Monday, March 22

This weekend, we traveled to Oxford, Miss., for our SEC opener against Ole Miss.

Even though we’ve faced quality competition thus far, SEC play is totally different. For the first four weeks of the season, every SEC team has compiled a winning record, showcasing the talent of our conference to other competition.

Our first SEC opponent carried a 15-1 record into the weekend. Boasting outstanding pitching and an even better offense, the Rebels have found their way into many Top 10 polls.

Thursday, March 18

Unlike the Baylor trip, we did not leave until 12:30 p.m. For me in particular, my day started with class followed by the five-hour trip to Oxford. When we arrived at the Hampton Inn, we were greeted by three stuffed lions in separate cases. Apparently, they were going for an “African” motif in the lobby. I suppose one wasn’t enough, but maybe there was a “buy two, get one free” deal at the Zimbabwe Stuffed Lion Co. - oh well...

After an hour of getting settled in, we had our typical practice at Swayze Field. It was quick, simple and efficient.

Friday, March 19

Coming off last week’s embarrassment at Baylor, I needed to rebound.

Before the game, Coach Johnson stressed the importance of getting a quick first inning. Unfortunately, things didn’t go as planned. Although I allowed only one run, it negated the run we scored in the top of the inning. For the first four innings, I lacked command and couldn’t seem to keep Ole Miss off the bases. After four innings, we were down 3-1.

Thanks to a Worth Scott home run in the top of the 5^th, the offense recaptured the lead. It was time to step it up a notch. After talking with Coach Johnson, we concluded I was throwing rather tentatively. Something was missing in my demeanor. Instead of simply attacking Ole Miss with confidence, I was trying to make the perfect pitch - trying to do too much. So, my final three innings experienced a change. I threw pitches with conviction and kept our 4-3 lead into the eighth inning. Ryan Rote came in to close the final two innings. After Ole Miss tied the game in the 8th, we headed into the bottom of the 9th tied 4-4. With no margin for error, Rote left a pitch over the plate, and Barry Gunther ended the game with a home run.

Saturday, March 20

Today was a great example of playing an outstanding first half and a dismal second half.

Thanks to another outstanding pitching performance by Jensen Lewis and constant baserunners, we went into the seventh inning with a 5-0 lead. With the Rebels chipping away, the score in the bottom of the ninth was 5-3. Similar to Friday night, Ryan Rote struggled and surrendered three runs in one-third of an inning - another walk-off loss (6-5).

Although the game was in our hands for almost the entire game, it should have been out of reach. We failed to execute several times with runners in scoring position to extend our lead. We let Ole Miss hang in too long. It came back to haunt us - another tough one to swallow.

Sunday, March 21

No surprise - another close game decided in the end. In a pitcher’s duel, Ryan Mullins was edged by Ole Miss pitcher Brae Wright. After scoring in the first, Wright completely shut our offense down the remainder of the game. And after two costly errors in the seventh, Ole Miss went up 3-1 and never looked back completing the sweep. In contrast to last week, the trip back was full of disappointment.

Being swept is a horrible feeling, even worse under the circumstances. A flip of the coin could have given Vanderbilt the sweep, but we failed to get the big hit, whereas Ole Miss did. So what do you do? Simple. We’ve got our target set on Tuesday’s opponent - Morehead State. We just have to get back up and keep fighting.

Jeremy Sowers

(photo courtesy of Vanderbilt Media Relations Office)