Ole Miss secured a 5-1 victory over Nevada on Saturday at Oxford University Stadium/Swayze Field, clinching the weekend baseball series. The Wolf Pack fell to 0-2 after struggling to capitalize on early scoring opportunities.
Nevada managed to put runners in scoring position with none out in both the second and third innings but could only score once. Their lone run came in the second inning after Junhyuk Kwon singled and Billy Ham doubled, setting up Jackson Waller’s sacrifice fly. Ole Miss starter Cade Townsend struck out Jacob Doyle to end the threat with Ham stranded at third.
Ole Miss responded with three home runs off Nevada starter Alessandro Castro. Tristan Bissetta hit a two-run homer in the second inning, giving the Rebels a lead they would not relinquish. Tate Sirmans added a solo home run in the fourth, and Jedd Utermark contributed another solo shot.
Rominic Quiban led off the third for Nevada with a double, but Townsend worked out of trouble again by striking out two batters to end the frame. In total, Townsend pitched 4.2 innings, allowing one run on four hits and striking out eight.
Taylor Rabe earned the win for Ole Miss by pitching 3.1 scoreless innings in relief and striking out three batters. Castro took the loss for Nevada after surrendering four runs on six hits over 4.2 innings.
Seven different Wolf Pack players accounted for their seven hits, including doubles from Ham and Quiban. For Ole Miss, Bissetta finished 2-for-4 with a home run and three RBIs; Sirmans went 2-for-4 with a double and his solo homer.
The series will conclude Sunday at 11:30 a.m. PT.
