Rebels use 9-run inning to race past UAB in series opener

OXFORD | Ole Miss used a nine-run second inning and Will Ethridge's effective start to coast past UAB, 15-9, in the series opener in Oxford.

The Rebels (10-3) had 15 hits to cancel out four errors including six extra base hits. Game two is now scheduled for 7 p.m. Saturday. Zack Phillips gets the start for Ole Miss.

Ethridge went five innings and looked steady once again. He’s been effective each time out and seems fine for the second straight week following missing the start with the blister issue. The junior allowed just one earned run, as three crossed in the first thanks to three errors. Despite touching 95 MPH and having his best fastball velocity of the season, he struck out just one and scattered a couple walks.

In the first inning, Ethridge should have exited the frame with just eight pitches thrown, but Anthony Servideo and Grae Kessinger made back-to-back errors, and following a hit by pitch and single, Thomas Dillard made a fielding error that allowed a final run in the inning. Ethridge threw 76 pitches (47 strikes) in the five innings and located very well, using multiple pitches in all counts.

It’s his final work prior to conference play, and as long as the blister doesn’t resurface, he seems poised to anchor the rotation effectively. Ethridge didn't have an out pitch on Friday, not generating much swing-and-miss with his breaking bowl, however he still made it work. That's a good thing to see him manufacture outs without his best stuff.

The Rebels scored nine runs in the second inning, breaking open a three-run deficit following a half inning. Cole Zabowski had two hits in the frame including a two-run home run, and Kevin Graham hit a three-run home run for his first career hit, providing an early spark during his first start. Ryan Olenek had a double and a single in the inning. It was the first time The Rebels scored nine in an inning since a win versus LSU last season.

Ole Miss had 17 quality at-bats in a row at one point in the game.

Olenek had three hits after going hitless for the first time all season. He has five doubles and is now 15 shy of the school record for a career.

UAB (9-5) starter Tanner Graham entered the game with a 1.32 ERA, but it was clearly inflated against weekend opponents Holy Cross, SIU-Edwardsville and Radford. Tanner Graham didn’t have his typical command, and the mid 80s fastball from the right side was an issue. While the Rebels have struggled against lefties this season, Ole Miss is hitting .350 with an 1.052 OPS versus right-handers.

Kevin Graham's home run came on a fastball after he'd allowed two others to slip by him. He stayed in the at-bat and hit a no-doubter. It was a mature approach for a freshman without a hit on the season.

Taylor Broadway saved the bullpen with three mop-up innings. He’d been stellar the past two appearances but was banged around, giving up four extra base hits and three runs on five hits. With 28 strikeouts out of 41 pitches Broadway kept the ball in the strike zone, but fastballs got a lot of the plate. His appearances have often been paced by his success with the breaking ball. It can be a plus second pitch which takes some focus off the fastball that had a tendency to move toward the middle of the plate.

Considering Doug Nikhazy, Austin Miller and Connor Green all threw on Wednesday, the run production was important to limit the need for high-leverage innings on Friday. UAB is now 0-3 against SEC teams this season, losing one-run midweek games to MSU (3-2) and Alabama (4-3).

Ole Miss freshman Kaleb Hill gave up two hits and a run in the ninth inning, but the stuff was good, and he threw 11 of 16 pitches for strikes. He's been somewhat unlucky so far this season, causing him to fly under the radar. I expect the Rebels to continue to give him looks moving forward.

Ole Miss was 11-of-24 with runners on and 9-of-20 with runners in scoring position. UAB was 4-of-16 with runners on base.