three-game series.
Hotty Toddy!
(Feature image credit: Josh McCoy, Ole Miss)
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.
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