OXFORD – Senior outfielder Tristan Bissetta hit two home runs for Ole Miss Tuesday afternoon, leading the Rebels past Austin Peay 9-5 at Swayze Field.
Ole Miss (17-5) did not score a run after the third inning and finished the game 1 for 6 with runners in scoring position. Rebel batters took eight walks and two hit-by-pitches.
“It’s kind of hard to get too frustrated when you put nine on the board, and again, the walks and HBPs, you talk about 10 free bases, those count,” Ole Miss head coach Mike Bianco said. “But we have to continue to make some improvements with our at-bats.”
The Rebels used a combined six pitchers in the game. Junior Owen Kelly started for the Rebels and pitched a scoreless two innings. Sophomore Owen Hancock pitched 2 1/3 scoreless innings with four strikeouts.
Perhaps the day’s biggest news came several hours before first pitch, as head coach Mike Bianco announced sophomore star pitcher Cade Townsend – who left his start at Texas on Saturday with shoulder soreness – had a clean MRI that showed “mild inflammation” and “will begin rehab and throwing today and will progress day-by-day.” Townsend is 2-0 with a 0.92 ERA this season with 32 strikeouts and seven walks over five starts.
Bissetta launched his first home run in the first inning, a two-run bomb to center field. Ole Miss loaded the bases in the second and scored five runs in the inning, including two on a double from senior catcher Collin Reuter. Sophomore Terry Hayes Jr. surrendered four runs in the third inning.
Ole Miss scored its last two runs of the day in the bottom of the third via Bissetta’s second two-run home run that provided the Rebels with a bit of breathing room. Austin Peay (11-10) scored a run in the fifth, wrapping up the game’s scoring.
“No doubt there’s some things that have been clicking swing-wise and just approach,” said Bissetta, who has five home runs in the Rebels’ last six games and leads the team with 11. “… I just feel confident at the plate, and you just want to keep that going.”
Ole Miss hosts No. 15 Kentucky for a three-game series starting today. First pitch in Game 1 is set for 7 p.m., and the game will be broadcast on SEC Network.
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