Mississippi Colby Bortles (25) hits the ball during a game earlier this season. (File Photo)
The Diamond Rebels earned a much-needed series win against the top ranked Vanderbilt, winning two games out of three.
After dropping the first game by a score of 6-0, Ole Miss managed to win each of the last two games of an SEC series for the first time since doing it against South Carolina in 2011.
It was the Rebels’ third series against a top-ranked opponent this season and the Rebels’ second series win over a top-ranked team.
After a sloppy 6-0 loss in game one Thursday, which saw Ole Miss tally just six hits and commit two errors, the Rebels responded with a dramatic 16 inning win, 6-5, on Friday to even the series at one. The Rebels trailed 5-1 entering the top of the ninth before sophomore third baseman Colby Bortles launched a towering grand slam that tied the game at five and sent it into extra innings.
The Rebel bullpen was the key to their success in game two as the staff provided 11 innings of scoreless relief, including six from senior right-hander Scott Weathersby, who earned the win on Friday. Vanderbilt threatened to end the game in walk-off fashion a couple of different times, including loading the bases with no outs in the 11th inning, but Weathersby was able to hold the Commodores in check.
“If anyone can do it, he (Weathersby) can,” Ole Miss head coach Mike Bianco said. “He’s got the ability to strike people out, locate pitches in the strike zone and work both sides of the plate. He worked some magic there to get out of it.”
After tying the game in the ninth, the Rebels finally broke the tie in the 16th inning. Sophomore shortstop Errol Robinson drew a two-out walk before sophomore catcher Henri Lartigue belted a double to deep right that scored Robinson and proved to be the game winning run in the 6-5 win.
“I’m proud of them,” Bianco said after the game. “Proud of the guys. That was basically the message. Enjoy this tonight, but don’t be satisfied. We have to come out ready to play tomorrow.”
Ole Miss did indeed respond with a 5-4 win on Sunday. Freshman right-hander Will Stokes earned his first career win in his longest start since becoming the third weekend starter. Stokes went six innings, allowing four runs on seven hits and four strikeouts on the day.
“It’s just a good team effort by everybody,” Stokes said. “It’s huge to get the win on the road against one of the best teams in the country.”
The Rebels trailed 4-3 heading into the seventh inning before Robinson delivered a bases loaded two-RBI single that put the Rebels ahead 5-4 and ended up being the difference.
The Ole Miss bullpen was great yet again in the win. Senior right-hander Sam Smith pitched two innings of scoreless relief before junior right-hander Jacob Waguespack came on in the ninth and held the Commodores scoreless en route to his first save of the season.
The Ole Miss bullpen did not allow Vanderbilt to score a single run in their 15.2 innings of work over the weekend. An impressive stat that proved to be crucial in the two-one run victories.
The Rebels are now 5-4 against top ranked teams this season. Ole Miss now sits at 18-18 overall on the season and 7-8 at the midway mark of Southeastern Conference play. Ole Miss returns to action Wednesday at home against UT-Martin before traveling to Auburn next weekend. First pitch is set for 6:30 p.m Wednesday.
