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Ole Miss’ Tim Elko launches 3-run home run just 33 days after tearing ACL
By Keith Farner
Published:
Ole Miss senior Tim Elko may have just delivered a Kirk Gibson-style story for SEC baseball this spring.
Elko, who led the SEC with 36 RBIs and led the Rebels in doubles, home runs and total bases when he suffered a torn ACL about a month ago, only recently returned to the field.
On Saturday, he delivered the next chapter of a story made for the silver screen. The major details go like this: On April 5, he tore his ACL. Today, he delivered the first hit since then, a three-run home run to right field. It came in the seventh inning of what was a 9-2 lead over Texas A&M, as he sent the home run opposite field over the right field wall. The Rebels held on for a 12-7 victory.
An emotional Elko shared his immediate thoughts and reflected on the injury.
“I was obviously pretty upset,” he said, per The Rebel Walk. “Tough news to get. I can’t thank God for all the healing he’s done on me and all my teammates. It’s awesome. … When I hit it, I knew it had a chance. Got a good swing on it. It was awesome to have the embrace from all my teammates and staff when I got back to the dugout. Really special moment for me.”
Teammate Doug Nikhazy added, “What a moment. It’s magical. It’s cool to be a part of something like that. Nobody else deserves it more than Tim. A lot of guys wouldn’t do what Tim is doing.”
I don’t believe what I just saw!@TimElko, ladies and gentlemen:
• April 5: Tore his ACL
• May 8: First hit since then, a three-run home run to right field!💻 https://t.co/ILMTEaW7E7 pic.twitter.com/lGCbLV7q6d
— Ole Miss Baseball (@OleMissBSB) May 8, 2021
A former newspaper veteran, Keith Farner is a news manager for Saturday Down South.
