HOOVER, Ala. — Behind freshman A.J. Reed’s 5 2/3 shutout innings in his first start since April 10 and his career-best 4-for-4 day at the plate, the No. 11 University of Kentucky baseball team defeated the University of Mississippi 2-0 in the opening game of the Southeastern Conference tournament Tuesday morning at Regions Park.
Kentucky (42-15) rode the career game from Reed (5-2), a native of Terre Haute, Ind., for the win. After playing three games in Starkville, over the weekend, Kentucky turned to Reed in his first SEC start. The 6-foot-4, 230-pound left-hander went 5 2/3 innings, scattering five hits and walking one. He struck out three.
“I am very proud of our kids,” Kentucky coach Gary Henderson said. “We came into this week after a disappointing weekend in Starkville, and they could have gone a couple of different ways. They showed up. We had two days of practice that were as good as we have had all year. I am really proud of the kids that we have. They are tough and smart.”
Reed, the No. 4 hitter, launched his fourth home run of the year over the right-field fence in the bottom of the fourth. In a 3-for-22 slump entering the tournament, Reed had a career-best four hits.
“I have been struggling a little bit the past couple of weeks,” Reed said. “Going out there and having some success on the mound built my confidence. It also showed me that my team still trusts me and coach gave me a second chance to come out and perform well.”
With the win, Kentucky secures a bye for today’s second round. The Wildcats will return to action in the second game of the day Thursday, and will face the winner of game six between LSU and Mississippi State.
Kentucky had seven hits, getting knocks from Austin Cousino, Cameron Flynn, and Zac Zellers. Flynn had the second RBI on a single through the right side.
The Wildcats turned to Taylor Rogers in the sixth with the go-ahead run at second base. Rogers got out of the jam and worked 3 1/3 shutout innings (two strikeouts) for his first career save in his second career relief outing.
“It was A.J.’s (Reed) first start of the year against an SEC team,” Henderson said. “Obviously an outstanding performance by him, both on the mound and at the plate. Good players show up late in the season. They show up when it is important, and that is what he did today. This might have been Taylor Rogers’ first relief appearance in three years. I looked at it for a couple of days to see what might be the best choice for us, give us the best opportunity to win. I really wanted him on the mound. I wanted to make a statement to our guys that we were putting our Friday night guy out there to win.”
Matt Snyder went 4-for-4 to lead Ole Miss (34-23), which also had seven hits.
Bobby Wahl (6-3) took the loss, working six innings and allowing two runs on six hits with two walks and six strikeouts.
“It was disappointing,” Ole Miss coach Mike Bianco said. “We got a great effort from Bobby (Wahl) on short rest. He was terrific today even though he didn’t have his best stuff. You never would have known it from watching him. It was our inability to score again. We got the hits, but we’re struggling to score.”
Ole Miss will face Arkansas at 9:30 a.m. today in an elimination game at Regions Park.
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