The Rebels were not at the top of their game today as they lost their third game in a row, unable to stop the long ball by Mississippi State in a 6-1 loss that clinched the series for the Bulldogs.
Hudson Calhoun looked good through the first three innings in his second SEC start, after beginning the season as one of the top relief options for Ole Miss, but the outing quickly turned after he loaded the bases with a pair of walks and a hit with no outs in the fourth.
Calhoun drew the start today as the Rebels looked to give Cade Townsend his full rest coming off an injury, and he was successful throughout the first three innings giving up just one run on two hits. However, he was unable to sustain his success into the fourth as the first three batters reached base without Calhoun being able to draw an out.
With the bases loaded and no outs, Ole Miss turned to their usual Sunday starter Wil Libbert. Libbert was able to work out of the inning only allowing two runs to score and then threw a scoreless fifth. In the sixth Libbert would give up back-to-back homers, the first of which was a two run shot. After Libbert walked the next batter, Owen Hancock would take over on the mound and get the final two outs in the sixth.
Hancock would finish out the game for the Rebels, going three scoreless innings.
“He was really, really good against a really good offense,” said head coach Mike Bianco. “A really good day for him and unfortunately it got for nought.”
The Struggle Is Real
The Rebels continued to be plagued by an inability to get timely hits, as they were 3-17 with runners on base and 2-9 with runners in scoring position. The Rebels have been unable to capitalize on the opportunities that they have been given by Mississippi State.
A lack of situational hitting has been something that has plagued Ole Miss all season.
“The bottom part of the lineup has struggled,” said Bianco, “The top half has helped put us in some good positions, but been too inconsistent in the last couple of weeks.”
The only run of the day for the Rebels came in the sixth after Reuter and Furniss were able to get back-to-back free passes. While Furniss was picked off after a Topher fly out, Dom Decker was able to drive a single up the middle and bring Reuter home to prevent a shut out.
Decker was the most productive Rebel hitter today, going 2 for 3 with a walk. Utermark, Furniss, Jones, and Fawley all had a single in the loss.
Next Up
The Rebels are back in action for game three of the series against Mississippi State tomorrow, looking to salvage a win. First pitch is set for 3 PM and Cade Townsend will be making his first start since leaving against Texas with a shoulder injury.
