Ole Miss Edges Kentucky In SEC Opener
Rebels slip by the Wildcats 3-2 in 10 innings.
March 14, 2003
OXFORD, Miss. - Charlie Babineaux scored on a one-out error with the bases loaded to give Ole Miss a 3-2 win over Kentucky Friday night in front 1,991 at Oxford-University Stadium/Swayze Field in the Southeastern Conference opener for both schools.
Ole Miss improved to 11-6, 1-0 in the SEC, with the win, while Kentucky dropped to 7-9 and 0-1 in the conference.
Pinch-hitter Dustin Cliburn drew a walk from Kalen Gibson to open the bottom of the 10th. Matt Mossberg then attempted a sac bunt, however, Gibson attempted to force pinch-runner Charlie Babineaux at second. Babineaux beat the throw to second and Mossberg reached safely to put runners on first and second. Charlie Waite then reached on a bunt single to load the bases.
After Gibson coaxed Matt Tolbert popped out to third for the first out of the inning, Swearingen bounced an 0-1 pitch to short, however, Joe Naill could not make the play allowing Babineaux to score the winning run.
Junior right-hander Jeremy Zick (1-1) pitched 2 1/3 scoreless innings of relief to earn the win. Zick allowed one hit and one walk, while striking out one.
Freshman right-hander Kalen Gibson (2-1) suffered the loss, allowing the one unearned run on two hits and two walks in 1 1/3 innings.
Ole Miss out-hit Kentucky 11-4 on the evening, however, the Rebels stranded 15 runners on base, including 10 in scoring position. Chad Sterbens and Waite both recorded three hits each to lead Ole Miss, and freshman Brian Pettway hit his first career home run with a solo home run in the fifth to tie the game at 2-2.
Brad Pickrell went 2-for-4 with an RBI to lead the Wildcats at the plate.
Ole Miss and Kentucky will continue the weekend's three-game SEC series Saturday at 1:30 p.m., at Oxford-University Stadium/Swayze Field.
Ole Miss 3, Kentucky 2 (Mar 14, 2003 at Oxford, Miss.)
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Kentucky............100 010 000 0 - 2 4 1 (7-9, 0-1 SEC)
Ole Miss............100 010 000 1 - 3 11 3 (11-6, 1-0 SEC)
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Pitchers: Kentucky - S. Wade; J. Archer(8); K. Gibson(9). Ole Miss - M. Holliman; Jeremy Zick (8)
Win-Jeremy Zick(1-1) Loss-K. Gibson(2-1) T-3:08 A-1991
HR UM - B. Pettway (1).
Game notes:
HR DISTANCES: Pettway (UM) 373'-5th.
UM: 2-4 in 1-run games this season.
UK: 3-4 in 1-run games in 2003.
Game: UM0314
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Hotty Toddy, Rebs!!! I'm looking for a sweep in our first SEC series of the year.
