Rebel Rewind: En fuego Furniss backed Ole Miss in had-to-have-it win over No. 18 Alabama
A career night from second-year slugger Will Furniss helped Ole Miss baseball dig deep for a had-to-have-it, series-tying win over No. 18 Alabama on Friday.
Furniss was 4 for 5 in helping the Rebels (23-19, 7-13) rally for a 9-8 win and snap a seven-game winning streak for the Crimson Tide (27-16, 8-12). The series rubber match is Saturday at 2 p.m. CT.
“We really needed this one,” Furniss said afterwards. “We fought and battled. Just needed to keep swinging.”
Furniss and senior Ethan Lege each homered.
Lege is up to 13, the second-most on the team behind only Duke transfer third baseman Andrew Fischer. Furniss now has seven to pull into a tie with FAU transfer Jackson Ross for third.
Furniss and Arizona State transfer infielder Luke Hill combined for seven of Ole Miss’ 10 hits. Hill was 3 for 4 with an RBI. Furniss added two doubles and a single. Furniss has the third-highest slugging percentage (.602) of all Rebels.
“I’ve never had one like that before,” Furniss said. “It wouldn’t mean as much if we lost. I wouldn’t be as excited. 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 doesn’t really matter.”
Morris was one of five pitchers used by Ole Miss. Starter Liam Doyle went 4.1 innings and gave up two earned runs with five strikeouts. Gunnar Dennis — the Rebels’ former third starter, who’s since settled in as a key bullpen piece — went 2.1 innings for his fourth win.
Veteran right-hander Mason Nichols will start for Ole Miss in the finale. The included highlights were provided by Ole Miss Athletics.
