Georgia State hands Ole Miss its first loss
Published 11:30 am Monday, February 24, 2014
For the first time this season, an opposing lineup found success against Ole Miss’ pitching staff. And, also for the first time this season, Ole Miss lost.
Chris Triplett went 3-for-5 with a triple, home run and three RBIs, Ryan Blanton also homered, and Georgia State handed Ole Miss its first defeat, 6-4 in the finale of a weekend series in Oxford.
The Rebels (6-1) had posted three shutouts and allowed a total of four runs in their first six games. On Sunday, however, Georgia State (4-3) had 14 hits and rallied twice in the latter innings to steal the win. It was Georgia State’s first road victory over a Southeastern Conference team since 2001.
“It was tough on all the pitchers today,” Ole Miss coach Mike Bianco said. “They are very good offensively, and it was just a tough day to pitch. Sam (Smith) really battled, but they got a lot of good swings off today throughout the game.”
Will Allen went 2-for-4 with a double and two RBIs for Ole Miss, and Colby Bortles had two hits. Five players, including Triplett and Blanton, had at least two hits apiece for Georgia State.
Ole Miss took a 4-3 lead on a two-out RBI single by Austin Anderson in the fifth inning, but Georgia State answered back with authority.
Triplett belted a two-run homer in the seventh inning to put the Panthers back in front, and Blanton hit a solo shot in the eighth for an insurance run. That was enough for Matt Rose, who pitched a complete game to get the win. The sophomore right-hander allowed four runs, four walks and eight hits, but settled down after giving up three runs in the first two innings. Ole Miss didn’t get a runner past second base after the fifth inning.
Sunday’s Mississippi college baseball scores
Millsaps 14, Blackburn 3
Holy Cross 6, Mississippi St. 1
Arizona 11, Alcorn St. 1, 1st game
Arizona 20, Alcorn St. 1, 2nd game
Delta St. 10, North Alabama 1
Georgia St. 6, Ole Miss 4
Kansas 11, Miss. Valley St. 1