In a showdown on the diamond, Ole Miss (19-7, 3-3 SEC) faced off against Memphis (7-16, 1-2 American) in a game that showcased both pitching prowess and moments of frustration for the Rebels.
Pitching Duel: The Early Innings
Owen Kelly took the mound for Ole Miss and demonstrated impressive control, keeping the Memphis hitters at bay for the first three innings. Despite Memphis managing to get their lead-off runner on base twice in the first two innings, Kelly silenced their bats in the third by retiring all three batters he faced.
Memphis countered with Logan Rushing, who proved to be a formidable opponent. Rushing retired six consecutive Rebels without allowing a hit or walk over his two complete innings while striking out two.
First Runs on the Board
The scoring began in the top of the third when Owen Piano stepped up and delivered a sacrifice fly to center field, bringing Dom Decker home and putting Ole Miss on the scoreboard.
However, as Memphis entered the third inning with Nolan McCracken on the mound, they allowed just one run from a hit. Jacob Daniels took over in the fourth but struggled with control, issuing two walks while recording one strikeout.
Coach Mike Bianco expressed his disappointment after the game: “Disappointed and disappointed in the effort,” Coach Mike Bianco said. “Obviously, it’s my own. I am the head coach. We came all the way up here and played like this. We have to put this behind us; it tastes bad. We didn’t do anything to win the baseball game on either side of the ball, and so we have to put it behind us and get ready to play baseball.”
Memphis Takes Control
The Tigers found their rhythm in the bottom of the fourth when Tyler Harrington hit a sharp grounder through left field, scoring two runs and putting Memphis ahead.
Kelly’s performance wrapped up after 3.1 innings where he allowed two runs on five hits but walked none while striking out three. Bianco then called upon Terry Hayes Jr., who pitched 1.2 innings but gave up another two runs on just two hits alongside one strikeout.
In an explosive fifth inning, Hitson launched a two-run homer that extended Memphis’s lead to 4-1.
Late Game Efforts
Issac Lucas came in for Memphis during the fifth inning and pitched flawlessly for two innings without allowing any runs or hits while fanning two batters.
For Ole Miss, Noah Allen took over pitching duties in the sixth inning and also recorded an impressive frame without giving up any runs or hits against three batters faced.
As we reached seventh-inning action, Aiden Steth was brought in by Memphis. Meanwhile, Ole Miss managed to load up the bases before Daniel Pacella grounded out but still managed to score Collin Reuter—narrowing Memphis’s lead to 4-2.
Owen Hancock then took over pitching responsibilities for Ole Miss but struggled slightly by allowing another two runs from one hit along with two walks.
JP Robertson entered in relief during eighth inning action for Ole Miss and held strong by not allowing any runs while striking out one batter.
Despite efforts from Ole Miss to mount a comeback, Michael Gupton added another solo home run for Memphis before they brought in additional runners through walks and hits—ultimately leading to another run crossing home plate making it 6-2.
In a final push during ninth inning play, Decker drew a walk but was followed by Pacella’s strikeout as time ran out on their chances for victory.
As they look ahead this weekend, Ole Miss will return to conference action against their fierce in-state rivals—the No. 6 Mississippi State Bulldogs—at Swayze Field for an exciting three-game series running Friday through Sunday. The opening pitch is scheduled for Friday at 6:30 p.m., available for streaming on SEC Network+.
