Tuesday, June 17, 2014

Ole Miss Wins First CWS Game Since 1969



That's what it looked like.

Here's what it sounded like from David Kellum. LINK.

John Gatlin and Aaron Greenwood were unlikely heroes in a 2-1 Ole Miss victory over Texas Tech in the College World Series - the first CWS win for Ole Miss since 1969, as the Rebels eliminated Texas Tech and survived to face the loser of tonight's match between TCU and Virginia.

Christian Trent pitched 8 scoreless innings for Ole Miss, but received little in the way of run support as the Rebels continued to struggle at offensively. Trent left the game after the 8th inning, nursing a 1-0 Ole Miss lead, but Texas Tech was able to get a runner home in the top of the 9th to force the game to a 1-1 tie headed into the bottom of the inning.

That's when Mike Bianco decided to rely on pinch hitters and runners to win it for the Rebels, which was fitting since pinch hitter Holt Perdzock had driven in the Rebels only other run back in the 7th.

In what was almost mind-boggling position maneuvering Bianco sent Greenwood, a pitcher, in to pinch run for Colby Bortles who had made it to 3rd base on a bad throw by the Texas Tech relief pitcher on what should have been a double play. It was a heads-up hustle move by Borltes to book it to 3rd, but he just did make it, as the 3rd baseman mishandled the throw.
Then John Gatlin, in just his 30th at-bat of the season, was sent to pinch hit. Why Bianco chose Gatlin in that moment is anyone's guess, given how little Gatlin has played this year, but Gatlin, who lost his grandmother just days ago, proved up to the moment. With the Red Raiders playing in, desperately trying to stave off the winning run, Gatlin blooped a single into right field to drive Greenwood home for the win.

As always, Josh McCoy was there to catch the huge moment on film. Check this out...he golfed it:
And the celebration was on...
One down, three to go. The Rebels must win three more games to escape the bracket and advance to the Championship round, with the next game to come Thursday at 7 p.m. Ole Miss just bought itself at least two more nights in Omaha.
Here's the video from the post-game press conference. It picks up at about the 6:17 mark: