Mike Bianco has said more than once this year that the Southeastern Conference is a humbling league. The events that lead to and followed Walker Pennigton’s pinch-hit, three-run home run in the 8th inning that doomed Ole Miss in a 12-8 loss in the SEC Tournament semifinals, gave them a taste of that.
“Just an incredible college baseball game,” Bianco said. “If you thought these games didn’t matter, then you were certainly wrong. I thought both teams played their hearts out today.”
The roller coaster that was the top half of the eighth inning was the final twist of a four-hour long marathon that featured two teams with a heavily taxed pitching staff, and for Ole Miss, a great deal at stake.