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The University of Mississippi Athletics
No. 18 Ole Miss To Host Murray State Wednesday
2/24/2004 | Baseball
Feb. 24, 2004
OXFORD - No. 18 Ole Miss will conclude a season-opening four-game home stand Wednesday afternoon when the Rebels (3-0) host the Murray State Thoroughbreds (0-3). First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m., at Oxford-University Stadium/Swayze Field.
Wednesday's game will be Blues Day at the ballpark, as Ole Miss will host the second annual Living Blues symposium this weekend on campus.
Ole Miss opened its 2004 campaign with a three-game sweep of Birmingham-Southern this past weekend. The Rebels remained at No. 18 in this week's Baseball America Top 25 and at No. 20 in the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association poll. Ole Miss did move up one spot to No. 21 in the Sports Weekly/ESPN Coaches Top 25, while remaining at No. 26 in the Collegiate Baseball Top 30.
Freshman outfielder Alex Presley went 6-for-12 at the plate and scored a team-high five runs in last weekend's sweep of the Panthers. Senior shortstop Matt Tolbert was 6-of-13 with six RBIs and junior outfielder Seth Smith went 5-for-12. Sophomore first baseman Stephen Head hit two grand slams over the weekend to pace the Rebels with eight RBIs.
Sophomore right-hander Mark Holliman (0-0, 54.00 ERA) is scheduled to start on the mound Wednesday afternoon for Ole Miss. He was the starter in last Saturday's 12-5 win over Birmingham-Southern, allowing four runs on three hits and two walks in 2/3 of an inning.
Murray State was swept last weekend at UAB. The Thoroughbreds hit .256 in the series, led by sophomore second baseman Derrick Newton and freshman third baseman James Akin, whom are both batting .333. Newton was also one of five Murray State players to homer in the series versus the Blazers. Junior right fielder Clint Griggs leads the 'Breds with four RBIs.
Murray State is scheduled to start sophomore left-hander West Harris on the mound. Harris, a transfer from Kentucky, made one relief appearance last weekend versus UAB. He allowed five runs, one earned, on four hits and one walk, while striking out two in 2.2 innings.
Following Wednesday's contest, the Rebels will travel to Mobile, Ala., for a three-game series with South Alabama, starting Friday night at 6 p.m.
PROBABLE PITCHING MATCH-UP
MUR - West Harris (So., LHP, 0-0, 3.38 ERA)
UM - Mark Holliman (So., RHP, 0-0, 54.00 ERA)
