Ole Miss is riding high, and a series win against the nation’s second-ranked team will do that. Coming off of the win against Louisville, the Rebels look to carry that momentum into the midweek against a Memphis team that it saw twice a year ago.
Ole Miss won the first match up in Oxford 7-5, and Memphis got the better of the Rebels in the second contest in Oxford, 10-5.
Memphis comes into the game with a record of 4-2, after losing two of three to Tennessee to begin the season and then rebounding with a sweep of SIU Edwardsville at home this past weekend.
Errol Robinson connects with a ball during the game against Louisville last Friday. The Rebels would go on to win the series 2-1. (Photo by: Evan Turner)
Ole Miss coach Mike Bianco said after Sunday’s game that right hander James McArhtur will draw the start in this game. The true freshman from New Braunfels, Texas has two appearances on the year, including starting the midweek match up last week against Arkansas State. He went three innings, giving up two runs on three hits, while surrendering two walks and earned a no decision. The Rebels eventually won in walk-off fashion by a score of 4-3.
McArthur also pitched an inning of relief in game two of the season opening series against Florida International, surrendering one run on one hit and a walk.
Memphis is expected to start freshman James Muse. Muse is a 6-foot 3-inch, 220-pound right-hander who will be making his first career start for the Tigers. He has one relief appearance this year in which he pitched 0.2 innings and gave up a hit.
The Ole Miss offense is coming off a relatively quiet weekend at the plate.
The Rebels were only able to score 10 runs in the three-game series, compared to 32 in its season opening series. The drop in offense is in large part due to Louisville having one of the most dominant pitching staffs in college baseball, but at the same time the Rebels will be looking to get back on track Wednesday night.
Junior center fielder Darrien Tubbs leads Memphis offensively. Tubbs, the Tigers leadoff hitter, is hitting .440 with 11 hits, including a home run and four RBIs through six games this season. Junior third baseman Zach Schritenthal leads Memphis in RBIs with six on the year.
Wednesday’s game is the last of an eight game home-stand for Ole Miss to begin the season. The Rebels travel to Conway, South Carolina for three games against Ball State, 18th ranked Coastal Carolina and a Cincinnati team that took LSU to extra innings earlier this year.
First pitch on Wednesday is set for 3 p.m.
-Brian Scott Rippee
