Ole Miss Scores Two Early, Holds On For 3-1 Win Over Vanderbilt

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Jonathan Swearingen led off the game with a home run to left field and Brian Pettway hit a RBI double down the third-base line as Ole Miss scored twice in the first inning then held on to win 3-1, Sunday, March 23, at Hawkins Field. The win gives the Rebels the series win and improves their record to 15-7 overall, 5-1 in the Southeastern Conference. Vanderbilt drops to 13-10 overall and 2-4 in league play.

Ole Miss starter Eric Fowler (1-1) struck out four and scattered five hits and a walk in 5.2 innings of work to get the win. Rebel reliever Jeremy Zick worked the final 2.1 innings, walking three but not allowing a hit to post his third save of the season.

Vanderbilt starter Jeremy Sowers (0-3) allowed four hits in the first inning, but settled down and gave up only one other hit during his six innings pitched. He surrendered five hits, two earned runs and two walks to go along with two strikeouts.

Vanderbilt managed to out-hit the Rebels 7-6. The Commodores' best chances to score came in the sixth and seventh innings. Back-to-back two-out singles by Warner Jones and Matt McGraner and a wild-pitch by UM reliever Brae Wright put runners on second and third base. But John Kaye grounded out to short to end the threat.

In the bottom of the seventh the Commodores pulled to with in a 2-1 score when Cesar Nicolas drew a bases-loaded walk off Zick. But Jones followed by hitting into an inning-ending fielder's choice putout at second base.

The Rebels added an insurance run in the ninth inning when Matt Mossberg drew a bases-load walk off Commodore reliever Nick Pilkington.

Mickey Kropf made his first start as a Commodore in the designated hitter's slot. He went 2-for-3 with two singles through the middle of the infield. Tony Mansolino also went 2-for-3 for Vanderbilt with a double down the third-base line and a single to right field.

Vanderbilt hits the road for four games this week. The Commodores travel to Austin Peay on Tuesday for a 6:30 p.m. CT contest. Vanderbilt plays at South Carolina this weekend in a three-game SEC series. Game times are 7 p.m. ET on Friday, 4 p.m. ET, on Saturday and 1:30 p.m. ET, on Sunday.