Alabama Splits Series with Ole Miss

No. 8 Ole Miss ended up on the wrong end of a pitchers’ duel, falling 2-0 to Alabama Saturday evening at Sewell-Thomas Stadium. The loss to the Crimson Tide (21-14, 7-7 SEC) was the first in the last six conference games for the Rebels (26-9, 7-7 SEC).

In just this second start as a Rebel, sophomore David Parkinson (1-1) was outstanding. The southpaw pitched 7.0 strong innings, a career high, allowing just one run on six hits. Parkinson also struck out five, another personal best for the reliever-turned-starter.

At the plate, freshman Ryan Olenek tallied two of the Rebels’ five hits to earn his sixth multi-hit game of the season.

The UA combination of starter Jake Walters (3-3) and Thomas Burrows (9) kept Ole Miss off the scoreboard. Walters limited the Rebel bats to four hits in 7.0 innings of work, while Burrows earned the two-inning save. Alabama had seven different players record hits throughout the night.

The game started out as a pitcher’s duel similar to the series opener as both teams failed to score in the first four innings. Ole Miss threatened in the top of the fourth with two on and only one out. However, Alabama got back-to-back Rebels to end the inning. On the mound for Ole Miss, Parkinson limited the Crimson Tide to just one hit through the first four innings to keep the game without a run.

Alabama used a two-out rally to plate a run in the fifth. After Parkinson started a 1-6-3 double play to quickly get a pair of outs, two hits and a walk led to the first run on the scoreboard. Georgie Salem began the rally with a base hit before a walk moved him into scoring position. With the lineup turned around to the top of the order, leadoff hitter Cobie Vance singled to left to score Salem, giving the Crimson Tide its first run of the series and making it a 1-0 ballgame through five frames.

The battle of the starting pitchers continued until both left in the eighth inning. Holt Perdzock drew a leadoff walk to force Walters out of the game and bring in Burrows, the Crimson Tide’s closer. Burrows did his job to get his team out of the inning with three straight outs. In the bottom half, a leadoff base hit lifted Parkinson and Brady Feigl entered in relief. The Rebel defense made a pair of miscues that led to an unearned run and doubled Alabama’s lead to 2-0. The margin was limited to two runs as defensive replacement Cameron Dishon made a diving catch in left field to end the inning and leave three Crimson Tide runners on base.

Ole Miss threatened in the ninth. A leadoff double by Olenek brought the tying run to the plate. Once again, Burrows showed why he’s one of the league’s leading closers in saves. The lefty was able to retire three Rebels to end the game and even the series.

The Rebels will look to claim the series tomorrow afternoon in the rubber match. Sean Johnson will return to the mound for Ole Miss, while Alabama will start junior Nick Eicholtz. First pitch is slated for 1 p.m. CT on SECN+ and the Ole Miss IMG Sports Network.

Courtesy of Ole Miss Sports