The Rebel bats finally came alive in Memphis last night as Ole Miss defeated Memphis 7-5. Things looked a little shaky as Memphis lead through four innings 3-0. However, the Rebs were able to string together some multi-hit innings in the 5th and 7th to gain the lead and hold on for the W. Memphis might not sound like a powerhouse club, but leading into last night's game, they had won 13 of their last 15 games. Ole Miss will go for the sweep of Memphis when they come to Oxford April 22nd.
Swayze Swag levels:
RISING
Will Golsan: Will took Tate Blackman's spot at 2nd base last night as well as this past weekend against Arkansas. In last night's game, Will went 3-4 with one walk. Will has the speed it takes to be a lead off hitter as well as the eye to wait on pitches and get on base. Should be interesting to see if he fills that slot again this weekend.
Two out rallies and timely hitting: I can't remember the exact stats, but Ole Miss had somewhere around 10+ hits with two outs against Arkansas this past weekend. Last night, the Rebs had seven hits with two outs. Maybe the timely hitting is finally coming around after an abysmal start leading into the Arkansas weekend. With bases loaded, Ole Miss was 2-34.
HOLDING STEADY
J.B. Woodman: J.B. went 3-4 with three hits and one RBI last night. He's not exactly stinking it up on the season (.270/.470/.400: avg./slg./ob%) but he's definitely not where the teams needs him to be in the line up. If you catch the warm up ball this weekend in RF, please be sure to write encouraging notes to J.B. i.e. "Reach for the stars. Follow your dreams. Never give up. That TN right fielder throws worse than Brent Schaeffer....oh and his mom's a whore." etc.
FALLING
Team batting average: Ole Miss is now dead last in team batting in the SEC. But guess who's second to last?!?!? Our next SEC opponent Tennessee! I'm honestly more confident in our weekend (ok maybe just Friday and Saturday) rotation than our mid-week starters, so I think that bodes well for us hosting the Vols.
Consistency in the line up: Hot dog. Granted I know this is a young team but that's no excuse. This much movement in the lineup/batting order when we are almost to the midpoint of the season is frustrating as a fan, but even more so as a coach. I'd guess the lead off hitter has changed a handful of times along with the DH. Sure some of it is righty vs. lefty pitching match-ups, but it's probably more hot vs. cold. Our whole team seems to be swinging back and forth like Miley Cyrus.
GRILLIN' AND CHILLIN'
How much would you like to wager that I can make your mouth water with one word.......Ajax. Boom. Pay up son. Ajax is the quintessential soul food restaurant of Oxford that is on every visiting fanbase's restaurant bucket list. If you've been to Ajax and believe in everything that is good about humanity, you've eaten the meatloaf. I don't know who Matty Mom is but she can cook for me anytime. I called Ajax one day on the slight chance that they might share their meatloaf recipe. They were more than willing and told me all I had to do was swing by the restaurant and they would take a picture of the recipe on my phone. Granted the recipe is geared towards ten pounds of ground beef, but it doesn't take a rocket surgery mathematician to make it more manageable for your kitchen oven.
- 2 lbs. ground beef
- 1 egg
- 1 cup chili sauce (glorified/spiced ketchup, I use entire bottle of the Kroger brand)
- 1/2 cup bread crumbs
- just under 1/2 cup minced garlic. I've tried a puree before and the loaf didn't hold together
- oregano, salt, pepper...eyeball it
- 1/3 cup shredded mont jack cheese.