Ole Miss defeats Oklahoma to win 2022 Men's College World Series
The Ole Miss Rebels completed a Cinderella run to the NCAA Men's College World Series, defeating Oklahoma 4-2 in Game 2 Sunday.
Entering the tournament as a serious underdog, the Rebels knocked off Auburn, Arkansas, and Oklahoma en route to the program's first-ever national title.
The game was scoreless in the top half of the sixth inning when the Sooners appeared to take their first lead of the MCWS. Oklahoma's John Spikerman laid down a bunt with runners on the corners, scoring Jackson Nicklaus from third. However, Spikerman was ruled out for running inside the baseline, taking the game's first would-be run off the board.
In the bottom half of the sixth, Ole Miss made Oklahoma pay for their mistake earlier in the inning. Jacob Gonzalez gave Ole Miss the lead, taking Cade Horton yard for a solo shot to right-center field.
Oklahoma would respond in the seventh, taking their first lead, 2-1. Nicklaus kicked off the scoring with an RBI-double before Ole Miss reliever Mason Nichols walked in the go-ahead run later in the inning.
Still trailing 2-1, Ole Miss rallied for three runs in the eighth inning to shock the Sooners.
Three straight singles with one out from T.J. McCants, Justin Bench, and Gonzalez tied the game 2-2. Two wild pitches from Michael scored Bench and Gonzalez later in the inning, giving Ole Miss a 4-2 advantage.
John Gaddis entered in the ninth, striking out the side to clinch Ole Miss' first-ever Men's College World Series title.
Ole Miss' Hunter Elliott pitched 6.2 innings, allowing two earned runs off three hits while striking out six to get the no-decision.
Horton, Oklahoma's starting pitcher, broke the MCWS finals record for strikeouts with 13 against the Rebels. He pitched 7.1 innings, allowing four hits and one earned run, throwing 107 pitches.
More must-reads: