Ole Miss baseball is clinging to its hopes of hosting a postseason series, and Friday night provided a crucial boost as they seek success against No. 6 Auburn in a pivotal three-game series. The Rebels are striving for a sweep, which could significantly strengthen their chances of securing a favorable position in the NCAA tournament.
A key performance came from ace left-handed pitcher Hunter Elliott, who delivered an impressive outing with seven shutout innings, allowing just four hits while striking out eight and issuing two walks. The Rebels secured a convincing 9-2 victory, managing to score all their runs without hitting a home run, despite ranking seventh nationally with 97 home runs. Earlier this week, they displayed their power with four home runs in an 11-5 win against UT Martin.
Elliott expressed pride in his team’s resilience, emphasizing their commitment to focus on their performance rather than external opinions. “We’ve gone about this motto of our dugout vs. everybody else,” he explained. The Rebels improved their season record to 36-17 (15-13 SEC), while Auburn fell to 37-16 (16-12).
With stormy weather anticipated, the first pitch for Game 2 on Saturday has been rescheduled to 6 p.m. CT and will be broadcast on SEC Network+. A series victory would mark the Rebels’ fifth win in conference play this season and surpass their combined total from the previous two years.
Looking ahead, Ole Miss is poised to face Auburn’s RHP Samuel Dutton, while they will send senior Riley Maddox to the mound. The Rebels are working towards reaching the 100-homer mark for only the second time in program history, needing just three more round-trippers.
Baseball America analyst Jacob Radner highlighted Ole Miss’ strong schedule, noting that despite a recent loss against Mississippi State, they remain on the cusp of a hosting opportunity. “A strong close to the season and a good showing in Hoover could push Ole Miss back into the conversation,” he stated.
The team remains hopeful as it approaches the end of the regular season, seeking to capitalize on their chances for postseason play.