Midweek Preview: Diamond Rebs Welcome Austin Peay To Oxford

OXFORD, Miss. – The saying goes, “everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth.” Well, that’s exactly what happened to Ole Miss over the weekend, as the Tennessee Volunteers pummeled Rebel pitching for 35 runs in three games, run-ruling the Rebels twice in a series victory.

Liam Doyle was a bright spot for Ole Miss, picking up his second consecutive 10-strikeout-game as the Rebs avoided the sweep with a Saturday 8-5 win.

Now it’s time to pick themselves up off the mat and get back to business with a feisty Austin Peay Governors team coming to Oxford on Tuesday, and Kentucky in town for the weekend.

Hello, Governor(s)

This Austin Peay squad isn’t your usual midweek foe. This is a team that enters the night at 15-8, and has defeated Mississippi State twice and Auburn once this year. Ole Miss leads the all-time series 19-2, but the Rebels will need to be careful not to sleepwalk through this one.

The Governors have a prolific offense, hitting .335 as a team, and they have scored 10 or more runs in 12 of their 23 games. Austin Peay has smacked 49 home runs, led by the duo of Lyle Miller-Green and John Bay. Miller-Green has 13 bombs with 35 RBI, while Bay has added 11 homers and 31 RBI’s of his own.

Lake Braddock (Va.) product Lyle Miller-Green having himself a night (and a season) with 2 RBI single and his 4th homer in 5 games. Hitting .417 and 1-0 on the Mound for Austin Peay @lmg1332 pic.twitter.com/A9FPqKUET9

— Theron Bell ⚾️ (@theronbell16) February 22, 2024

LYLE MILLER-GREEN OH MY GOD

117MPH OFF THE BAT AND 485FT TO DEAD CENTER 🚨🚨🚨🚨 pic.twitter.com/HugHpj7U9s

— 11Point7 College Baseball (@11point7) March 17, 2024

📹 Walk Off Winner! @John_Bay10 sends #Stacheville home happy with his 11th homer of 2024! #LetsGoPeay | #⃣🅱️🅰️🅰️🆖 pic.twitter.com/DG0FlcgVoO

— Austin Peay Baseball (@GovsBSB) March 23, 2024

Miller-Green is also 9-9 on stolen bases, leading the Governors in that category as well. Jon Jon Gazdar leads the team in average, batting .410 on the season.

The Rebels will have a good opportunity against the Governors on the mound. Austin Peay has a team ERA of 7.10, and has given up 10 or more runs in six games this season. Adam Walker will get the start against the Rebels. Walker comes in with a 4.66 ERA on the year in 9.2 innings. He has struck out 17 and walked 12, and has yet to allow a home run.

Rebound Rebs

Though the weekend in Knoxville didn’t go how Ole Miss would have liked, the sky is not falling and there is a lot of season left. Austin Peay on Tuesday and Kentucky for the weekend in Oxford offer some golden opportunities for the Rebels to get back on track.

Entering the contest, the Rebels are 17-8, 3-3 in SEC play. They are hitting .280 as a team with 41 home runs on the season. Andrew Fischer continues to be on an absolute tear, leading the team with 11 homers, including two mammoth blasts in Knoxville over the weekend.

OVER THE SCOREBOARD 🤯@sirfischer3 | SECN+ pic.twitter.com/e7IRqYJ2sj

— Ole Miss Baseball (@OleMissBSB) March 23, 2024

ANDREW FISCHER OVER THE SCOREBOARD AGAIN 🤯🤯@sirfischer3 | SECN+ pic.twitter.com/NEMb8XmRmT

— Ole Miss Baseball (@OleMissBSB) March 23, 2024

Brayden Randle also had himself a weekend, getting his first two career bombs in Knoxville. Treyson Hughes also continues to steadily improve, as his average is up to .269 on the season through two SEC series.

As for pitching, there are two words: Liam Doyle. The Coastal Carolina transfer has quickly evolved into the ace for this staff, posting back-to-back 10-strikeout games in conference play, settling in nicely to SEC baseball.

TEN Ks, one hit allowed through six for @DoyleL22 😳

📺 SECN+ pic.twitter.com/U64ZKxYMMo

— Ole Miss Baseball (@OleMissBSB) March 23, 2024

His outings have now affectionately become known as “Doyle Day,” strikingly reminiscent of a former Rebel favorite, Doug Nikhazy and his “Doug Day” performances.

After the weekend in Knoxville, head coach Mike Bianco announced some major changes to the pitching rotation. Usual midweek starter Riley Maddox has been moved into the Friday night role for the upcoming series against Kentucky, while Gunnar Dennis will take Sunday. Maddox will be replaced on Tuesday night by Kyler Carmack, who will make his first midweek start for the Rebs. Carmack enters the night with an ERA of 6.00 in six innings pitched, with seven strikeouts and eight walks.

Looking Ahead

Tuesday’s game is set for a 6:30 PM first pitch on the SEC Network+. The Rebels will look to improve to 6-1 in midweek games on the season. Stay tuned to The Rebel Walk for all the action.