Memphis runner Drew Griffin (7) steals second base past Mississippi’s Dalton Dulin (7) during an NCAA college baseball game in Oxford, Miss., Wednesday, March 5, 2014. (Photo/Thomas Graning)
The Ole Miss baseball team was handed their second loss of the season Wednesday night, as the No. 15 Rebels were unable to get the clutch hit and fell to Memphis 4-1 from Oxford-University Stadium/Swayze Field.
The Rebels (11-2) had plenty of opportunities, as they put runners in scoring position in each of the first seven innings. However, good defensive play kept Ole Miss off the scoreboard until junior center fielder Auston Bousfield scored on a sacrifice fly from senior designated hitter Will Allen.
“They were terrific defensively, and really, I think that was the difference in the ballgame,” Ole Miss head coach Mike Bianco said. “It seemed like, especially early on, that we had so many runners on. We just had nothing to show for it.”
Memphis (11-1) jumped out in front in the first inning on a two-run single from Tiger third baseman Drew Griffin off Ole Miss starter Jeremy Massie. The senior left-handed Massie (0-1) only went 4.1 innings, giving up three runs on five hits with five strikeouts and a walk.
The Tigers added a run in the fifth on a fielder’s choice by shortstop Ethan Gross and another run in the sixth on a sacrifice fly from catcher Carter White.
Bousfield was the leader at the plate for Ole Miss, going 3-for-4 with a double and a triple. He was a home run away from the cycle.
Freshman right-hander Cheyne Bickel gave up one run on two hits in one inning of work. Senior right-hander Aaron Greenwood allowed just two hits in three innings, and freshman right-hander Preston Tarkington pitched the final 0.2 innings.
“Greenwood was good tonight,” Bianco said. “I thought this was, certainly, his best outing of the year. It was the one silver-lining of today.”
Ole Miss returns to action on Friday when they begin a three-game series against Arkansas-Little Rock.
For continuing coverage of Ole Miss baseball, follow @DavidLCollier and @thedm_sports on Twitter.
