News Summary
The Ole Miss baseball team faced the Little Rock Trojans in a scrimmage at Swayze Field, showcasing their new lineup. The Rebels secured a win in the first game but faced challenges in the second, revealing areas for improvement as they prepare for the season ahead. Notable performances included strong offensive contributions and promising pitching skills. Fans are excited about the commitment of 2027 prospect Joseph Flores Jr., as Ole Miss gears up for a robust schedule including nine home games to start the season.
Oxford, Mississippi – The Ole Miss baseball team hosted the Little Rock Trojans for a scrimmage on Saturday, October 4, 2025, at Swayze Field. This event marked the first opportunity for head coach Mike Bianco’s newly formed squad to face outside opponents, giving fans a glimpse of the season to come. The Rebels emerged victorious overall with a score of 13-9 after competing in two six-inning games.
In the first game, Ole Miss showcased their offensive power, securing a decisive win with a score of 12-2. The Rebels had a strong start, creating anticipation for the second game. However, in the follow-up game, they faced adversity and lost 7-1, which displayed some areas for improvement as they prepare for the upcoming season.
Notable offensive performances highlighted the potential of the Ole Miss lineup. Judd Utermark, Will Furniss, and Collin Ruter made significant contributions, but it was Utermark who struck the first of three home runs for Ole Miss, hitting a ball that went “out of sight.” Shortly after, teammate Tate Sirmans followed suit with a solo homer, adding to the offensive momentum. Also making an impact was Daniel Pacella, a highly-touted transfer who connected for a home run that reached the student section, further energizing fans.
On the pitching front, the Ole Miss staff allowed a total of nine runs across the two games but demonstrated promising skill and potential. Cade Townsend and Owen Kelly were the first two pitchers of the day, with Kelly impressively completing two clean innings in his Rebel debut. While some errors surfaced during play, the team’s defense generally held firm, contributing positively to their overall performance.
The scrimmage revealed that while the team’s offense had explosive innings, there are still areas to refine, particularly as they aim to improve their strategy moving forward. Ole Miss, which qualified for the regional round the previous year, remains a strong contender to host that round again this upcoming season.
In addition to the action on the field, Ole Miss recently secured a verbal commitment from Joseph Flores Jr., a promising 2027 two-way prospect. Flores is a switch-hitting middle infielder and right-handed pitcher from Corona High School in Riverside, California. His fastball velocity sits between 87-89 mph, with a maximum throw reaching 90 mph, while also boasting an impressive maximum exit velocity of 98.5 mph and hitting beyond 377 feet. He is the fifth player from his class to verbally commit to Ole Miss, joining Quincy Pratt, Cooper Giger, Braydin Jones, and Rylan Sutton.
Looking ahead, Ole Miss will host Tulane on October 18, 2025, as part of their continued preparations for the upcoming season. The 2026 schedule is poised to include an impressive nine straight home games at Swayze Field to kick off the season, creating further excitement among fans eager for baseball action.
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Author: STAFF HERE OXFORD WRITER
The OXFORD STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREOxford.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Oxford, Lafayette County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Oxford Film Festival, Double Decker Arts Festival, and University of Mississippi football games. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Oxford-Lafayette County Chamber of Commerce and the University of Mississippi, plus leading businesses in education and retail that power the local economy such as Ole Miss Athletics and Square Books. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Mississippi's dynamic landscape.
