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How Hunter Elliott's 'guts' kept crazy Ole Miss NCAA Tournament stat going vs Auburn

AUBURN, AL — Ole Miss baseball got a somewhat standard performance from starting pitcher Hunter Elliott in the super regional.

When it happens in the NCAA Tournament, that's good for the Rebels.

The Rebels beat Auburn 6-4 on June 5 in Game 1 of a super regional at Plainsman Park. Ole Miss improved to 6-0 all-time in the NCAA Tournament when Elliott is the starting pitcher.

"He's got as much guts as anybody that's ever put on this uniform," coach Mike Bianco said of Elliott.

Elliott pitched 4⅓ innings against Auburn and allowed two earned runs. He limited what could have been a lot more damage.

Elliott walked more batters (four) than he struck out (two). His key was getting double plays. Auburn had the bases loaded in the second and thing innings but hit into double plays both times.

That why Bianco gushed about Elliott postgame. Elliott didn't have his best stuff, but he pushed through.

"On the mound, for our reporters and our fans that have seen Hunter Elliot for so many years, he can have games like that where it looks like it's not going to be his night," Bianco said. "But he just makes pitches and gets off the field."

Elliott was struggling coming into the game. His ERA over his previous five starts was 8.37 with 22 earned runs in 23⅔ innings.

Relief pitcher Hudson Calhoun (5-3) recorded the win. He relieved Elliott in the fifth and stranded two runners that were Elliot's responsibility.

Calhoun pitched 2⅔ innings and allowed one earned run. Closer Walker Hooks got the save and allowed one earned run over two innings.

"Of course a huge part of the game, besides the offense, was Calhoun coming in the fifth and getting off the field with a couple big outs," Bianco said.

Sam Hutchens covers Ole Miss for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at Shutchens@gannett.com or reach him on X at @Sam_Hutchens_

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Ole Miss improves to 6-0 in NCAA Tournament games Hunter Elliott starts

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