Clutch Hitting Lifts Rebels to Comeback Victory

Will Golsan’s two-run homer tied the game in the seventh, and Holt Perdzock delivered a pinch-hit two-RBI single to lead No. 13 Ole Miss in a comeback victory over Southeast Missouri Wednesday evening at Swayze Field. The Rebels (12-1) were trailing 4-2 before the back-to-back two-run innings propelled them to a 6-4 win, completing the sweep over the Redhawks (6-7).

With the victory, Ole Miss won its seventh straight game. The Rebel offense once again recorded double digits in hits, finishing the night with 11. Golsan, Ryan Olenek and J.B. Woodman smacked two hits apiece.

“I thought we had some good swings early on, we just didn’t have things falling in. You have to give credit to their defense just making play after play,” said head coach Mike Bianco. “Fortunately, we pitched well.”

Left-handed pitcher Wyatt Short (1-0) took over on the mound in the top of the eighth inning with two Southeastern Missouri outs. The junior finished the game without allowing a single Redhawks hit and was awarded his first win of the season.

Freshman Dallas Woolfolk and Will Stokes also pitched effectively out of the bullpen. Woolfolk surrendered just one unearned run on one hit, while Stokes tossed 1.2 scoreless innings and struck out three of the six batters he faced. Freshman Andy Pagnozzi made his first career start on the mound and allowed just one unearned run in four innings, while on a pitch count.

“Andy was good today. As expected, he’s been like that every time out with good command on all his pitches, especially the fastball,” said Bianco. He pitches a lot like (former Rebel Scott) Weathersby too. It’s fun calling the game because you can do things with him that other guys can’t do.”

Southeast Missouri was limited to just five hits. On the mound, the Redhawks got a solid outing from starting pitcher Adam Pennington. The left hander pitched 7.0 innings and gave up four runs on eight hits.

The Rebels started off hot once again and scored first. Golsan singled to centerfield before Woodman ripped a stand-up double to right field. With Golsan on third, Colby Bortles stepped up to the plate and his sacrifice fly sent Golsan home.

Southeastern Missouri answered in the top of the second. Designated hitter Kylar Robertson hit a RBI single to score left fielder Garrett Gandolfo.

The score was even at one until the bottom of the third inning when the Rebels extended their lead. Errol Robinson singled through the left side to reach first. Woodman added an RBI to his day when he hit a bullet to right field and sent Robinson across the dish.

The score remained 2-1 in favor of Ole Miss until the Redhawks took advantage of some Rebel miscues in the top of the sixth inning. Right-handed pitcher Andrew Lowe walked two batters before Woolfolk took over the mound. After an Ole Miss error, Southeastern Missouri loaded the bases. The Rebels were almost out of the jam, but Brian Lees sent a two-RBI single to right field. The Redhawks tallied their third run of the inning when Nick Fortes caught the running stealing at second, but not before shortstop Branden Boggetto was able to score.

Trailing 4-2, Henri Lartigue delivered a pinch-hit single in the bottom of the seventh. Two batters later, Golsan stepped up to the plate and broke the tie. The sophomore delivered a two-out homer the brought the Rebels back to a 4-4 standstill against the Redhawks.

Bortles got things going in the bottom of the eighth frame with a leadoff single to left field. Sophomore Tate Blackman walked, Olenek beat out a bunt for a base hit to give Ole Miss ducks on the pond. With the infield playing in to prevent Ole Miss from taking the lead, Southeast Missouri was able to get the force at home on a Fortes grounder to third. With the bases still loaded, Perdzock entered the game as a pinch hitter and raked a two-RBI single to center, putting the Rebels back ahead.

After entering the game in the eighth, Short came back out to pitch the ninth and the southpaw shut the door once again. The junior retired the side in the final frame, and the Rebels concluded the midweek series with a 6-4 win to lock up the sweep.

Ole Miss returns to action for a weekend series against Grambling State. The Rebels will take on the Tigers at Swayze Field starting Friday night, March 11, at 6:30 p.m. when redshirt-junior Brady Bramlett takes the mound. As always, fans can tune into the action on SEC Network+ and the ESPN app.

Courtesy of Ole Miss Sports