(Photo by: Evan Turner)
Head Coach Mike Biano talks with Henri Lartigue and Brady Bramlett during Friday’s game against Auburn.
Brady Bramlett and Cole Libscomb have had extremely different seasons so far this year. Both were opening day starter for their respective teams to open the season. But the former is 6-2 and has allowed just two earned runs in his last 18 innings pitched while the latter has a record of 1-3, and has been in and out of Auburn’s rotation.
The two right handers pitched like an ace on Friday night though, as they each allowed two runs on six hits in six innings pitched, leaving the game with the scored tied at 2.
“I thought his slider was good. We knew he would throw a lot of sliders, but we seemed like we didn’t pick up on a lot of the low sliders,” Bianco said of Libscomb. “He’s a guy that’s had a lot of success in this league, so maybe he is getting hot for them.”
Bramlett struck out six including five in his first two innings, and his only runs came from a two-run home run from Auburn first baseman Niko Buentello in the sixth inning.
“His stuff wasn’t the best, and command wasn’t the best, but man he can really compete. He gives you an opportunity to win and that was a big effort,” Bianco said.
A game that meant two entirely different things for each team turned in the bottom half of the seventh inning. Ole Miss appeared to have run its way out of any offense when Kyle Watson, who pinch ran after Michael Fitzsimmons leadoff single, was gunned down at second base attempting to run on Auburn catcher Blake Logan.
Five two-out hits quickly flipped that script as the Rebels struck for four and took control of the game. Ryan Olenek singled right field following an Errol Robinson double, making it 3-2.
“Ryan is just a great competitor, he seems to get the big hit, and get the runner in fro third base, and make the play in the outfield,” Bianco said.
J.B. Woodman provided Ole Miss an insurance run with a single after a Tate Blackman walk, and a Blake Bortles single gave the Rebels more than it needed with a 5-2 lead.
Henri Lartigue, whose single was good for the game’s first run, reached on an error by the shortstop that brought Blackman acorss and ended the scoring at 6-2. Lartigue was 3-4 on the night with an RBI.
Brady Feigl pitched a scoreless inning of relief in the seventh before leaving closer Wyatt Short with a second and third situation with one out in the eight inning. Short controlled the damage and by trading an out for a run, held Auburn to one, and made it 6-3.
Will Stokes probably was not anticipating to pitch on Friday night as he watched Short jog out to the mound with a three run lead to being the 9th. But things quickly turned after two singles, one of the infield variety, and a walk loaded the bases, and before he knew it, he was pitching for his fifth save of the year.
“I was just trying to come in and fill up the strike zone as much as I can,” Stokes said.
That didn’t happen initially. He walked Melvin Gray, which brought up the three and four hitters for Auburn.
“I was trying to be as positive as I can and tell myself to fill up the strike zone,” Stokes said.
He listened to himself. Stokes struck out Jordan Ebert, and followed that up by getting Buentello to chase a high fastball for a second strikeout. He then ended it with a pop out to Errol Robinson that solidified his fifth save and ended the game.
“I just tried to be as precise as I can,” Stokes said. “We in the bullpen just try to do what we can to help out.”
The sophomore left hander helped out for Ole Miss 29th win and pulled them to 8-8 in SEC play.
“Terrific,” Bianco exlaimed. “What a fabulous job for a guy who did not think he was going to pitch.”
First pitch on Saturday is set for 2 p.m.
