Ole Miss Out Powers Racers (Photo Gallery)

After a night of a high-powered offense displayed by the Ole Miss Rebels Tuesday night in Memphis, Tenn., Wednesday’s game against the Murray State Racers opened slowly at the plate. In the end, Ole Miss cranked it up and defeated Murray State by the score of 8-5.
Ole Miss (27-8) drilled 15 hits against a line of Murray State hurlers.
Through the first three innings of the game, Swayze Field fans watched a true pitchers dual. Things heated up on the chilly evening in the fourth inning when Murray State pushed across three runs. The Rebels topped the Racers with six of their own in the bottom of the inning on a flurry of hits.
Coach Mike Bianco discussed after the game how well his offense preformed.
“We were terrific offensively,” said coach Bianco. “Things started off slow. It was a bad night for us on the mound. They score three and shot a double down the line, and then we answered with six runs. It was a big night for us offensively. We had several guys with multiple hits. Braxton Lee had a big night. J.B. Woodman had three hits, as well as Austin Knight, and others.”
The Racers got things going in the top of the fourth. Rebels starter Evan Anderson gave up back-to-back walks to open the inning. Then Kollin Dowdy doubled down the right field line, which brought home the first two-runs of the game. Murray State would add an additional run in the frame.
Will Allen opened the home-half of the fourth with a double to center field. Brantley Bell followed with a single, scoring Allen. Sikes Orvis doubled to left center, moving Bell to third base. Then John Gatlin brought Bell into score on a fielder’s choice. Knight would then single to right field.
At the end of the frame, the Rebels had pushed across six as the Rebels sent ten men to the plate.

Junior, Braxton Lee, ended the night going 3-for-4 at plate, with one run scored.
Ole Miss added an additional run in the sixth inning.
Murray State tacked on there last two runs of the game in the seventh to draw closer to the Rebels.
Ole Miss would end up scoring its final run in the seventh inning.

Anderson worked a total of three-plus innings, giving up no hits.
Coach Mike Bianco called on the arms of Matt Denny, Preston Tarkington, Austin Blunt, Scott Ashford, Cheyne Bickel and Wyatt Short following Anderson’s early exit in the fourth.
Denny picked up his first win on the season and Short picked up his second save.
The Rebels return to the diamond on Friday night to begin a three-game series with the Mississippi State Bulldogs in Starkville, Miss.
With this game, HottyToddy.com begins a focus on Rebel baseball that will bring you more sights and sounds of the game.
At selected ballgames, we’ll bring you bonus photos that capture game action, plus some of the color and atmosphere that surrounds Ole Miss baseball. Enjoy these images from a cool, clear evening at Swayze Field.








—Adam Brown, HottyToddy.com sports editor
Photo’s by Andy Knef, editor of HottyToddy.com