By Hunter Cornejo
Hotty Toddy! The Ole Miss bats got to the Sooners’ starting pitcher Jake Bennett early. Kevin Graham got the Rebels on the board fast with an RBI single in the first inning. Kevin Graham went on to score by way of Peyton Graham’s fielding error to make the score 2-0 Ole Miss. Ole Miss starter Jack Dougherty built off of the Rebels’ offensive momentum, retiring the side. Jake Bennett looked like he was going to turn the game around after picking up two strikeouts. Justin Bench ended the momentum shift with a two-out single to make the score 3-0. In the top of the third inning, Tim Elko kept the Rebels’ bats hot with a solo home run. Jack Dougherty was lights out for the Rebels, not allowing the Sooners to get a hit until the 6th inning. Jackson Nicklaus picked up the Sooners’ first hit, and went around to score, unearned, on Kendall Pettis’ bunt single. Tanner Tredaway drew a walk allowing Sebastian Orduno to score. Mason Nichols forced Jimmy Crooks to ground out, leaving three Sooners on base. Sooner reliever Chazz Martinez got lit up in the 8th inning when TJ McCants hit a two-run dinger. Then Calvin Harris hit a home run. Justin Bench was able to hit another home run to complete the back-to-back-to-back home run sequence. In the bottom of the eighth inning, Blake Robertson singled, scoring Kendall Pettis, to make the score 8-3. Ole Miss picked up two more runs in the ninth inning off of Ben Abram, by way of Peyton Chatagnier’s RBI double and Hayden Dunhurst’s sac-fly. Josh Mallitz sealed the Rebels’ win, while leaving 2 Sooners on base.
The Sooners’ bats got cold at the absolute worst time possible. The Sooners’ hottest bats Peyton Graham, Tanner Tredaway, and Jimmy Crooks all went hitless. The Sooners will need another stellar performance from Cade Horton in tomorrow’s win or go matchup. The Sooners will be looking to keep their streak alive of bouncing back after a loss. Hats off to Ole Miss earning a dominating Game 1 victory. The Rebels had an extremely effective offense tonight scoring 10 runs off of 16 hits. The Rebels had a stellar pitching performance from Jack Dougherty. The Rebels’ relievers Mason Nichols and Josh Mallitz were able to build off of Dougherty’s momentum. Oklahoma will be the away team tomorrow, the first pitch is at 2:00 PM CT.
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