Lincoln Regional: Ole Miss advances to final with win over Huskers

After play was suspended late on Saturday night, Ole Miss shook off overnight rust on Sunday and slammed the door shut on Nebraska, 6-3, to advance to the regional final.

The Rebels (38-21) used a spectacular start from pitcher Taylor Rabe to build a 6-1 lead started by a two RBI double by Owen Paino. Rabe went six innings allowing only one run and striking out nine in what was just an unbelievable effort when it was needed most.

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Nebraska cut the lead to 6-3 with a two run home run by Max Buettenback pinch-hitting in the bottom of the eighth. Then torrential rain suspended play, and officials called for a 12 p.m. CT restart of the game.

Ole Miss had a brief threat in the top of the ninth before striking out three times in a row, and Nebraska started the bottom half of the ninth with two leadoff hitters getting on base. To Mike Bianco’s credit, he pulled reliever Landon Waters, inserted Hudson Calhoun into the crucial situation and the Rebels pulled together to finish off the Huskers.

Ole Miss will now get to watch Nebraska and Arizona State play an elimination game starting at 2 p.m. CT before the regional final tonight at 7 p.m. CT. Winning the first two games of any regional is just an enormous advantage, and whether its Nebraska or Arizona State, there will be no margin of error for either team against the Rebels.

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There is little doubt Cade Townsend will start tonight’s game for Ole Miss. The big question will be bullpen availability for Walker Hooks who pitched Friday night and if Waters or Calhoun could go again after short stints earlier in the day. I would think any of those three would personally be ready to go, but I think coaches will want to save them potentially for a Monday game if necessary.

Rebel fans, enjoy an afternoon of scoreboard watching, cheers!