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OMAHA, NE — Ole Miss baseball needs to bounce back from its first loss of the NCAA Tournament to keep the season alive.
The Rebels (41-22) are matched up with Troy (38-31) in a College World Series elimination game on June 14 (1 p.m., ESPN).
Ole Miss lost 6-2 to No. 5 North Carolina on June 12 to get sent to the loser's bracket at Charles Schwab Stadium. Troy lost a 7-5 to No. 16 West Virginia.
Here's what to know about the matchup.
Troy is the lowest-ranked team to make the CWS, but the Trojans has showed they are a dangerous opponent throughout the NCAA Tournament.
The Sun Belt sent five teams (Troy, Southern Miss, Coastal Carolina, Louisiana and Texas State) to the NCAA Tournament. Only the SEC, ACC and Big 12 had more bids.
The Trojans were a No. 3 seed in the Gainesville Regional and had won six straight games since losing its opening NCAA Tournament game to Miami.
There's no doubt Troy got a favorable draw in super regionals. The Trojans got to host Little Rock, a No. 4 seed that upset Southern Miss in the Hattiesburg Regional. Troy won its super regional 2-0.
Troy played a back-and-forth game against West Virginia in its CWS opener and was tied going into the eighth inning.
Troy hitters have been on fire in the NCAA Tournament, and it's not been much of a fluke.
The Trojans were No. 5 in the Sun Belt with 205 runs, which was just one behind Southern Miss. Troy is batting .291 as a team with 91 home runs.
It all starts with sophomore catcher Jimmy Janicki, who leads Troy with 20 home runs and a .343 batting average. He was named the Sun Belt Player of the Year.
Troy has averaged 9.9 runs in its eight NCAA Tournament games. The Trojans have done it under elimination game pressure, too.
When Troy needed offense most in the Gainesville Regional, it got it. The Trojans upset Florida in back-to-back games to win the regional 16-11 and 10-2.
Troy used just two pitchers, Benjamin Stubbs and Zach Crotchfelt, in its loss to WVU.
That leaves enough options for Troy coach Skylar Meade in what could be a high-scoring game.
Hayden Smith has been used as a reliever and starter. He has a team-best 2.94 ERA. Ole Miss should expect to face him in some capacity. Tommy Egan (6-5, 5.38 ERA) has made the second-most starts for Troy behind Stubbs.
Despite using both of their top relievers vs North Carolina, the Rebels' bullpen is in a solid spot. Hudson Calhoun threw just 17 pitches and closer Walker Hooks threw 29. Neither was sharp against UNC.
Ole Miss 8, Troy 5: Look for the Ole Miss offense to get enough run support for Ole Miss' pitching staff.
Sam Hutchens covers Ole Miss for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at [email protected] or reach him on X at @Sam_Hutchens_
This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Ole Miss baseball vs Troy prediction in College World Series
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The Rebels (41-22) are matched up with Troy (38-31) in a College World Series elimination game on June 14 (1 p.m., ESPN).
Ole Miss lost 6-2 to No. 5 North Carolina on June 12 to get sent to the loser's bracket at Charles Schwab Stadium. Troy lost a 7-5 to No. 16 West Virginia.
Here's what to know about the matchup.
Troy has earned respect as College World Series opponent
Troy is the lowest-ranked team to make the CWS, but the Trojans has showed they are a dangerous opponent throughout the NCAA Tournament.
The Sun Belt sent five teams (Troy, Southern Miss, Coastal Carolina, Louisiana and Texas State) to the NCAA Tournament. Only the SEC, ACC and Big 12 had more bids.
The Trojans were a No. 3 seed in the Gainesville Regional and had won six straight games since losing its opening NCAA Tournament game to Miami.
There's no doubt Troy got a favorable draw in super regionals. The Trojans got to host Little Rock, a No. 4 seed that upset Southern Miss in the Hattiesburg Regional. Troy won its super regional 2-0.
Troy played a back-and-forth game against West Virginia in its CWS opener and was tied going into the eighth inning.
Troy offense is threat to knock Ole Miss out of CWS
Troy hitters have been on fire in the NCAA Tournament, and it's not been much of a fluke.
The Trojans were No. 5 in the Sun Belt with 205 runs, which was just one behind Southern Miss. Troy is batting .291 as a team with 91 home runs.
It all starts with sophomore catcher Jimmy Janicki, who leads Troy with 20 home runs and a .343 batting average. He was named the Sun Belt Player of the Year.
Troy has averaged 9.9 runs in its eight NCAA Tournament games. The Trojans have done it under elimination game pressure, too.
When Troy needed offense most in the Gainesville Regional, it got it. The Trojans upset Florida in back-to-back games to win the regional 16-11 and 10-2.
How Troy's pitching looks for Ole Miss game
Troy used just two pitchers, Benjamin Stubbs and Zach Crotchfelt, in its loss to WVU.
That leaves enough options for Troy coach Skylar Meade in what could be a high-scoring game.
Hayden Smith has been used as a reliever and starter. He has a team-best 2.94 ERA. Ole Miss should expect to face him in some capacity. Tommy Egan (6-5, 5.38 ERA) has made the second-most starts for Troy behind Stubbs.
Despite using both of their top relievers vs North Carolina, the Rebels' bullpen is in a solid spot. Hudson Calhoun threw just 17 pitches and closer Walker Hooks threw 29. Neither was sharp against UNC.
Ole Miss vs Troy prediction in College World Series
Ole Miss 8, Troy 5: Look for the Ole Miss offense to get enough run support for Ole Miss' pitching staff.
Sam Hutchens covers Ole Miss for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at [email protected] or reach him on X at @Sam_Hutchens_
This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Ole Miss baseball vs Troy prediction in College World Series
Continue reading...
