Rebels double up UT Martin thanks to another offensive outburst

Ole Miss stayed with its recent formula on Tuesday night.

The Rebels took the series versus Tulane thanks to a lot of offense and solid bullpen work, and it was needed against UT Martin following a difficult top of the first. The Skyhawks took a four-run lead on Ole Miss starter Jordan Fowler, who allowed five runs in 1.2 innings, but the other parts of the roster made sure it didn’t matter.

Ole Miss doubled up the Ohio Valley Conference Skyhawks, 12-6, behind three home runs and two big innings. The Rebels scored four in the first to match UT Martin and then took charge with a 5-run third inning. Tyler Keenan, Thomas Dillard and Cole Zabowski hit home runs in the effort.

“What a huge luxury but obviously it’s bothersome to put yourself in bad position,” Ole Miss head coach Mike Bianco said. “Fortunately for us it’s a tremendous offense. They threw a punch and we punched back.”

Dillard has six home runs and 17 RBIs through seven games.

The Rebels (5-2) continue a nine-game homestand against Long Beach State this weekend.

The bullpen held the Skyhawks to one run in 7.1 innings, punctuated by a splendid first action from outfielder Ryan Olenek. The senior threw a perfect ninth, touching 92 MPH with his fastball and striking out two of the three batters faced. He admitted he was nervous but looked poised and filled up the strike zone with a quality breaking ball and the low 90s fastball.

Olenek's only other mound action with the Rebels was during the regional last year in mop-up duty, but we was an accomplished two-way player in high school.

“I was nervous but it felt good to finally get on the mound,” Olenek said. “Now we’re seriously thinking about it and it was nice to get it done.”

Olenek also went 3-for-4 with two doubles at the plate. Carl Gindl had four RBIs and a stolen base.

Connor Green got the win for the second game in a row, throwing 2.1 innings and allowing one hit. Taylor Broadway threw two scoreless innings and struck out three. All five relievers threw at least 60 percent of their pitchers for strikes, including Olenek throwing strikes on 10 of 12 pitches and Max Cioffi doing it on nine of 13 pitches.

Fowler got his first start of the season but allowed six the 12 batters faced to reach base. He struggled with command, throwing 19 balls in 38 pitches not put in play.