The Ole Miss Rebels entered the weekend as the top team in the country according to RPI, but struggling to get recognition from the polling agencies. Baseball America has the Rebs as high as 11, but Perfect Game has them unranked entirely. After a predictable and easy early schedule, a big weekend in an MLB stadium is just what Ole Miss needs to prove who they are.
Friday afternoon they were set to meet the Baylor Bears at the Bruce Bolt College Classic. Hunter Elliott got the start for Ole Miss, and he was electric. After striking out 11 batters in five innings of one run ball, he gave way to the bullpen in line for the win.
The bullpen was able to hold their own until the late innings. A three-run homer in the top of the eighth put Baylor up 4-3 and meant Elliott would walk away with just a no-decision. The Rebel bats were not ready to allow their perfect start to the season be wiped away just yet, though. A solo home run and a sac fly put the Rebels back ahead in the bottom of the inning.
Baylor would have all the fun the rest of the way. RBI singles in the ninth and tenth innings put them up for good and spoiled a great day of Rebel pitching. Ole Miss arms managed to strike out 20 batters in a losing effort. The two errors committed highlight a growing early season issue, and the ten men left on base represent what could have been a perfect 10-0 record.
The Rebels will look to get right Saturday morning against Ohio State. Cade Townsend looks to stay hot and lead Ole Miss to a bounce back win. He has eight strikeouts in each of his appearances this season while boasting a 1.04 ERA. The game will be played at 11 AM Central Time.
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