Sunday, June 8, 2014

Rebels Face Toughest Test Yet

You already know what happened last night.

Auston Bousfield lost a pop-up, Chris Ellis lost control, the first base ump lost his mind (what balk?!?), and a team full of Ragin Cajuns who lost their razors hit the cover off the ball, all of which caused Ole Miss to lose the first game of its Super Regional best of three series with Louisiana-Lafayette, 9-5.

Ole Miss is in danger of missing yet another College World Series.

It's almost comical. Almost.

Bousfield never drops pop flies. Never.
Chris Ellis has been good for six innings and one or two runs the entire season. He doesn't lose control and he certainly doesn't lose his composure.
Two things that weren't supposed to happen, happened, and now the Rebels are one loss away from a disappointing end to a great season.

They're also just one win away from forcing a game 3.

In steps Christian Trent (9-0, 2.37 ERA) to pitch the biggest game of his career. Trent's from Louisiana. He'll be pitching in front of friends, family and the million or so eyeballs watching on ESPN2. He'll be pitching for his team's life against one of the best baseball teams in the country in front of small but loud bunch of Ragin Cajuns hungry for a College World Series to go with their crawfish. It's win or go home, and baseball doesn't get any more pressure-packed than that.

Ole Miss earned a reputation for toughness this season. Tonight will be its toughest test yet.
First pitch is at 8 p.m.