DADS OF THE WORLD UNITE.
THIS IS OUR DAY.
No, it’s not Father’s Day. It’s “kids get in free, $1 hot dog, 4 p.m. central standard time start at Swayze Field” day.
It doesn’t matter who Ole Miss is playing (a guy named Murray?). What matters is that you can get one of the best sandwiches in town for a buck, bring your kids for no charge, and help rear and mold them into red-blooded, baseball-loving Americans.
Knock off early, your boss probably doesn’t even notice you’re there half the time, or maybe you are the boss - let your people go.
We’re talmbout the No. 9 Ole Miss Rebels (7-0), undefeated and closing up a eight-game home stand against the Murray State Racers (3-3). The Rebels have posted a 7-0 start for the second consecutive season and Houston Roth will be looking to make it 8-0. If Hoth and the Rebs get it done tonight, it would be the first time since 2008 (9-0 start) that a Mike Bianco club started out this hot.
Roth pitched four innings last week against Memphis in a solid appearance highlighted by six strikeouts. He’s got a scorching 2.57 earned run average and a 1-0 record on the early season. On the opposing bump for Murray State is lefty Luke Brown with a whopping 27.00(!) earned run average, though only in one inning (that’s three earned runs in that one appearance). Here’s hoping that earned run average lives up to its record.
This game is a clear tune-up for Long Beach State this weekend on the West Coast (the best coast) for Ole Miss. After two competitive weekend series, this was clearly a built-in game for the Rebels to have some confidence going into a challenging road trip.
If you get froggy, swing on by left field and look for two kids covered in condiments and dirt who will “definitely be leaving by 5:30 p.m.” according to texts I sent my wife.
The numbers
Complete Ole Miss stats | Complete Murray State stats
How to watch
First pitch: 4 p.m. CT
TV: NONE
Online streaming: WatchESPN.com
Game-time weather: 66°, mostly cloudy, 5% chance of rain
Projected pitchers
Ole Miss: RHP Houston Roth (1-0, 2.57 ERA)
Murray State: LHP Luke Brown (0-1, 27.00 ERA)