It was quite the showdown on Saturday, No. 25 Ole Miss decisively claimed victory over No. 24 LSU Tigers with a score of 12-2 in just seven innings. This win not only boosts Ole Miss’s record to 25-11 (7-7 SEC) but also highlights their offensive prowess and strategic pitching to beat the Bayoun Bengals once again.
Early Game Tension
The game started with LSU showing promise as they got on the board first. With two outs in the opening frame, Derek Curiel drew a walk followed by a base hit from Cade Arrambide. Steven Milam then doubled, bringing Curiel home for an early lead.
Despite this initial setback, Ole Miss starter Cade Townsend quickly regained his composure after allowing one run each in the first and second innings. “I think they came out swinging and punched me in the mouth to start the game,” Townsend admitted post-game.
Turning Point: The Fourth Inning
The pivotal moment came during the fourth inning when Ole Miss sent nine batters to the plate and scored four runs to take control of the game. Mason Braum led off with a single up the middle, marking his second hit of the day.
After walks issued to Judd Utermark and Will Furniss, Utermark advanced to third on a wild pitch before scoring on a sacrifice fly by Hayden Federico. This narrowed LSU’s lead to just one run at 2-1.
Things escalated quickly as Brayden Randle delivered a crucial base hit that tied up the game at 2-2. Austin Fawley then launched a two-run homer over left field, propelling Ole Miss ahead with a score of 4-2.
Coach Mike Bianco praised Townsend’s ability to bounce back after early struggles: “Cade hit another gear and really wanted this game and really did a good job after the second.”
Pitching Matchup Highlights
LSU’s starting pitcher William Schmidt began strong but struggled as the game progressed. His fastball was clocked at an impressive 98-99 mph, complemented by breaking balls between 85-88 mph—showcasing why he is regarded highly within collegiate baseball circles.
“You really see how good Schmidt is, and he is as advertised,” Bianco said.
However, after allowing four runs through 3.2 innings—with three hits and four walks—Schmidt was replaced by Copper Williams who continued facing challenges against Ole Miss’s lineup.
Townsend’s performance was commendable; he worked six complete innings allowing only two runs on six hits while striking out eight batters—an effort that earned him well-deserved recognition as he picked up his fifth win of the season.
Explosive Sixth Inning for Rebels
The Rebels didn’t let up as they added seven more runs in an explosive sixth inning, demonstrating their offensive depth and resilience against LSU’s pitching staff.
With contributions from Paino, Dom Decker, Utermark, and Furniss—all delivering key hits—the Rebels extended their lead significantly. Paino stood out particularly well finishing with a stat line of 2-for-3 including two doubles along with three RBIs.
As Hudson Calhoun took over for Ole Miss in the seventh inning, he maintained control over LSU’s offense without allowing any runs or hits—a fitting end to what had been an outstanding day for Rebel pitching overall.
Looking Ahead: Sweep Opportunity
With this commanding victory under their belts, Ole Miss will look to sweep their series against LSU when they meet again on Sunday at 1:30 p.m., available for streaming on SEC Network+.
