Rebels Take On Texas Tech in CWS Elimination Game

After an emotional roll coaster loss to Virginia on Sunday night, 2-1, Ole Miss takes on the Texas Tech Red Raiders on Tuesday afternoon in an elimination game.
Elimination games are just as final as they sound — the loser goes home; the winner stays alive. Despite the happiness and sense of accomplishment in getting to Omaha, no team wants to leave the CWS two and done. Look for a true nail- biter, edge-of-your-seat battle when the Red Raiders and Rebels face off this afternoon.
Texas Tech took on the in-state rival TCU Horn Frogs in their opener, taking the lead and the momentum in the top of the eighth inning by scoring two runs. The Red Raiders were led at the plate by Adam Kirsch, who went 2-for-4, while teammate Tyler Neslony went 1-for-4 with two RBI.
TCU was led by Cody Jones who went 2-for-4 with two runs scored.
The tough loss dropped Tech into the losers’ bracket to face the equally frustrated Ole Miss Rebels.
Ole Miss also erased a goose egg in the eighth when Cameron Dishon drove in a run with a ground-out. Then, in the bottom of the ninth, Virginia’s best hitter, Mike Papi, delivered the game-winning hit with a deep drive to center.
When the Rebels return to TD Ameritrade Park tomorrow to face the Red Raiders, let’s hope the usually explosive Ole Miss offense comes back to life. It’ll take more than the one hit they managed off Virginia’s pitchers, including starter Nathan Kirby, to beat the Red Raiders and keep Ole Miss’ hopes alive.
Coach Mike Bianco is expected to send reliable left-hander Christian Trent to the mound for the Rebels.
During the first round of opening games, teams with the lead all seemed to relinquish their advantage in the eighth inning. UC-Irvine came back on the Texas Longhorns and scored two runs to take the lead and eventually the game. The Louisville Cardinals attempted to come back against Vanderbilt, but the Commodores where able to hold off a rally to advance to the winners bracket.
First pitch today is set for 2 p.m. CST on ESPN2 or fans can listen to all the action on SirusXM or on the Ole Miss Baseball Radio Network.
Adam Brown is HottyToddy.com sports editor.