OXFORD — For a team that struggled offensively at the Southeastern Conference Tournament, Ole Miss leadoff man Jordan Henry made sure that would not happen in the opener of the NCAA Tournament’s Oxford Regional.

The former Vicksburg High Gator reached base all five times against Monmouth University Friday night, leading the Rebels to a 8-1 win. Henry finished 3-for-3 with two walks, two runs scored and an RBI.

“I’m up there, trying to find a way to get on and work the pitcher,” Henry said. “I was able to find a few holes on some hits and then the guys behind got some big hits, especially Smitty (Matt Smith) there with two out.”

Ole Miss coach Mike Bianco said Henry filled his role.

“We got off to a great start with the three runs early and Jordan was a big part, causing havoc at the top,” Bianco said.

Monmouth pitcher Brett Brach, who took the loss, said Henry was a pest all night.

“He’s a tough out. He gets a piece of everything. He’s one of the toughest players I’ve faced,” Brach said. The loss drops the Monmouth ace to 7-3.

Ole Miss (41-17) advances to face Western Kentucky (40-18) today at 5 p.m. in a winner’s bracket game in the four-team regional. Monmouth (32-24) faces Missouri (34-26) in an elimination game today at 1.

Ole Miss jumped on Monmouth for three runs in the first. Henry led off with a double that dropped near the left-field line. Henry then scored on Logan Power’s double to left. Power came in on Kyle Henson’s

fly out to left. Matt Smith, who had reached on a fielder’s choice, capped the opening rally by scoring on Zach Miler’s triple into the right field corner.

Henry got his second hit of the game on a hopper through the middle that scored Evan Button. Button had reached on a one-out double to make it 4-0.

It stayed that way until the seventh. Brach settled down, mixing in a change-up to keep the Rebels from extending the lead for four straight innings.

That was until Henry batted for the fourth time. He led off with a hit up the middle, his third of the game. He then went to second on a balk. He scored on Smith’s two-out single to center to make it 5-0.

In the Ole Miss eighth, pinch-hitter Tim Ferguson came through with a two-run single to up the lead to 7-0. Henry then walked to conclude his batting night. Ferguson later scored on Power’s ground out for an 8-0 lead.

As good as Brach pitched during a four-inning stretch, Drew Pomeranz was good for eight scoreless innings for the Rebels. Three times the Hawks got two runners on, but each time, Pomeranz would get the ground ball and his shortstop Kevin Mort made the play with standout diving stops and throws.

“There were some tough plays, but he made them,” Pomeranz said. Pomeranz scattered five hits over eight innings. He struck out 10 and walked two to improve to 7-4.

“Drew took control of the game once we got the lead. He was as sharp tonight as he’s been all year. And he got some fabulous defense from Kevin Mort at shortstop,” Bianco said.

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Contact Jeff Byrd at jbyrd@vicksburgpost.com