By Jeff Roberson 

Ole Miss starter Hunter Elliott had seven strikeouts and allowed just one hit during five innings Friday, guiding the Rebels to a 9-1 victory over visiting Wright State in the first of three games this weekend in Oxford.

The Rebels took the lead in the first inning on a Mitchell Sanford double that scored Luke Hill, who had singled and moved to second on a balk.

In the third inning, Elliott worked out of a jam. The Raiders got a one-out double followed by two straight walks to load the bases, but a 6-4-3 double play (Luke Cheng to Owen Paino to Judd Utermark) on a ground ball by WSU’s Patrick Fultz ended the threat.

The Rebels opened up their lead in the bottom of the third. Hayden Federico singled to get things started, followed by a walk from Hill. Ryan Moerman doubled to left to score Federico. After an out, Utermark hit a towering 445-foot home run to left to make the score 5-0.

After Elliott worked through the top of the fourth, Ole Miss picked up another run in the bottom of the inning. After Paino singled, followed by walks from Cheng and Federico, a fly out to left scored Paino, but that’s all the Rebs could get and led 6-0 through four complete.

Alex Canney replaced Elliott to begin the sixth and gave up no runs. The Rebels got three more runs in the bottom of the sixth. After Cheng was hit by a pitch and Federico walked, back to back doubles by Moerman and Sanford put Ole Miss up 9-0.

Moerman’s 3-for-5 day with three RBI and two runs scored paced the Rebel offense. Sanford, Utermark, and Federico each had two hits. Ole Miss had 12 hits to six for Wright State.

After two were aboard for the Raiders in the top of the seventh, Dane Thomas reached on a Rebel error which allowed a run to score. Cade Townsend came in for Canney, and allowed no more runs. It was 9-1 Rebels at stretch time.

Patrick Galle pitched the ninth for the Rebels to close out the game.

Elliott (3-0) got the win. WSU starter Griffen Paige (0-2) got the loss.

The Rebels (8-1) and the Raiders (3-4) continue the series at 4 p.m. today.