Diamond Rebels Defeat LBSU

By Adam Brown
Sports Editor
adam.brown@hottytoddy.com

The No.10 Ole Miss baseball team took game one of the series against the Long Beach State (7-2) Friday. The Rebels manufactured all their runs on nine hits and no home runs.

Thomas Dillard waits on the pitch. Photo by Steven Gagliano

Ole Miss (6-2) got the scoring started in the first with two runs as Ryan Olenek singled and scored on Thomas Dillard single through the left side and advanced to second on the throw. Chase Cockrell brought Dillard home on a single to right field.

The Rebels added another run in the second as Cooper Johnson led the frame off with a stand up double and came home on a single by Jacob Adams.

In the third, Ole Miss continued to manufacture runs as Dillard scored on a sacrifice fly by Johnson. Cockrell scored on an error.

Long Beach State got on the board in the fourth inning as Calvin Estrada led off the inning with a double and scored on a pass ball. The Dirtbags tack on an additional run as Chase Lutrell crosses the plate as Lane Huffman singled to left field.

Junior Dillard finished the game 2-for-3 with 2 runs scored.

The Rebels starter Will Ethridge worked 3 innings did not allow a run on two hits and 2 strikeouts on the night. He picked up his second win of the season.

Bianco brought in junior right-hander Houston Roth in the fourth and had a rocky inning as he gave up 2 runs on 3 hits. In the fifth, he settled in with two strikeouts and a groundout.

Long Beach States starter left-hander Zak Baayoun worked 6 innings as he gave up 5 runs (4 earned runs) on 7 hits. He struck out five Rebels and allowed three walks. In back-to-back season’s the Rebels have defeated Baayoun.

LBSU went to the bullpen in the seventh and called on the arm of Ethan Clough and logged two innings two runs on two hits striking out one and allowed two walks.

In the sixth, Austin Miller took the mound for the Rebels and worked 4 innings only allowed a hit while striking out 3 batters. Miller is credited with the save.

Ole Miss and LBSU will conclude the series on Saturday with a doubleheader because of inclement weather in the Oxford area on Sunday. First pitch is set for 1:30 p.m. with the second game 45 minutes after the final out.