The Rebels have one last mid-week game of the 2017 regular season, and it gives them the chance to build off the momentum of a series win over Texas A&M this past weekend. Ole Miss travels to Jonesboro, Arkansas to take on the Red Wolves of Arkansas State for the second time this season.
In February, the Rebel offense exploded for 16 runs against ASU with eight different players batting in a run for Ole Miss. Leading the way was Will Golsan with a 4-5 performance. Golsan went 7-13 at the plate last weekend and may be able to burn the Red Wolves once more if he stays hot. Golsan has the most at-bats of any Rebel and has the second highest average sitting at .317.
ASU comes in having lost five of their last six and have given up 41 runs in those six losses. Ole Miss may look to put up big numbers at the plate in this matchup just as they did the first time around. Defensively, ASU has committed 63 errors this season, so just getting the ball in play may serve the Rebels well. At the plate, Joe Schrimpf is the only player hitting above .300 with a .333 average. Grant Hawkins is second on the team, far behind Schrimpf with just a .263. Without a strong defense or partially deep lineup, the Red Wolves may not be a challenge for Ole Miss if the Rebels play to their capability.
Despite being ranked in the Top 10 early in the year, the Rebels must play their best baseball to lock up a spot in both the SEC and NCAA tournaments. Battling back from a poor performance to open the series with A&M shows that Ole Miss can fight through adversity, but now they have to be consistent. Sitting at 31-21 overall, Mike Bianco’s team can’t suffer a setback tonight ahead of their final SEC series this weekend.
Pitching Matchup
OM: Sean Johnson – RHP (1-0, 3.29 ERA)
ASU: Bryan Ayers – RHP (2-5, 7.56 ERA)
How to Listen
First pitch from Tomlinson Stadium is set for 6:30 p.m., and the game will not be televised. However, it can be heard on the Ole Miss Radio Network and OleMissSports.com.
Weather
Other than a little bit of wind, it looks like perfect baseball weather for tonight’s game.
Steven Gagliano is a writer for HottyToddy.com. He can be reached at steven.gagliano@hottytoddy.com.
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