Luke Hill and Andrew Fischer send the kids home happy in Ole Miss' win over North Alabama
Tuesday brought about the annual ‘Kids Day’ game for Ole Miss baseball and taking on a familiar opponent for this particular event in North Alabama.
With somewhere between 6,500 to 7,000 elementary-aged school children in attendance at Oxford-University Stadium Ole Miss put on a show in its 9-4 win over the Lions.
Designated Hitter Andrew Fischer and second baseman Luke Hill each hit a home run as part of a combined eight runs across the third and fourth innings.
Hill has had a slow season in his first year with Ole Miss (22-18) but is trying to adapt to a new position, moving from short stop to the other side of the middle infield, and also working to get consistency at the plate.
“I thought I hit that one out but with my luck this season I thought it was going to hit the wall or something,” Hill said. “It feels good, (builds) confidence. Coming in, especially like these games you’re supposed to win and all that stuff. Just getting those ABs, getting the confidence back going into a big week against Alabama. Other people did well, as well.”
Coming into Tuesday Hill was tied for the the third most errors on the team with five. A few weeks back Ole Miss head coach Mike Bianco made the decision to switch Hill and move Brayden Randle to short stop.
The Rebels put up a clean sheet, defensively, against the Lions.
“I like it. We’re doing well over there. Defensively, I feel like everyone’s made a really good adjustment to it,” Hill said. “I’m all for it. It doesn’t bother me at all.
“I told (Bianco) in the fall, ‘Whatever you need I’ll do.’ So, I’m not going to go back on my word.”
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Ole Miss got four innings out of starter Grayson Saunier who was back on the mound after a lengthy layoff.
Not by Saunier’s doing as the long gap between appearances was due to Mother Nature washing out the last couple midweek games.
Saunier worked four innings, giving up a run off four hits and striking out three North Alabama batters. He was relieved by Kyler Carmack to start the fifth after throwing 51 pitches.
“That was tough. I really wanted to get out there the past couple weeks and got rained out,” Saunier said. “Stuff like that happens. I just have to keep being ready like I was today and just go out there and compete when I get the chance.”
The Lions (14-24) got a couple runners on base early but Saunier was able to work around the trouble.
Carmack allowed the biggest damage, giving up a three-run home run in the fifth. After Saunier it was an inning an arm out of the Ole Miss bullpen. Sam Tookoian, Mason Morris, Wes Mendes and Connor Spencer all came in behind Carmack.
Ole Miss (6-12 Southeastern Conference) has a short turnaround, hosting No. 23 Alabama (25-15, 7-11) for a Thursday-Saturday series with the return of TJ McCants to O-U Stadium. Opening game of the series is set for 6:30 p.m. CT first pitch.
