STARKVILLE —It wasn’t pretty, but No. 16 Ole Miss got a 4-2 win in Game 1 over Mississippi State tonight at Dudy Noble Field.
With the game tied 1-1, the Rebels were able to jump on the Bulldogs in the eighth inning, plating three unearned runs.
Following a leadoff walk to Matt Snyder by starter Tyler Whitney (0-2), shortstop Jonathan Ogden bobbled what looked like a tailor-made double play off the bat of Zach Miller.
Alex Yarbrough laid down a successful bunt in the next at-bat and was safe when Whitney air-mailed the throw to first, loading the bases.
MSU skipper John Cohen opted to go to righty sidearmer Caleb Reed in relief of Whitney, but the change didn’t work. Reed walked Taylor Hashman, scoring Jordan King, who was pinch running for Snyder, to give the Rebels their first lead of the game at 3-1.
Following a Taylor Hightower pop-out, Reed slipped fielding a short chopper off the bat of Miles Hamblin, allowing Miller to score.
A sacrifice fly from Tim Ferguson in the next at-bat scored Yarbrough to round out the Rebels scoring.
Mississippi State responded by added one run in the bottom of the eighth off of closer Brett Huber, but wasn’t able to score another run.
After Mississippi State took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first, Hashman tied the game in the fourth with a solo home run that hooked just inside the left foul pole.
Ole Miss relief pitcher Matt Tracy picked up the win for the Rebels, allowing one run in .2 innings, while Whitney was saddled with the loss.
Ole Miss starter Drew Pomeranz was pulled in the bottom of the seventh after having thrown 118 pitches, his last off the back of Ryan Duffy’s head.
The Ole Miss left-hander allowed one run on five hits, while striking out 11 and walking one in 7.1 innings of work and received a no decision.
During the third inning the game was halted due to rain and lightning and was resumed just after 9 p.m.
NEXT UP: Game 2 is scheduled for a 6:30 p.m. start tomorrow — weather permitting — and will be televised on SportsSouth. (April 30, 2010)
