Ole Miss offense helps sort pitching in rout of Arkansas State

OXFORD | Ole Miss had a plan going into Wednesday.

The Rebels, of course, wanted to win the game first and foremost, but beyond that Ole Miss needed an offensive outburst to allow some stress-free innings on the mound. The plan was a by-committee approach to help counteract the recent poor weather and set the staff appropriately for the weekend at Tulane.

Arkansas State tried to spoil all the situations by reaching with the first four batters of the game against Gunnar Hoglund, who was making his first start of his career. Two runs crossed, there was a meeting on the mound and things seemed shaky.

Then order was restored.

Hoglund struck out three straight hitters, Ole Miss put up a five-spot in the first inning, and the game was a rout, as the Rebels rolled 15-3 over the Red Wolves at Swayze Field. Thomas Dillard and Tyler Keenan both hit home runs, and Keenan had a career-high five RBIs against the overmatched Arkansas State pitchers. Dillard hit a triple also and is 7-for-10 on the season. Ryan Olenek had four hits.

“It could have been ugly (early) but it wasn’t,” Mike Bianco said. “We needed the big offensive day after Saturday, and Gunnar showed us something. It was good to play a lot of guys and get the big night.”

Ole Miss’ 19 hits as a team are the most since May 2016 against Kentucky when the Rebels had 21 hits. Cole Zabowski and Grae Kessinger had three hits each.

The offensive outburst gave Bianco freedom to pitch as needed for the future. Hoglund went two innings and 45 pitches, allowing three runs. Houston Roth and Connor Green also went two innings each, using 34 pitches and 27 pitches, respectively.

Doug Nikhazy (18 pitches), Jordan Fowler (13 pitches) and Tyler Myers (24 pitches) each threw an inning. Closer Parker Caracci hasn’t appeared in a game this season.

“We got everyone in like we wanted except Caracci,” Bianco said. “With the score it would have been stupid to put him out there late in the game. Otherwise we got our work done, and we really pitched well past the third inning.”

1. Dillard was a dynamo offensively, but the bigger deal on this night — as it pertains to the season — was his solid job behind the plate. Getting the first start of his career at catcher, Dillard received well and managed the game effectively. There weren’t any major issues, and he made quality decisions throughout the night. He also handled breaking balls well early in the game when things could have unraveled a bit for Ole Miss.

Arkansas State didn’t test him really, but the throws to first on assists were strong and accurate, and he’s more flexible than he had been prior to significant work at the position during past summers. Ole Miss needs Cooper Johnson to excel, but the first night gives the Rebels hope Dillard can be fine when needed at the position. He earned more looks for sure.

2. Hoglund was fine once he settled in. He showed some maturity by steadying himself following the early barrage. The fastball was 90-91 MPH and just OK, but the breaking ball showed excellent depth and was the pivotal pitch to get him out of the first inning. Adrenaline and nervousness caused him to overthrow. In hindsight, it’s an excellent decision to get him on the mound before the start this weekend. Arkansas State wasn’t going to win this game.

3. The best performance of the newcomers was Nikhazy from a stuff standpoint. The cutter was very sharp, and he gets good life on everything from the left side. Arkansas State hit a couple bleeders for hits, but the 12 strikes in 18 pitches showed some command, and everything exploded from his hand.