In the final weekend of non-conference play, Ole Miss hosted the Evansville Purple Aces for a three game series. After weather disruptions caused the teams to play a doubleheader on Friday, the Sunday finale proved to be a beautiful day at Swayze, in more ways than one.
The Rebels completed the series sweep against the Aces, capturing an 8-3 victory. After being down 2-1 in the second, the Rebels would tie it up and later to a lead to secure their third series sweep of the season.
Wil Libert started on the mound for the Rebels, he threw 5 innings giving up 2 runs on three hits while striking out five and securing the win. Walker Hooks relieved him in the top of the sixth and would throw 2.2 scoreless innings, giving up two hits and striking out six.
In the bottom of the first, with Judd Utermark on third, Will Furniss was hit in the head by a pitch. While Furniss was clearing concussion protocol, Luke Romine came on to pinch run. Furniss would get cleared and come back in the top of the second at first base, he played the rest of the game.
While Furniss was getting checked out, Collin Reuter would hit a sacrifice fly to right field and bring home Utermark to give the Rebels a 1-0 lead.
The Purple Aces would respond in the top of the second, scoring two runs on a pair of hits and a pair of walks. Ole Miss would strike back quickly with Hayden Federico flying out to left field to pick up a sacrifice and bring home Topher Jones, who doubled earlier in the inning.
In the third, the Rebels would tack on three more runs. Utermark led off with a walk, followed by a single from Will Furniss. Tristan Bissetta would then come to the plate and deliver a three-run blast over the right field wall, giving Ole Miss a 5-3 lead.
Brayden Randle hit a solo shot for his first homer of the year in the bottom of the fourth. In the bottom of the fifth, with the bases loaded after a Bissetta single and back-to-back walks, Randle would pick up another RBI on a fielder’s choice. He hit the ball to second base, but the Evansville shortstop made a throwing error which allowed Topher Jones to come home as well.
Terry Hayes, who relieved Hooks in the top of the eighth, would face just three batters, giving up a walk in the top of the ninth before being pulled. Patrick Collopy would then take the mound for Ole Miss, he would also face just three batters; Collopy would walk the first batter he faced, then give up a sac fly which allowed Evansville to score their third run of the game, and would finish the day walking his final batter.
Landon Waters would come on to finish the game for the Rebels, he struck out Wyatt Pennin to end the game.
Next Up
The Rebels return to action on Tuesday night, facing off against Southern Miss. in Hattiesburg. First pitch is set for 6 PM and the game will be broadcast on ESPN+. Ole Miss will finish their week against Texas in Austin to open SEC play.
