No. 25 Ole Miss played a complete game in every phase with the offense and pitching clicking to topple No. 24 LSU in Oxford, 6-3.
The Rebels (24-11, 6-7 SEC) and Tigers (22-13, 6-7 SEC) both scored two runs in the first inning to open up what looked to be a game that would be decided by the closest of margins. Owen Paino, AS WE ALL EXPECTED, hit a solo home run in the bottom of the second for the Rebels to gain a 3-2 lead. It was Paino’s first roundtripper of the season and the Swayze showers were
in full effect.
Hunter Elliott was solid as usual going 6 IP, 2 ER and 8 K’s giving Ole Miss every chance to build on its slim lead. As we wrote in our preview the Friday ace moved into third all time for strikeouts at Ole Miss with his performance against LSU now only behind Lance Lynn and Drew Pomeranz.
The Tigers tied things up in the top of the seventh with a sacrifice fly, but the Rebels answered in the bottom of the eighth playing a brand of small ball offense fans have not seen much this season. Bunts, sacrifice flies and advancing runners was like death by paper cut for LSU as Ole Miss added three runs before the final frame then leading 6-3.
Walker Hooks (3-0) pitched three scoreless innings to earn the win coming in for Landon Waters who just didn’t have his stuff last night in only 13 pitches.
Ole Miss and LSU first pitch for Saturday is set for 4 p.m. CT at Swayze Field and can be streamed live on SEC Network+. Cade Townsend (2-1, 1.82 ERA, 46 K) will take the mound for the Rebels countered by William Schmidt (4-2, 2.63 ERA, 56 K) for the Tigers.
