Memphis uses Ole Miss errors and miscues to hand Rebels first loss
OXFORD | Ole Miss right-hander Will Ethridge couldn’t make his start because of the flu.
But the Ole Miss defense seemed like the sick thing on Tuesday.
Memphis (5-2) handed the Rebels their first loss of the season, using four unearned runs thanks to four errors in the 9-6 decision that sends Ole Miss on to Texas with a sour taste.
The No. 11 Rebels (7-1) face Baylor, Texas Tech and TCU this weekend at Minute Maid Park in Houston. The Bears are up first Friday at noon.
"It turned into the team that didn't play very well defensively loses the game," Ole Miss head coach Mike Bianco said. "They played well, swung it well, and we gave a good team too many opportunities... For the first time all year we couldn't get off the field."
Ole Miss had won four of five in the series against Memphis, but the Tigers put up two three-run frames including the decisive sixth inning, when Memphis sent eight men to the plate and scored the three runs without a hit.
Two hit batters, two errors, a walk and a sacrifice fly happened in the inning, allowing Memphis to stretch a one-run lead to four runs. Tate Blackman and Cole Zabowski had the errors in the inning.
The Tigers took an early lead with three runs in the second inning, teeing off on Greer Holston fastballs. Memphis started the inning with a hit by pitch and laced two singles around a double in the inning. Holston struggled with offspeed location, and Memphis zoned in on 90 MPH straight ones.
"They got to Holston a little bit," Bianco said.
Holston took the loss, giving up five runs, four earned, in four innings. He struck out four without a walk. Ethridge was announced as the starter on Monday but was scratched Tuesday with the illness.
Thomas Dillard missed his second straight game with the flu, and Grae Kessinger was sick Tuesday, but the flu test was negative. Kessinger texted trainer Josh Porter last night and has been on medication throughout the day.
That didn't stop Kessinger from an offensive highlight, however. After Memphis went ahead 3-1, the freshman hit a ball into the home bullpen for his first career home run. It a three-run shot that put the Rebels ahead momentarily.
"I got down in the count early and then did whatever I could to get the runner in," Kessinger said. "He left a changeup up and I put good swing on it."
Blackman had three hits and scored a run.
Andy Pagnozzi relieved Holston and gave up three runs in 1.1 innings on one hit. None of the three were earned, as he tried to work around the Rebels' defensive miscues.
Freshman Houston Roth didn't allow a run in 2.2 innings. He's now thrown 4.2 scoreless frames this season with seven strikeouts.
Oxford native Jason Barber made his collegiate debut and gave up a solo home run in the one relief inning.
Ole Miss hit five Memphis batters in the game. Both teams had nine hits. The Rebels were 4-of-16 with runners on and 1-of-6 with runners in scoring position.