The Ole Miss diamond Rebels advanced to the semifinals of the SEC Tournament with a 7-0 win over Auburn Friday.
Ole Miss’ (44-15) high-powered offense came to life as Rebels Thomas Dillard, Jacob Adams and Chase Cockrel lifted home runs.
A pitchers dual broke out between the Rebels and Tigers as both teams tried to see who blinked first in the first three innings.
The Rebels offense started rolling in the fourth inning as Nick Fortes singled to open the frame, followed by a two-run home run off Dillard’s bat. Ole Miss took a 2-0 lead in the game.
Dillard came home to score on a RBI double in the sixth by Cole Zabowski. Zabowski would score two sluggers later as Tim Rowe delivered an RBI groundout.
Ole Miss’ starter James McArthur had a shaky first inning against the Tigers. He settled in and held the Auburn batters at bay with an electric arm on the mound. McArthur worked 5.1 innings giving up 5 hits, no runs and allowed one walk and 6 strikeouts.
Coach Mike Bianco called on the arm of Max Cioffi in relief. Cioffi entered with runners at first and second with one out and got out of the jam.
Adams soloed a home run in the seventh to put the Rebels up 5-0 over Auburn.
Cockrell put the game away with a bomb in the top of the ninth followed by a RBI single by Fortes.
Ole Miss takes the diamond against the Texas A&M Aggies Saturday at noon on the SEC Network.
Adam Brown is the sports editor of the HottyToddy.com. He can be reached at adam.brown@hottytoddy.com
