JONESBORO, Ark. (4-23-2008) ? The Arkansas State Indians battled 21st-ranked Ole Miss to a 4-4 tie through seven innings, but a two-run home run from Rebel freshman third baseman Logan Williams broke the deadlock, and Ole Miss went on to defeat ASU 9-4 Wednesday night at Tomlinson Stadium and Kell Field.
Arkansas State trailed 4-2 heading into the bottom of the seventh, but tied the game at 4-4 when freshman pinch hitter Murray Watts hit a two-run home run to center field. Watts' homer drove in freshman first baseman Drew Benes, who doubled to lead off the frame for the Tribe. The home run was the first of Watts' career.
“It was certainly good to get the home run from Murray, and get it at a big time,” said ASU Head Coach Keith Kessinger. “Murray has tremendous power, and he is a guy that can be a difference-maker at the plate.”
Arkansas State jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first when senior shortstop Ryan Hudgins singled through the left side to drive in a run, but Ole Miss responded with four runs in the top of the second.
A leadoff home run from first baseman Matt Smith got the inning going for the Rebels. Shortstop Tim Ferguson drove in a run later in the inning, and a two-run double from catcher Brett Basham closed out the second-inning scoring for Ole Miss.
Arkansas State junior second baseman Brandon Eller sent an RBI single into center field in the sixth to cut the Rebel lead to 4-2 and set the stage for Watts' game-tying shot in the seventh, but Ole Miss responded with Williams' homer in the eighth to go back on top 6-4.
The Rebels added three more in the ninth to set the 9-4 final.
Rory McKean (4-0) earned the win for Ole Miss, while junior Chris Bullington (0-3) took the loss for Arkansas State, despite giving up just two runs on two hits in five innings of work. Bullington struck out four Rebels and walked three.
