How Hunter Elliott's 'guts' kept crazy Ole Miss NCAA Tournament stat going vs Auburn

AUBURN, AL — Ole Miss baseball got a somewhat standard performance from starting pitcher Hunter Elliott in the super regional.

When it happens in the NCAA Tournament, that's good for the Rebels.

The Rebels beat Auburn 6-4 on June 5 in Game 1 of a super regional at Plainsman Park. Ole Miss improved to 6-0 all-time in the NCAA Tournament when Elliott is the starting pitcher.

"He's got as much guts as anybody that's ever put on this uniform," coach Mike Bianco said of Elliott.

Elliott pitched 4⅓ innings against Auburn and allowed two earned runs. He limited what could have been a lot more damage.

Elliott walked more batters (four) than he struck out (two). His key was getting double plays. Auburn had the bases loaded in the second and thing innings but hit into double plays both times.

That why Bianco gushed about Elliott postgame. Elliott didn't have his best stuff, but he pushed through.

"On the mound, for our reporters and our fans that have seen Hunter Elliot for so many years, he can have games like that where it looks like it's not going to be his night," Bianco said. "But he just makes pitches and gets off the field."