Arkansas eliminated from SEC Tournament

HOOVER, Ala. – Ole Miss pitchers Mike Mayers and Brett Huber combined on a six-hit shutout as the Rebels defeated No. 25 Arkansas, 2-0, on Wednesday at Regions Park.

With the loss, Arkansas is eliminated from the SEC Tournament. The Razorbacks are now 39-19 on the season, while Ole Miss improves to 35-23 on the year.

Mayers (5-3) earned the win on the mound, tossing seven shutout innings, allowing five hits and striking out eight. Huber picked up his 10th save of the season after throwing two shutout innings with three strikeouts.

Arkansas starter DJ Baxendale (7-4) pitched well, but took the loss. Baxendale gave up just one run on four hits and struck out five in six innings of work.

Brian Anderson had two hits to lead the Razorbacks at the plate. Bo Bigham, Tim Carver, Jacob Mahan and Jake Wise each had one hit.

Alex Yarbrough had a game-high three hits to lead Ole Miss. Zach Kirksey was 1-for-2 with a RBI and a run scored, while Sikes Orvis also drove in a run.

The Razorbacks had a chance to grab the early lead in the top of the third, but came up empty. Wise began the inning with a double down the left field line. After the next two batters struck out, Dominic Ficociello was intentionally walked to put runners on first and second. Matt Reynolds hit a fielder’s choice to third as Ficociello was retired at second to end the inning.

Ole Miss grabbed a 1-0 lead after scoring a run in the bottom of the fourth. Kirksey led off the inning with a triple to deep right-center field. After a strikeout of Auston Bousfield for the first out of the inning, Orvis grounded out to second to score Kirksey and put the Rebels in front.

The Rebels stretched the lead to 2-0 with a run in the bottom of the seventh. Three consecutive singles to start the inning loaded the bases and Kirksey hit a sacrifice fly to center to score Tanner Mathis.

In the ninth, Arkansas was able to get the tying run to the plate, but couldn’t score. Mahan singled with one out, but Huber retired Bigham and pinch hitter Michael Gunn to end the game and give Ole Miss the victory.

Arkansas will learn its NCAA Tournament fate on Monday, May 28, when the field of 64 is announced. The tournament field will be announced at 11 a.m. (CT) and the game selection show will be televised by ESPNU.