News Summary
In a tough start to the NCAA tournament, Ole Miss baseball lost 9-6 to Murray State in the opening round of the Oxford Regional. Despite a strong comeback effort, the Rebels fell short, culminating in missed opportunities in the final inning as they aimed to tie the game. This loss sets Ole Miss up for a must-win elimination match against Western Kentucky. Coach Mike Bianco and the team stress the need to improve as they prepare for their next challenge.
Oxford, Mississippi – Ole Miss baseball suffered a disappointing loss to Murray State, falling 9-6 in their opening round of the Oxford Regional on May 30, 2025. The defeat marks a challenging start for the Rebels in the NCAA tournament at Swayze Field.
Murray State took control of the game early, notching four runs in the first two innings. They started the scoring with Johnathan Hogart hitting a leadoff home run on the very first pitch of the game. By the end of the first inning, the Racers led 2-0 and increased their advantage to 4-0 by the close of the second inning.
In a spirited response, Ole Miss found its momentum when Judd Utermark hit a three-run home run in the bottom of the third, narrowing the gap to 4-3. The Rebels continued to steal back the momentum, as Campbell Smithwick’s solo homer in the fourth inning tied the game at 4-4. Shortly thereafter, an RBI single from Luke Hill allowed Ole Miss to briefly lead 5-4.
However, Murray State countered by tying the game at 5-5 in the fifth inning and regained the lead with a run in the sixth. Ole Miss managed to equalize again in the seventh inning, with Will Furniss driving in a run to make it 6-6. Yet, it was Murray State who struck again in the eighth. Dom Decker’s RBI single put the Racers up 7-6, and they went on to add two insurance runs in the ninth inning, culminating in the final score of 9-6.
In a tense final inning, Ole Miss had a golden opportunity to tie the game after loading the bases with only one out. Unfortunately for the Rebels, they were unable to capitalize on the chance, leading to their defeat.
With the setback, Ole Miss faces an elimination game against Western Kentucky on Saturday, May 31, 2025, at 1 p.m. CT. The Rebels, who concluded the regular season with a record of 40-20 and were the No. 10 seed in the tournament, are now in a must-win situation to advance in the championship.
Murray State, on the other hand, boasts a strong record of 40-13, entering the regional as the No. 4 seed. Their pitcher, Nic Schutte, also contributed significantly to their victory, throwing 6.1 innings, striking out nine while giving up six runs.
Following the game, Ole Miss head coach Mike Bianco noted the team’s missed opportunities and emphasized the importance of improved performance in their next outing. Players echoed this sentiment, underlining the need to bounce back quickly to keep their tournament hopes alive.
As both teams prepare for their next challenges, the stakes are high for Ole Miss, who will look to regroup and fight for survival in the tournament.
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Additional Resources
- Clarion Ledger: Ole Miss vs. Murray State Live Updates
- Google Search: Ole Miss baseball
- Sports Illustrated: Ole Miss Falls to Murray State
- Wikipedia: Murray State
- Murray State Racers: NCAA Game Victory
- Encyclopedia Britannica: NCAA Baseball
- KFVS12: Murray State Baseball Wins NCAA Regional Game
- Google News: NCAA Baseball 2025
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.
