Rebels sweep Tulane behind sudden power surge to stay unbeaten
OXFORD | Cooper Johnson had nine total bases during the course of five at-bats this weekend, hitting two home runs including one Sunday that separated Ole Miss from Tulane and led to a sweep of the series.
The Rebels overcame a sluggish offensive start and scored five runs in the sixth inning, with Johnson’s three-run home run the decisive blow of Ole Miss’ 6-3 win over the Green Wave (3-3). The Rebels were out-hit nine to eight, but two home runs and stellar situational pitching kept the Rebels undefeated.
Johnson had three hits this series, splitting time with fellow catcher Nick Fortes, and has seemingly put last season out of his mind.
“It’s confidence,” Johnson said. “I’m hitting in the mornings and not trying to do too much. See the ball and hit the ball. I’m trying to look for fastballs early in the count. I need to hunt the fastball.”
The sophomore started his college career 7-for-51 offensively, and it took him 47 at-bats to achieve those same nine total bases he pulled off in a 27-hour period this weekend. Johnson struck out seven times in his first 14 at-bats last year but has yet to strike out in the same number this season.
He’s hitting .357 with four RBIs after having eight RBIs in 105 at-bats last year. The numbers are striking and noticeable, but they were also expected. He had a hit in 12 of his last 17 games to close his first season, and the summer and fall saw some mental improvement have have turned into results quickly.
“Last year got a little tough on him,” Ole Miss head coach Mike Bianco said. “I think as much as anybody he really pressed. He’s so emotional and wants to do so well and when he started to fall off offensively it hurt him so much that it hurt his defense. He’s gotten off to a great start and looks good.”
That sixth inning started with a two-out single from Grae Kessinger. Ryan Olenek reached on a bunt and throwing error from Tulane starter Keegan Gillies, and Will Golsan hit a two-run single to give the Rebels their first lead at 3-2.
Golsan’s average was .105 at the end of Saturday, but he got the big hit and saved three runs with a run-and-catch near the warning track a half inning later.
“I told myself to stop hitting it at people,” Golsan said. “I tried to stay confident in my approach and just have solid contact.”
Johnson’s home run scored Golsan and Thomas Dillard, who had walked. Dillard also hit a solo home run in the fourth inning for the Rebels’ first run.
Freshman Jordan Fowler picked up the win, inheriting a two-on, one-out situation from starter James McArthur in the sixth inning. Fowler got out of it and then left the game, handing the ball in the seventh to Greer Holston with the same scenario. Holston also wiggled out to keep the lead at four runs.
The Wave scored a run off Will Stokes in the eighth, and Dallas Woolfolk got his fourth save of the season with a perfect ninth inning.
Tulane was 1-for-9 with runners in scoring position.
McArthur gave up two runs — one earned — on six hits in 5.1 innings. Two singles around a balk gave the Wave the first-inning lead, and then a passed ball put a runner in scoring position and led to a run off McArthur in the fifth inning. He struck out three and walked one.
“I think he was really good today,” Bianco said. “That’s a good offense over there… and they get some scary swings off. I thought James was excellent.”
Kessinger, Dillard and Golsan all had two hits for the Rebels.