By By Will Bardwell/staff writer
Mmay 8, 2004
OXFORD Ole Miss was just a couple of inches better than Arkansas on Friday night.
Seth Smith hit a solo home run that bounced off an outfielder's glove in the third inning, and Mark Holliman faced the minimum 27 batters in a complete-game shutout as the No. 12 (Baseball America) Rebels edged the No. 8 Razorbacks 1-0.
Ole Miss, now 34-14 overall and 13-9 in the Southeastern Conference, moved to within two games of the Razorbacks for first place in the SEC West division. Holliman (7-2), who threw 98 pitches, won for the first time since a 6-1 victory over Auburn on April 9.
That one run came in the bottom of the third, on a 2-0 outside fastball. Smith went with the pitch and sent it deep to left-center field, and Arkansas center fielder Casey Rowlett leaped at the wall with a chance to make the catch.
But Rowlett closed his glove an instant too soon, and the ball skipped off his glove and just barely over the wall.
Holliman allowed just three hits and never allowed a Razorback base runner past first base. Arkansas catcher Brady Toops was picked off after garnering his team's first hit in the third inning. The only other Razorbacks to reach base, Jake Dugger and Rowlett, were cut down in double plays.
The victory marked the first time since a 4-2 win over Tennessee on April 16 that Ole Miss has won on a Friday night. Just as important, according to Rebels coach Mike Bianco, was Holliman's return as the Rebels' ace.
At second place in the SEC West, Ole Miss is one game ahead of third-place LSU, which lost 10-3 to Kentucky on Friday. The Rebels continue their series against Arkansas today at 4 p.m.