ATHENS, Ga. — It only took 13 innings for the first four batters in No. 17 Ole Miss’ lineup to tally a hit against the Georgia Bulldogs. In the 13th inning, Ole Miss’ broke out of its 0-for-18 slump in a big way, scoring three runs to lead the Rebels to a 4-3 victory over the Bulldogs at Foley Field.
With the score tied 1-1, Tim Ferguson ended his 0-for-10 skid against Georgia by leading off the 13th inning with a single to left field.
Taylor Hashman, who had entered the game as a defensive replacement for Matt Tracy in the eighth inning, then swatted the second pitch he saw from relief pitcher Chase Hawkins over off the batter’s eye in center field to send Ole Miss ahead 3-1.
Kevin Mort tacked onto Ole Miss’ lead later in the inning when his double down the first base line scored Matt Smith from third base.
Prior to the 13th inning, Ole Miss’ first four batters had been 0-for-18 with 13 strikeouts.
After surrendering two runs on three hits to lead off the bottom of the 13th inning, Ole Miss relief pitcher Eric Callender was pulled in favor of Trent Rothlin.
The junior right-hander didn’t disappoint, inducing one strikeout and two groundouts to strand Zach Cone at second base and end the game.
Callender picked up the win for Ole Miss, allowing two runs in 1.2 innings of relief work, while Rothlin picked up his first career save after pitching a hitless 13th inning.
Aaron Barrett, who started the game for Ole Miss, had another dominant day on the mound. In 7.1 innings, he allowed two hits and three walks while striking out a career-high 10.
Hawkins was tagged with the loss for Georgia, allowing three runs on four hits and one walk in one inning of work.
SNYDER TEST COMES BACK NEGATIVE: Scary moment in the 11th inning when Ole Miss designated hitter Matt Snyder was hit in the the helmet by a wild pitch and was on the field for several minutes. Following the game Ole Miss coach Mike Bianco said Snyder was taken to the hospital, received CAT scan and is going to be OK.
“I don’t think he ever lost consciousness because he was moving the whole time, but he was in a lot of pain and was dizzy,” Bianco said. “When that happens and you get hit by a 90-plus fastball in the head, and if it gets you in the right spot it scares you.”
NEXT UP: Ole Miss and Georgia will conclude their three-game on Sunday, with first pitch set for 1 p.m. CT.
Sophomore right-hander David Goforth will be making his third start of the season for Ole Miss. He carries a 6.26 ERA and is 1-1 in 13 appearances. Goforth has also struck out 15 and walked 12 in 23.0 innings. (April 10, 2010)
