Braxton Lee slides into third as Murray State third baseman Luke Daugherty awaits the throw during Wednesday’s game. Ole Miss won 8-5. Photo: Thomas Graning, The Daily Mississippian.
The Ole Miss Rebels defeated the Murray State Thoroughbreds 8-5 last night, powered by the second straight powerful hitting performance in as many nights.
The Rebels offense racked up 15 hits last night, seemingly picking up where they left off after their 14-hit performance two nights ago at Memphis. Ole Miss left fielder Braxton Lee led the way with four hits on the night.
“We were terrific offensively,” head coach Mike Bianco said. “There were several guys with multiple hits, with a big night from Braxton Lee, J.B. Woodman, Austin Knight and others.”
Murray State got on the board first, scoring three runs in the top half of the fourth inning. Ole Miss starter, freshman right-hander Evan Anderson, gave up two walks to start the fourth inning, and sophomore lefty Matt Denny came into the game.
Murray State right fielder Kollin Dowdy then knocked in two runs on a double down the right field line, putting the Racers up 2-0. Later in the inning, Murray State designated hitter Dalton West batted in another run, making it 3-0.
The Rebels answered immediately with a huge bottom of the fourth. Designated hitter Will Allen started the bottom half of the inning with a double, and the next batter, third baseman Brantley Bell, knocked Allen home, cutting the lead to 3-1. Later in the inning, second baseman John Gatlin knocked in another run, making it 3-2. Gatlin would score after a Lee RBI, tying the game at 3-3.
The Rebels scored three more times in the fourth inning – one run scored on an Auston Bousfield bunt, and two scored on an Austin Anderson single. At the end of the fourth, the score was 6-3.
The next couple innings were relatively quiet, with the exception of another Ole Miss run scored in the bottom of the sixth on a Lee single, making the score 7-3.
But the Racers would answer in the top of the seventh, scoring two runs on two separate singles. Staying true to the game’s pattern, the Rebels answered right back with another run in the bottom of the seventh, increasing their lead and solidifying the win at 8-5.
The Rebels’ pitching staff produced what Bianco called “a bad night on the mound,” with seven different pitchers giving up the five runs on the night. Denny got the win, and Murray State’s Cameron Finch got the loss.
Last night’s victory was the Rebels’ sixth straight win, which should produce a good amount of momentum as they head to Starkville tomorrow for a pivotal SEC rivalry series at Mississippi State – an unwelcoming environment, especially for the cross-state rivals.
“We are playing good baseball,” Bianco said. “It’s exciting for (the players). That’s why they come to play here and play in the SEC. You want to play in those types of atmospheres. I think the guys are excited for it.”
— Adam Ganucheau
thedmsports@gmail.com
