Braxton Lee steals second base past Louisiana-Monroe’s Anthony Herrera during Wednesday’s game. Photo: Ignacio Murillo, The Daily Mississippian.
On a cold night in Oxford, the Ole Miss baseball team completed a two-game sweep of Louisiana-Monroe, and once again, it came in grand fashion as the Rebels (8-1) won it in the bottom of the ninth, 4-3.
After scratching across a run in the eighth inning to tie the game, Ole Miss set the table for another thrilling comeback. Senior catcher Will Allen came to the plate with the bases loaded and just one out for the Rebels. Allen hit the first pitch he saw from ULM’s opposing pitcher and the Rebels got the walk-off win Wednesday night at Swayze Field.
“Coach told me to get on top of the plate and be ready to hit that fastball and drive something to the outfield, and that’s what I did,” Allen said.
The Rebels started senior right-hander Jeremy Massie on the mound, and he pitched five strong innings, as he kept the Warhawks hitless. Head coach Mike Bianco said that he thought about letting Massie get in another inning of work, but decided against it.
“I thought about maybe allowing him to throw another inning, but I figured he had 60 pitches and I don’t know if he’s ever thrown 60 pitches here,” Bianco said. “Just with the weather, I didn’t think it was fair to him. While in there, he gave us all he had, and we were happy with that.”
Freshman Brantley Bell had a stellar night at third base in his first collegiate start. He showed flashes of outstanding glove work as he recorded the first three outs of the first inning. His play really impressed Bianco, as he referred to him as “outstanding.”
“Tremendous,” Bianco said. “He’s a really good player. He looked sensational at third base. His first at-bat he hits a double; his last at-bat, he hits a single and scores the winning run. Great night by him, I am happy for him and proud of him.”
The pitching staff had a decent night except for freshman left-hander Evan Anderson. When he entered the game in the seventh inning, the Warhawks got their first hit, a couple of walks, and the flood gates began to open as the Warhawks took the lead over the Rebels in the seventh until freshman right-hander Cheyne Bickel came in and shut the door on the rally.
The Rebels will continue home play this weekend with a three-game series against Central Florida at Swayze Field. First pitch for Friday’s series opener is set for 6:30 p.m.
— Tyler Carter
tcarter@go.olemiss.edu
