In Oxford, the Ole Miss Rebels showcased their depth and resilience with a commanding 13-3 victory over Southeast Missouri, wrapping up a flawless nine-game homestand. Owen Kelly, a transfer from Saint Louis, played a pivotal role in this triumph, delivering 2.2 scoreless relief innings that steadied the ship before the Rebels' offense exploded.
Kelly entered the game in a tight spot during the second inning, with two runners on base. His first-pitch line out double play was a game-changer, keeping the Rebels' slim lead intact.
Head coach Mike Bianco praised Kelly's versatility and poise, noting, "He was a wild card we could bring in during an emergency, which kind of happened. Excited for him and pitched well."
At the time of Kelly's entrance, Ole Miss held a narrow one-run lead. However, the momentum shifted dramatically as they posted six runs in the next half inning, effectively putting the game out of reach. Despite SEMO's early-season struggles, now standing at 3-6, the Rebels' performance was nothing short of dominant.
Kelly's outing was a model of efficiency and control. He walked two batters, struck out one, and threw 21 of his 32 pitches for strikes, retiring eight of the nine batters he faced.
This performance was a stark contrast to his earlier outings, where defensive mishaps led to unearned runs against Nevada and Arkansas State. With a 50 percent ground ball rate from last year, Kelly's potential as a versatile bullpen asset is clear, provided he can minimize walks and errors.
The Rebels' offense, while quiet from the third through the sixth innings, erupted in the seventh. Kemp Alderman's three-run homer capped off the scoring, thanks to the 10-run rule.
Pitcher Cade Townsend humorously urged Alderman to aim for the fences, a suggestion that paid off. "I swung as hard as I could and sat fastball and got it," Alderman recounted, grateful the pitch wasn't a curveball.
Tristan Bissetta was a standout at the plate, going 3-for-4 with two runs and two RBIs. Collin Reuter continued his hot streak with two hits, adding to his tally of five doubles over the last four games. Topher Jones and Alderman also contributed with two hits each, the latter marking his first home run of the season.
The Rebels' pitching staff was equally impressive. Marko Sipila, making his debut after recovering from the flu, allowed a run on two hits and two walks in an inning.
Meanwhile, Patrick Collopy and Grayson Gibson each delivered a scoreless inning. Starter Terry Hayes gave up four hits and two runs in 1.1 innings, but the bullpen's strength was evident.
Ole Miss excelled with runners on base, going 10-for-19, and was particularly sharp with runners in scoring position, hitting 8-for-12. In contrast, SEMO struggled, managing just 4-for-17 with runners on.
As the Rebels prepare to face Baylor, Ohio State, and Coastal Carolina in Houston, their early-season form hints at a team ready to make waves. With Kelly and the bullpen stepping up, and the offense firing on all cylinders, Ole Miss looks poised for another exciting season.