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FINAL: Ole Miss 6, MSU 2
The Rebels put themselves in contention to win the series tomorrow if they can piece together a successful pitching effort.
Ole Miss coach Mike Bianco did not name a starter. After R.J. Hively closed today's game with four strong innings, it's not likely to be Hively.
The Bulldogs struggled with his breaking stuff. Hively gave up just one hit, an infield single in the eighth.
He walked one and struck out two.
Mike Mayers had a solid start but tired in the sixth and gave up a two-run home run to tie the game before getting out. On the day he allowed four hits over five innings with two runs, both earned.
Matt Snyder's 10th home run gave the Rebels a quick 2-0 lead, but they were not able to add to it until much later. The REbels had three hits against Kendall Graveman in the first, but he settled in and retired 12 of 14 at one stretch.
Austin Anderson had a key RBI hit in the top of the seventh. He drove in one run, and another scored on an MSU error. The two runs put Ole Miss up 4-2, and the Rebels stretched the lead in the ninth with runs touching home on a bases-loaded HBP by Tanner Mathis, and a stikeout-wild pitch that allowed Andrew Mistone to reach base and keep the inning alive.
The only multi-hit game was from Will Allen, who had a pair of doubles, one in the first. Alex Yarbrough went 1-for-5, his hit streak now at 22 games.
It will be interesting to see who Bianco starts. Freshman Sam Smith did not have a good outing last week in his first SEC start against Arkansas.
Pitchers Hawtin Buchanan, Dylan Chavez, Chris Ellis, Tanner Bailey and Brett Huber have not been used this weekend.
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Getting settled in at Dudy Noble after a morning of yard work. Congratulations to Bobby Massie, drafted with the No. 112 pick, fourth round, to Arizona.
Alex Yarbrough last night talked about the need for the Rebels to strike early today. We'll see if that happens against Kendall Graveman (3-2, 2.92).
MSU
SS Adam Frazier .350
C Mitch Slauter .232
DH Trey Porter .282
3B Daryl Norris .323
CF C.T. Bradford .267
LF Hunter Renfroe .252
RF Brent Brownless .217
1B Wes Rea .274
2B Matthew Britton .134
RHP Kendall Graveman 3-2, 2.92
Ole Miss
LF Tanner Mathis .346
3B Andrew Mistone .257
2B Alex Yarbrough .436
1B Matt Snyder .358
C Will Allen .328
DH Sikes Orvis .240
CF Auston Bousfield .277
SS Austin Anderson .228
RF Will Jamison .277
RHP Mike Mayers (4-2, 3.70)