After a long and grueling season, a year’s worth of work would finally come down to the final set of games for the Ole Miss Rebels as they made a triumphant return to the College World Series, looking to bring home another trophy for the second time in five years.
It was a tough path to reach the big stage, and the opening-round matchup against the North Carolina Tar Heels would serve as a staunch reminder that there are no easy wins when it comes down to the final eight teams standing in the NCAA Tournament.
The Rebels dropped their opening game to the Tar Heels after they staged a comeback in the final three frames, sending them to the losers’ bracket, but what was the decision from head coach Mike Bianco that changed the course of the game?
The One Decision That Changed the Game
The Rebels went with Taylor Rabe on the mound in the opening game, and he was doing his part for the team, holding the Tar Heels to just one run, despite being one of the most explosive offenses left in the tournament. When he exited the game, it was tied 1-1 at the bottom of the sixth inning, and Bianco would turn the ball over to Hudson Calhoun, who would get a strikeout to send it to the 7th inning…