Baseball
Ole Miss Faces Texas A&M In Final Home Series Of 2017 Season
Rebel dugout looks on as Bortles digs in. Photo by Steven Gagliano
The Ole Miss baseball team begins their final home series of the season tonight, and will have to bounce back from being swept by the Florida Gators last weekend. With a 29-20 overall record and a lackluster 11-13 record in the SEC, the Rebels have to rediscover their winning ways as the season comes to a close. Texas A&M comes to town in hopes of dashing the Rebels’ postseason plans.
Twelve teams make the SEC Tournament, and the Rebels are tied for 9th with only five games separating the teams fighting for the 6-10 spots. If Ole Miss hopes to qualify for either the SEC or NCAA Tournaments, they can’t afford to lose this series. In a far return of events, the Rebel pitching staff was a weak spot for Ole Miss against the Gators leading to deficits that the offense was unable to climb out of. Starting on Friday, James McArthur allowed 7 runs in just 3.2 innings, Ryan Rolison gave up 3 runs in 4.1 innings on Saturday, and in game three, David Parkison allowed 3 runs in just 3.1 innings. A team like the Rebels isn’t built to play from behind, a sentiment that was echoed last weekend.
It goes noted that the Gator offense ranks 11th in the conference, while the Aggies rank 6th. If the Rebel staff can’t return to form, it could be another long weekend for the red and blue. At the plate, the Rebels, once again, rest at the bottom of the SEC with a .253 average. The Rebels will have to keep pace with the Aggies this weekend, and it starts with senior leader Colby Bortles. Look for Bortles to show out during his last series at Swayze and power the Rebel offense.
A&M dropped two of three games to Mississippi State last weekend and are fighting for their own seeding in the SEC. With a 14-10 conference record, the Aggies sit right above the Rebels in the standings. While the Rebels’ pitching staff has been consistent all season long, the Aggie staff has been just as good, leading the SEC with a 3.03 team ERA.
Pitching Matchups
Friday
OM: James McArthur – RHP (3-4, 3.99 ERA)
A&M: Brigham Hill – RHP (7-3, 2.62 ERA)
Saturday
OM: Ryan Rolison – LHP (6-2, 2.19 ERA)
A&M: Corbin Martin – RHP (5-3, 3.13 ERA)
Sunday
OM: David Parkinson – LHP (5-3, 3.66 ERA)
A&M: Stephen Kolek – RHP (3-2, 3.31 ERA)
Game Times
Friday: 6:30 p.m.
Saturday: 6 p.m.
Sunday: Noon
Where to watch/listen
Friday’s game can be streamed on the SEC Network+ app. Saturday and Sunday’s games will be televised on the SEC Network. All three games can be heard on the Ole Miss Radio Network and OleMissSports.com.
Weather
As the clouds hover over Oxford, tonight’s game may be in question, so don’t be surprised to see a double header at some point this weekend.
Steven Gagliano is a writer for HottyToddy.com. He can be reached at steven.gagliano@hottytoddy.com.
Follow HottyToddy.com on Instagram, Twitter and Snapchat @hottytoddynews. Like its Facebook page: If You Love Oxford and Ole Miss…
| Sat, Aug 31 |  | vs Furman | W, 76-0 |
| Sat, Sep 7 |  | vs Middle Tennessee | W, 52-3 |
| Sat, Sep 14 |  | @ Wake Forest | W, 40-6 |
| Sat, Sep 21 |  | vs Georgia Southern | W, 52-13 |
| Sat, Sep 28 |  | vs Kentucky | L, 20-17 |
| Sat, Oct 5 |  | @ South Carolina | W, 27-3 |
| Sat, Oct 12 |  | vs LSU | L, 29-26 (2 OT) |
| Sat, Oct 26 |  | vs Oklahoma | W, 26-14 |
| Sat, Nov 2 |  | @ Arkansas | W, 63-35 |
| Sat, Nov 16 |  | vs Georgia | W, 28-10 |
| Sat, Nov 23 |  | @ Florida | L, 24-17 |
| Sat, Nov 30 |  | vs Mississippi State | W, 26-14 |