Series Recap: Ole Miss Takes Two of Three

Bama bounced back on Sunday afternoon, claiming a 13-4 victory over the Ole Miss Rebels after losing a double header on Saturday. The Tide improved to 23-20 overall and 8-13 in the SEC, as they battle to stay in the top 12 in the league and be included in the SEC tournament.

With yet another rainout on Friday night the Tide faced their seventh double header of the year on Saturday, with games at Noon and 7 p.m. Taylor Guilbeau started game one for 'Bama and never seemed comfortable, as the first pitch he threw hit Connor Cloyd, and the second pitch he threw was drilled for a single by J.B. Woodman. Will Golsan and Colby Bartles lined RBI singles before there were any outs recorded, giving the Rebels a quick 2-0 lead.

Cody Henry led off the second for the Tide with a sharp single, but was thrown out trying to stretch the hit into a double, an out that was costly as Kyle Overstreet blasted a home run two batter later, cutting the lead to 2-1.Guilbeau worked a scoreless second, and allowed one run on three hits in the third. Although Guilbeau didn't walk any batters, he was continually behind hitters and had thrown 72 pitches through three innings.

When the lead off hitter in the fourth singled, Guilbeau was replaced by him roommate, Jay Shaw. Shaw got two quick outs before running into trouble with a walk, and a long three run home run by Colby Bortles, who ended the day 3-5 with five RBI. ' Bama scored its only other run of the game when Overstreet walked, advanced on a Georgie Salem single, and scored on an error.

Ole Miss added two runs in the fifth, and two in the sixth to end the scoring with a 10-2 victory. Christian Trent pitched eight innings for the Rebels and was the winning pitcher, allowing only three hits. Drake Robinson pitched the ninth and allowed two meaningless hits to the Tide. Guilbeau was tagged with the loss, dropping his record to 2-4 on the year.

Freshman Jake Walters received his second SEC start of the year for the Tide, and pitched another masterpiece in a losing effort. Brady Bramlett toed the rubber for the Rebels and the two engaged in a real, old fashioned pitching duel, as Walters allowed five hits and one run in his seven innings, with four walks and six strikeouts. Bramlett was even better, going 7.1 innings allowing four hits with no walks, nine strikeouts, and no runs. The Tide never really threatened to score in the game.

The Rebels got the only run they needed in the fifth on four singles, one on what would have been an inning ending double play ball that took a bad bounce over Mikey White's head at shortstop. 'Bama got a one out double from Chandler Avant in the eighth, but couldn't push him across. Ray Castillo replaced Walters in the eighth and was touched for two home runs and three runs, putting the game out of reach. 'Bama had four hits, three of which were doubles, with Avant going 2-3. Walters was the had luck loser and now has a 4-2 record with a sparkling 1.36 ERA.

With their backs against the wall, the Tide came out swinging in game three in Sunday, scoring early and often to claim the much needed victory. Geoffrey Bramlett started on the mound on the day of his 20th birthday, and was credited with his team leading sixth victory of the season.

Avant lead off and was hit by the first pitch from Will Stokes. Georgie Salem then singled, and Mikey White hit a double to the wall to score Avant. Cody Henry scored Salem on an RBI ground out, bringing Casey Hughston to the plate. Hughston launched his team leading sixth home run of the year into the right field bullpen for a 4-0 Tide lead. Stokes day was over after two outs and six batters.

Bramblett allowed an infield single to Errol Robinson leading off the second and Austin Knight hit a two run home run, cutting the Tide lead in half. 'Bama added a run in the fifth when Will Haynie lined a double down the right field line leading off. Chance Vincent was called on to bunt, but when he couldn't get the bunt down, he lined a single to center. Avant scored Haynie with a sacrifice fly to right.

Ole Miss cut into the lead in the fifth when J.B.Woodman hit his sixth home run of the year deep to right field. The Tide broke the game wide open in the seventh, scoring six times. Henry and Hughston both had one out singles, followed by an RBI single by J.C. Wilhite. Vincent's career high fourth hit of the game brought in another, as did Avant's single. Salem walked and White had a two run single, closing out the scoring for the inning.

Bramblett cruised thru the sixth and seventh before giving way to Mitch Greer. Greer allowed one run on two singles and a ground out in his inning of work. Haynie hit his fifth home run of the year in the top of the ninth, a deep blast over the left center fence. Thomas Burrows worked the ninth inning for 'Bama and had a perfect inning with two strikeouts.

The Tide collected 17 hits with Vincent having a 4-5 day, White a 3-3 with two walks,and Salem a 3-5 game. Hughston and Haynie both had two hits, including their home runs.

Alabama needed to win this series, but after losing the first two, they bounced back nicely to take game three, and hopefully will build on the good performance. Taking only one of three is not going to get the team where it wants to go, although they should be safely into the SEC tournament, as the top 12 teams make the affair.

*Vincent was 5-11 on the weekend
*Avant was 5-11
*Salem was 5-13
*White was 4-11 with two doubles and three RBIs

The Tide takes the field again Tuesday at the Hoover Met as The Southern Miss Golden Eagles come to town for a 6:30 p.m. first pitch, before the hot Arkansas Razorbacks come in for a Thursday- Friday- Saturday series, which once again will be must win for 'Bama.

Roll Tide

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