OMAHA, Neb- Ole Miss and North Carolina kicked off their quests for a National Championship Friday night, and the Tar heels found victory after a fascinating pitching duel. The Tar Heels prevailed late, winning 6-2, putting Ole Miss in elimination territory Sunday against Troy.
North Carolina stepped up when things mattered most, despite the Rebels leading throughout much of the game,
The aces delivered
A pitching duel was to be expected, and that’s exactly what baseball fans got tonight. Ole Miss and North Carolina sent out their aces, and neither disappointed, but only one team came away with the victory.
Taylor Rabe finished the night pitching 5 2/3 innings, allowing just one run, and seven strikeouts. Rabe would only sacrifice two hits but a solo home run from dynamic hitter Owen Hill tied the game up in 6th inning, ending Rabe’s night. Four walks also suffered the success of Rabe, and he accounts this performance as below average for himself.
“Not my best stuff I would say, I was a little out of sync with four walks, and they did a really good job at taking advantage.”
For UNC, Jason Decaro also shined in the brightest lights. DeCaro would finish with a line of 6.2 IP, five hits, and 9 strikeouts, leaving all pitching fans wanting more.
Ole Miss struggled leaving runners on base
At some point, certain things come back to bite you in the wrong place, and Ole Miss could not find much success offensively leaving runners on base in multiple innings tonight.
Ole Miss had the upper hand in the hit column tonight, winning that margin eight-to-five over the Tar Heels, but zero hits from four players ultimately played waste land for the Rebels at the end of the game.
Bright moments offensively did come from Brayden Randle who continued his hot streak in the post season, and Dom Decker who drove in a run with two doubles. Owen Paino also provided a couple of hits for the Rebels, but ultimately, it wouldn’t prove good enough.
Bullpen couldn’t find rhythm
Hudson Calhoun and Walker Hooks finished the game for Ole Miss, both struggling to find confidence in their arsenal. Calhoun and Hooks allowed five runs from the Carolina offense, and three-run home to left center field from Colin Hynek in the 8th inning pretty much sealed the deal for Ole Miss who couldn’t answer in the 9th inning.
Pitching has remained a key factor for the success of Ole Miss this year, so worries will not be installed around the locker room, but a bitter taste will be left in their mouths.
Ole Miss will take on Troy Sunday June 14, at 1 p.m. CT on ESPN in a elimination game.
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