The Rebels are one win away from their first national title in program history after a dominant victory against Oklahoma by a score of 10-3.
Ole Miss did not waste any time getting on the scoreboard. An RBI single hit by LF Kevin Graham scored team captain Tim Elko to give the Rebels their first run in the College World Series championship series. DH Kemp Alderman followed up with an RBI single that scored Graham, giving the Rebels an early 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning.
In addition, the Rebels continued to score as an RBI single hit by senior 3B Justin Bench knocked in RF Calvin Harris in the second inning. Tim Elko proceeded to rope a solo line drive home run in the third inning to give Ole Miss a 4-0 lead.
TIM. ELKO.
📺 ESPN pic.twitter.com/gUUNwfZ2lA
— Ole Miss Baseball (@OleMissBSB) June 25, 2022
Oklahoma, on the other hand, struggled offensively due to a dominant start by Ole Miss sophomore RHP Jack Dougherty. The Sooners were unable to get their bats going until the sixth inning when the team loaded the bases and scored off a throwing error and a walk.
Fortunately for the Rebels, the offense punched right back. Back-to back-to-back home runs hit by CF TJ McCants, RF Calvin Harris, and 3B Justin Bench in the top of the eighth inning would add four insurance runs and essentially put the game away. This was the first time this feat had been accomplished in the CWS since 1998.
BACK. TO. BACK. TO. BACK.
📺 ESPN pic.twitter.com/qAtdFtVFnU
— Ole Miss Baseball (@OleMissBSB) June 26, 2022
Jack Dougherty earned the win after going five innings, striking out six batters, and only allowing two earned runs. Rebel RHPs Mason Nichols and Josh Mallitz also contributed two innings each and only allowed one run altogether.
“I tried not to think about it too much. I just wanted to go out there and be myself,” said Jack Dougherty when asked how he was able to keep composed after being announced the starting pitcher for game one. “I found out yesterday that I was starting. My mom actually got mad at me because I didn’t tell her. I didn’t want to think about it too much. I didn’t want to get in my own head. I just wanted to go out and pitch.”
“It felt like Swayze Field because of how many Ole Miss, and because how partisan maybe it was,” said Coach Mike Bianco on the crowd at Charles Schwab Field. “But man, it felt like a football game out there. On the field, it was that loud. Swayze’s been pretty loud, but I don’t know if it’s ever been that loud.”
The two teams will face off again on Sunday, June 26 at 2 p.m CT. The game can be watched on ESPN.
