Mississippi pitcher Evan Anderson prepares to pitch Tuesday. (DM Photo | Marlee Crawford)
It was a cold afternoon at Swayze as the Rebels topped Arkansas State by a score of 2-1 Tuesday afternoon.
Arkansas State came into the game on a roll after a series win over Louisville over the weekend, taking two out of three games from the 7th-ranked Cardinals.
The game proved to be a pitching battle from the start as both teams got five innings from their starters and four from their bullpen.
Sophomore starter Evan Anderson was on the mound for the Rebels Tuesday. Anderson struggled in the first by walking the bases loaded with only one out, but got out of the inning allowing just one run and settled in after that by going five innings allowing just that one run on one hit.
“This might be a big moment for him because a lot of guys would have asked to come out of the game. But bases loaded, he gets out of it and nearly throws a no-hitter for the rest of the game.” Bianco said.
Senior Sikes Orvis got Ole Miss on the board early by belting a solo home run over the bullpen in right field in the bottom of the first to tie the game back up at 1. The Rebel slugger went 2-4 on the day and also scored again in the fourth after a two out RBI single by senior catcher Austin Knight that put the Rebels up 2-1. The RBI single by Knight sealed the victory for the Rebels.
It was a solid showing from the Rebels bullpen as junior Jacob Waguespack came in for Anderson in the fifth inning. Waguespack provided three solid innings in relief by keeping the Red Wolves off of the scoreboard and only allowing two hits.
Freshman Will Stokes came on in the ninth and retired the Red Wolves in order on his way to earning his first save of the season. It was a big moment for the freshman as he entered in a one run game.
“We needed to get him ready,” Bianco said. “He needs to be a guy that we are going to count on in the bullpen.”
Stokes capped off a solid pitching effort by both Anderson and the Rebel bullpen as the Red Wolves only were able to get three hits in the game.
With the win, the Rebels improve to 5-2 on the year. Ole Miss was expected to play another midweek game today against Central Arkansas, but the game was postponed due to predicted inclement weather. The game was moved to April 21. Ole Miss returns to action this weekend on the road against nationally-ranked UCF, who stand at 7-0 for the season, beginning Friday evening. First pitch is set for 5:30 p.m.
