A non-conference game against Arkansas-Pine Bluff allowed some younger Ole Miss players to see action. It may also have signaled the resurgence of a key veteran.
Relief pitcher Dallas Woolfolk faced the minimum in a scoreless eighth inning, one of five Ole Miss pitchers to get work as the No. 4-ranked Rebels defeated the Golden Lions 10-3 Wednesday before an announced crowd of 7,032 at Swayze Field.
Woolfolk had 12 saves last year, the second-most for a single season in school history. But the junior right-hander hasn’t recaptured the magic this season.
“He looked good, looked confident, not only the velo but his stuff, his command … He looked like his old self. He would be a nice piece to have back in the bullpen,” Ole Miss coach Mike Bianco said.
Ole Miss (35-11) scored three runs in each of the first two innings for a quick 6-0 lead. The Golden Lions (18-20) stabilized things on the mound behind lefty Peyton Burks, their second pitcher, before the Rebels stretched the lead in the sixth and eighth innings.
Freshman Anthony Servideo started at second base in place of Ryan Olenek, who continues to rest a sore shoulder when he possible. Servideo, played well defensively, as he’s done before, but this time added a two-run home run in the second inning.
Nick Fortes had a three-run home run, his ninth of the year, leaving him one behind team leader Thomas Dillard. Dillard, a Greenwood native, went 2 for 2 with a stolen base, his team-best 14th of the season.
Ole Miss starts an SEC series at South Carolina on Friday.
Bianco hopes Wednesday’s game is a shot of confidence for Woolfolk.
“When you lose confidence you’re not as good at anything. That’s been one of the biggest factors for him.”
Woolfolk hit 94 miles an hour consistently and had two strikeouts. He hadn’t pitched since April 15 at Vanderbilt.
