Rebs go back to drawing board

By By Will Bardwell / staff writer
June 7, 2004
OXFORD Ole Miss lived on its pitching throughout the 2004 season.
On Saturday, the Rebels finally died by it.
Facing elimination against Washington in the NCAA regional and needing a solid outing from ace pitcher Mark Holliman, Ole Miss collapsed. The Huskies shelled Holliman, jumping out to a 5-0 lead in the first inning. Holliman, who last lost a decision on April 30, never made it out of the inning.
Ole Miss' offense never caught up with the Huskies, just as it couldn't during the rest of the six-game losing streak that ended the season.
In four of its final six losses, Ole Miss (39-21) gave up at least seven runs. In the other two defeats a 4-3 loss to Arkansas and a 1-0 loss to Western Kentucky the Rebels produced a combined 11 hits.
Head coach Mike Bianco didn't offer any solutions after the Washington loss.
Although the Rebels didn't come close to winning their first-ever home regional, it was nevertheless a monumental season for Ole Miss.
The team's 18 wins in Southeastern Conference games marked a school record, and the Rebels finished just a game behind Arkansas for the SEC West division title. Ole Miss also matched its highest-ever national ranking when the Rebels climbed to No. 6 earlier this season.
Still, Bianco acknowledged that it's impossible to overlook finishing with a six-game losing streak for the second time in three years.