News Summary
The No. 15 Ole Miss Rebels lost their NCAA Regional opener against Murray State, falling 9-6 at Swayze Field. Despite a promising season, the Rebels struggled early, trailing before a late-game surge wasn’t enough. With their next game against Western Kentucky looming, Ole Miss needs to regroup quickly to keep their tournament hopes alive.
OXFORD, MS – The No. 15 Ole Miss Rebels fell short in their NCAA Regional opener, losing to Murray State 9-6 on May 30, 2025, at Swayze Field. This defeat marks a tough start for the Rebels in the double-elimination tournament, which they hosted for the first time since 2021.
The match featured Ole Miss (40-20) scheduled against Murray State (39-13) as part of a competitive regional that also includes Georgia Tech and Western Kentucky. If Ole Miss is to continue their campaign, they must regroup quickly, as they face Western Kentucky in an elimination game on May 31 at 1 p.m.
In the initial matchup, first pitch was set for 7 p.m. local time, with right-handed pitcher Riley Maddox (6-5, 5.26 ERA) representing Ole Miss against Murray State’s Nic Schutte (7-3, 4.02 ERA). The game began with Murray State taking control early, scoring four runs in the first two innings. Despite a strong offensive response from Ole Miss, their efforts fell short in the later innings.
A significant moment for Ole Miss came in the bottom of the third inning when Judd Utermark connected for a three-run home run, narrowing the gap to 4-3. However, Schutte maintained composure on the mound, allowing only one more run after Utermark’s impactful hit. Over the course of the game, Schutte delivered 119 pitches, demonstrating durability against Ole Miss’s aggressive batting lineup.
The game took a turn in the top of the eighth inning when Murray State reclaimed the lead with an RBI single from Dom Decker, making the score 7-6. As the match progressed into the ninth, Murray State extended their lead with two crucial insurance runs, bringing the final score to 9-6.
Ole Miss entered the tournament with a formidable season, having tallied 105 home runs, ranking them among the best in the nation. Notably, Utermark’s home run was part of a record-setting season where multiple players achieved double-digit home runs for the first time in the program’s history. The performance of ace pitcher Hunter Elliott this season is also notable, as he holds impressive statistics including a 1.12 WHIP and a .188 opponent batting average. A victory in the next matchup could see him join the elite group of Rebel players with a season tally of 10 wins and 100 strikeouts.
The loss against Murray State is particularly disheartening for Ole Miss, who described the contest as a hard-fought battle. Despite their efforts, the Rebels were unable to secure victory. Historically, the outcome gives Murray State an advantage, now leading the series 2-1 against Ole Miss over the past two seasons. In the overall record, Ole Miss holds a 5-21-1 record against the Racers.
As the Ole Miss Rebels prepare for their next game, they will need to rally together to overcome the initial setback and advance in the tournament. With a strong lineup and talented players, they remain in contention as they brace for the challenge ahead.
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Additional Resources
- Clarion Ledger: Ole Miss vs. Murray State Live Updates
- WJTV: Ole Miss Falls to Murray State
- SI: Georgia Tech vs. Western Kentucky Live Updates
- Wikipedia: Ole Miss Rebels Baseball
- Google Search: NCAA Baseball Tournament
Author: STAFF HERE OXFORD WRITER
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