Calarco's Big Day Pushes Ole Miss Over Minnesota in Cambria College Classic

The Rebels scrapped with the winless Golden Gophers on Saturday, but they picked up another win in Minneapolis.

MINNEAPOLIS — It was a Jekyll-and-Hyde type game for freshman righty Grayson Saunier, but his No. 4 Ole Miss Rebels escaped with a 9-7 win over the Minnesota Golden Gophers on Saturday.

Saunier, his third start of the season coming in this Cambria College Classic, struck out a career-high 11 batters while surrendering eight hits and five runs across his five innings of work. The freshman had at least one baserunner in each of those innings, and although he was given a 3-0 lead after the top of the first inning, he left the game with the Rebels trailing 5-4.

A big day at the plate from first baseman Anthony Calarco helped spur Ole Miss to a win on Saturday as he was responsible for five RBIs, including a two-run single in the seventh that regained the lead for the Rebels. In all, Calarco was responsible for most of Ole Miss’ run production on the day, joined by TJ McCants and Kemp Alderman in the RBI category with one apiece and two from Ethan Lege with a home run in the ninth.

Out of the bullpen, the Rebels turned to Mitch Murrell (2.1 IP) to relieve Saunier, and Sam Tookoian received the ball in the eighth to close out the game. Tookoian allowed a two-run shot in the ninth inning to narrow the lead, but he got the final three outs to secure an Ole Miss win. 

With the win, Ole Miss improves to 9-2 on the year and drops Minnesota to 0-10. The Rebels will conclude their time in the Cambria College Classic on Sunday when they face the Nebraska Cornhuskers in Minneapolis. First pitch is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. CT on Big Ten Network+.

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