Ole Miss knocked off MSU, 5-2, on Tuesday to take the Governor’s Cup over the Bulldogs, its first win in the annual game in Pearl since 2015. The two teams tie the season series 2-2, and while the game doesn’t count in the SEC standings, the NCAA selection committee counts it as a conference game.
This one, obviously, doesn’t mean a ton in the big picture unless it’s the start of an unexpected run, and Mike Bianco, to his credit, said that after the game. He’s always hated the question of is this one you’re going to look back on as the start of something, and some TV guy lobbed that one at him. He said, correctly, that you hope so, but you only know that at the end of the season.
There were a couple things that stood out as positives for the Rebels in this one. First, and this isn’t the biggest deal, but considering the recent MSU dominance, getting a split on the season and a Governor’s Cup win at least takes a couple of the streaks back to zero. MSU still has the biggest one with consecutive series wins, but this wasn’t a bad night for Ole Miss. I don’t want to hype it up or anything, but you know winning is better than losing.
Also, Drew McDaniel showed toughness on Tuesday. After two walks in the first inning started trouble and led to two runs — one earned — the right-hander settled down and gave up nothing else in five innings. He walked five which isn’t ideal, but he pitched out of trouble and traffic and showed a composure that’s been his struggle throughout his career. McDaniel didn’t allow a hit until the fifth after an infield single brought in a run in the first.
Reagan Burford fielded the first-inning chopper and likely couldn’t have thrown out the runner, but the throw sailed high and led to a second run on the play. McDaniel struck out four using just a fastball and breaking ball. He didn’t throw a changeup on Tuesday.
Mason Nichols had one of his best outings of the season in relief, throwing three shutout innings. The freshman didn’t walk anyone and gave up one hit with two strikeouts. He faced the minimum in the three innings.
Brandon Johnson got the save, allowing the tying run to the plate before a strikeout ended it. Johnson gave up 13 earned runs in eight innings over the course of four appearances, but his last two outings have been better. He served up the game-winning home run on Saturday against the Bulldogs, but that came in a 3.2-inning outing when he only allowed that one run.
TJ McCants didn’t travel with the team on Tuesday because of a family situation. He’s expected to be back with the Rebels in Fayetteville this weekend.
Freshman Riley Maddox left the game Friday with forearm discomfort, and Bianco said there isn’t an update yet. My guess is he had an MRI. I’m trying to not speculate; I don’t really understand how that test result isn’t known.
“No. We’re still waiting on the results from some tests,” Bianco said.
Jacob Gonzalez and Tim Elko each had two hits and a double. The park played extremely big on Tuesday. Getting one out of there would have taken a hell of a shot.
Ole Miss struck out 14 times and was 1-for-10 with runners in scoring position.
The Rebels put up eight clean innings on the mound, and that’s the purpose, but only threw 54 percent of pitches for strikes. State was 2-for-11 with runners on base.
This one, obviously, doesn’t mean a ton in the big picture unless it’s the start of an unexpected run, and Mike Bianco, to his credit, said that after the game. He’s always hated the question of is this one you’re going to look back on as the start of something, and some TV guy lobbed that one at him. He said, correctly, that you hope so, but you only know that at the end of the season.
There were a couple things that stood out as positives for the Rebels in this one. First, and this isn’t the biggest deal, but considering the recent MSU dominance, getting a split on the season and a Governor’s Cup win at least takes a couple of the streaks back to zero. MSU still has the biggest one with consecutive series wins, but this wasn’t a bad night for Ole Miss. I don’t want to hype it up or anything, but you know winning is better than losing.
Also, Drew McDaniel showed toughness on Tuesday. After two walks in the first inning started trouble and led to two runs — one earned — the right-hander settled down and gave up nothing else in five innings. He walked five which isn’t ideal, but he pitched out of trouble and traffic and showed a composure that’s been his struggle throughout his career. McDaniel didn’t allow a hit until the fifth after an infield single brought in a run in the first.
Reagan Burford fielded the first-inning chopper and likely couldn’t have thrown out the runner, but the throw sailed high and led to a second run on the play. McDaniel struck out four using just a fastball and breaking ball. He didn’t throw a changeup on Tuesday.
Mason Nichols had one of his best outings of the season in relief, throwing three shutout innings. The freshman didn’t walk anyone and gave up one hit with two strikeouts. He faced the minimum in the three innings.
Brandon Johnson got the save, allowing the tying run to the plate before a strikeout ended it. Johnson gave up 13 earned runs in eight innings over the course of four appearances, but his last two outings have been better. He served up the game-winning home run on Saturday against the Bulldogs, but that came in a 3.2-inning outing when he only allowed that one run.
TJ McCants didn’t travel with the team on Tuesday because of a family situation. He’s expected to be back with the Rebels in Fayetteville this weekend.
Freshman Riley Maddox left the game Friday with forearm discomfort, and Bianco said there isn’t an update yet. My guess is he had an MRI. I’m trying to not speculate; I don’t really understand how that test result isn’t known.
“No. We’re still waiting on the results from some tests,” Bianco said.
Jacob Gonzalez and Tim Elko each had two hits and a double. The park played extremely big on Tuesday. Getting one out of there would have taken a hell of a shot.
Ole Miss struck out 14 times and was 1-for-10 with runners in scoring position.
The Rebels put up eight clean innings on the mound, and that’s the purpose, but only threw 54 percent of pitches for strikes. State was 2-for-11 with runners on base.
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