Ole Miss 'learning how to win' as Judd Utermark walks-off Arkansas State in 10 innings
If the Ole Miss baseball team is going to take a step towards improving off the last couple seasons it is going to have to win games like the one on Tuesday.
Returning home from Texas with a pair of wins over ranked opponents Ole Miss kicked off its home slate with Arkansas State at Oxford-University Stadium. Another typical game between the Rebels and Red Wolves ended with a Judd Utermark two-run walk-off home run in the bottom of the 10th inning for the 4-2 victory.
Throughout the game Ole Miss (3-1) held a 2-0 lead until the ninth inning when Connor Spencer entered to try and close it out. Instead the Red Wolves (1-3) used an Owen Paino error and a tough outing by Spencer on the mound to tie the game.
From there the Rebels showed they are possibly turning the corner and battling to win games they have been losing in the last couple years.
“Proud of our team staying in the game, staying in the fight because you never know how big this game can be,” Utermark said. “Learning how to win in these situations is probably the most valuable thing to take away from it.
Utermark was responsible for three of the Rebels runs, including when he stole home in the bottom of the fourth inning for the first score of the game.
Runs were at a premium with the Ole Miss bats struggling against the Arkansas State pitchers. Outside of Utermark’s one hit the Rebels managed only four more the entire game.
“They’re always tough at-bats against Arkansas State,” Utermark said. “I wish I could tell you a sole reason why but they have really good pitchability. They throw the ball in the zone and they just get those outs that you wish you had as hits.”
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For Ole Miss, outside of Spencer’s outing it was a good day for the pitching staff.
Starter Alex Canney made his debut going three innings of shutout baseball giving up one hit. He struck out four and walked another.
The combination of Owen Hancock, Brayden Jones, Hudson Calhoun, Walker Hooks and Gunnar Dennis gave up a total of three hits and recorded six strikeouts to go with a pair of walks.
For Spencer it was an outing that was nearly the exact opposite of his season debut against Arizona on Friday.
“He’s just got to get in the strike zone a little more,” Bianco said. “I think for him, specifically, he’s got to be in some good counts and he’s got to be able to lay in some offspeed pitches as well. Biggest thing is he hasn’t been in enough good counts, for him.”
Ole Miss continues its 13-game opening homestand on Friday, hosting Eastern Kentucky for a weekend series. First pitch is set for 4 p.m. CT
