Zack Hess made his way back to the bullpen on Friday night and looked outstanding on the mound, helping the Tigers come away with an 8-3 win over the Ole Miss Rebels.
How It Happened:
Ole Miss struck first when Jacob Adams grounded out to first base in the top of the second, scoring Kevin Graham in the process. The Tigers responded in the bottom frame with Daniel Cabrera getting Chris Reid across with a groundout to first base.
Josh Smith opened things up in the third with a two-run single to center field, giving them a 3-1 lead. After Ryan Olenek grounded into a double play, Smith made it a two-run lead once again, scoring off of a fielding error by Graham.
The Rebels cut into the lead once again in the top of the seventh when Cooper Johnson drilled one out to left field. LSU slammed the door though in the eighth with a four-run inning that was capped off by a solo shot from Drew Bianco, son of Ole Miss head coach Mike Bianco.
Big Number: 13
The Tigers pitching staff was en fuego with a combined 13 strikeouts, seven of which came from Zack Hess in the bullpen. It looks like it is safe to say Wild Thing is back.
Player of the Game: Josh Smith
Josh Smith was phenomenal at the plate, going three-of-four with two RBIs in the win. It’d be easy to give the honor to Hess, but Smith definitely proved his worth.
Next Up; Saturday vs Ole Miss; First Pitch at 6:30 pm
-Clint Domingue