Rebel Baseball's Back at Swayze! Ole Miss Hosts the Missouri Tigers

SEC Baseball is back at Swayze this weekend, with the No. 14 Ole Miss Rebels hosting the Missouri Tigers in Oxford after losing 2 or 3 on the road to then-No. 1 South Carolina. Missouri also lost their SEC opening series, falling to Tennessee in Colombia (the Missouri one). Most preseason projections had these 2 teams picked toward to bottom of their respective divisions in the deep Southeastern Conference, but the Rebels have, thus far, given reason for optimism with a hot start and solid play against the elite Gamecocks. The Tigers, on the other hand, have not done much to silence their critics.

The Rebels will need to take the series or complete the sweep, as the Tigers do present a very winnable series, a rarity from here on out.  With many of the easier series at home this season, it is imperative for the Rebels regional hosting hopes to capitalize on the these opportunities.

Rebs Beat Red Wolves in Midweek

It was a tight 4-3 win, but a win nonetheless.

But, even though we've already called this one "very winnable," the Tigers have shown the ability to play solid baseball at times. Earlier in the year they took two-of-three from Southern Miss, a better out of conference opponent than most SEC teams scheduled. They are capable enough - after all, they're in the SEC. The Rebels will still have to show up and play sound baseball.

Missouri comes to Swayze averaging nearly 1.5 strikeouts for every walk and a 66% success rate in stolen bases.  As a team the Tigers are hitting .266 and have hit only four home runs.  By contrast, the Rebels are struggling in the SO/BB ratio, averaging nearly 1.8 strikeouts per walk, however, the Rebels have remained solid on the bases with a 80% steal success rate. The Rebels are also hitting nearly 0.50 points higher, have ten more home runs, and are scoring nearly a full run more per game than Missouri.

On the bump, Mizzou's got a hell of a Friday starter in Brett Graves. Graves, a right handed junior, is off to a great start for the Tigers. Entering Friday's game, he is 3-1 on the year with a 1.30 ERA through five starts. In 34.2 innings of work, Graves has only allowed 21 hits.  Brett has also struck out 27 men compared to just 5 walks. Opponents are only hitting .168 off Brett this season with just three extra base hits. Last season Brett was only 2-5 over 13 starts and a 3.80 ERA.

Graves will face off against righty Chris Ellis who is currently 3-0 with a 0.82 ERA for the Rebels. Chris has 21 strikeouts in 33.0 innings pitched, and opponents are only hitting .196 against him this season.

Saturday starter Eric Anderson, a right handed senior, is 0-2 on the year with a 2.77 ERA over three starts and a relief appearance. In only 13 innings of work, Eric has allowed 13 hits. However, he has also struck out 13 men while only walking one.  Opponents are hitting .260 off him this season. Eric has only allowed two extra base hits in 50 at bats. Eric only appeared in ten games last year as he spent a majority of the first part of the season recovering from Tommy John surgery.

Eric Anderson will face off against lefty Christian Trent who is 2-0 with a 3.48 ERA. Through 31 innings, Trent has struck out 30 men while only allowing a pair of walks. Opponents are hitting .212 this season off Christian.

Sunday starter John Miles, a right handed junior, is 2-1 on the season with a sky high 5.76 ERA in five starts. In 25 innings of work, Miles has allowed 32 hits with 21 strikeouts and four walks. Opponents are hitting .314 off Miles this season, including nine extra base hits.  Last season, Miles only pitched in 23.0 innings, but posted a 2.35 ERA.

Jordan will face off against Mr. Sunday Sizzle, Sam Smith, whose 3-1 record with a 1.84 ERA has really impressed. Smith has 18 strikeouts to seven walks in 29.1 innings pitched.  Opponents are hitting .239 off him this season.

Team Pitching Stats:

• ERA: Missouri 3.12 (13^th in SEC)
  Ole Miss 2.08 (6^th in SEC)
• Opposing Batting Average: Missouri .268 (13^th SEC)
  Ole Miss .217 (7^th SEC)
• Strikeouts: Missouri 138 (T-11^th SEC)
  Ole Miss 75 (4^th SEC)
• Runs Allowed: Missouri 73 (9^th SEC)
  Ole Miss 56 (6^th SEC)
• Hits Allowed: Missouri 184 (12^th SEC)
  Ole Miss 156 (6^th SEC)