Mike Bianco provides update on Austin Simmons as Ole Miss levels the series with No. 23
There was good news and not so good news for the Ole Miss baseball team on Friday. The Rebels leveled the series with No. 23 Alabama but also received an initial update on Austin Simmons’ injury.
Simmons exited Thursday’s game after throwing only a handful of pitches and experiencing pain in his left elbow. He had a MRI on Friday morning.
Following the Rebels 9-8 win over the Crimson Tide Ole Miss head coach Mike Bianco gave an early prognosis on where things stand.
“Had a MRI this morning (and) we met earlier this afternoon with Dr. (Kurre) Luber, our team orthopedic, and a lot of different phone calls, obviously, from over here and football and a lot of concern about Austin.
“The MRI did show an injury to the UCL. How severe that is and what that pertains, obviously, we’re going to spend a few days and the MRI has already been sent to several orthopedics that specialize in this injury. Because of what type of athlete he is some of them have to do with football, as well.”
More should be known mid to late next week after consulting with the doctors.
Simmons was in the dugout during the game and did participate during the ‘Love is Gone’ segment between the fifth inning, using both of his arms.
As for the game itself it was a bounce back win for Ole Miss who once again had to respond after another disappointing loss.
Taking the early 3-0 lead to start, the Rebels (23-19, 7-13 Southeastern Conference) gave up the lead and had to rally back twice.
Alabama (27-16, 8-12) took its first lead of the game in fifth with four runs. The Rebels scored four runs of their own in the bottom of the frame to re-take the lead but was short lived as the Crimson Tide scored two runs in the sixth to tie things, yet again.
Then Ethan Lege and Will Furniss provided the winning runs with a pair of back-to-back solo home runs in the bottom of the sixth.
Furniss went 4-for-5 at the plate with a pair of runs batted in and scored two runs.
“The most excited I am about that is it helped us get a two-run lead,” Furniss said. “I think kind of helped spark the rest of that inning. It’s huge. We needed to score a lot of runs today.
“I’ve ever had one like that before. I think it wouldn’t mean as much if we lost. I wouldn’t be as excited. It’s great I had four hits and two doubles. If (Connor Spencer) doesn’t come in and close the door and Mason Morris doesn’t throw it well and nobody else gets on base and we don’t score anymore runs it’s just a 4-for-5 night it doesn’t really matter. Gets lost in everything.”
Ole Miss and Alabama will the rubber match on Saturday at 2 p.m. CT
