Ole Miss takes series from EKU as Rebels win game two, 9-4, at Swayze

OXFORD, Miss.— Ole Miss defeated Eastern Kentucky, 9-4, on Saturday at Swayze Field to take the series after winning game one, 8-0, Friday.

The Rebels (5-1) jumped on the scoreboard in the first after Hayden Federico got hit by a pitch, advanced on a ball and came into score on a base hit to left by Ryan Moerman.

.@MoermanRyan ropes one into left field to score @haydenfederico3!#HottyToddy pic.twitter.com/Jpb2adRiya

— Ole Miss Baseball (@OleMissBSB) February 22, 2025

The Rebels starter, Riley Maddox, surrendered a walk and a hit in the first but kept Eastern Kentucky (0-6) off the scoreboard.

In the second, the Rebels added two runs as Austin Fawley got on base by a hit-by-pitch. Mitchell Sanford drove a base knock to right field. Federico smashed a double to left that allowed Fawley and Sanford to score to give Ole Miss a 3-0 lead after two.

Moerman led off the bottom of the third with a solo shot to left field into the bullpen. It was his second home run of the season, and the Rebels led 4-0.

YOU CAN’T SEE HIM@MoermanRyan hits his first home run at Swayze Field!#HottyToddy pic.twitter.com/YvWFA6DU7o

— Ole Miss Baseball (@OleMissBSB) February 22, 2025

Eastern Kentucky’s starter, left-hander Bradley Gagen, worked into the third inning until the home run by Moerman, the first Rebel batter of the frame. Gagen worked two innings and allowed three runs on five hits.

EKU brought right-hander Wyatt Foley out of the bullpen. Foley worked 3.1 innings, allowed two runs on four hits with five strikeouts and a walk.

Luke Hill delivered a two-out home run in the fourth to put Ole Miss up 5-0 over the Colonels.

Seven keeps mashing 💪@Luke_Hill22 x #HottyToddy pic.twitter.com/9mxmhUyvA6

— Ole Miss Baseball (@OleMissBSB) February 22, 2025

Eastern Kentucky got two runners on base in the fifth against Maddox. Maddox tossed five complete innings and allowed no runs on three hits with five strikeouts and two walks.

Strong start from @riley_maddox1 vs. EKU:
5.0 IP
3 Hits
0 Runs
5 Strikeouts#HottyToddy pic.twitter.com/OHAndqsFV4

— Ole Miss Baseball (@OleMissBSB) February 22, 2025

Ole Miss made the call to the bullpen in the sixth inning for the arm of Cade Townsend. Townsend tossed a frame as he surrendered three runs on two hits with three strikeouts, a walk and a hit by pitch.

The Colonels opened the sixth with runners on first and second, then advanced on a passed ball ninety feet. Eastern Kentucky loaded the bases with no outs. Townsend got two outs retired by strikeout before surrendering a bases-clearing triple to right by Kam Taylor. Ole Miss led 5-3 going into the bottom of the inning.

The Rebels answered in the sixth with a home run by Collin Reuter.

REUTER BOMB 💣

First homer in a Rebel uniform for the Olive Branch native! @collinreuter5 x #HottyToddy pic.twitter.com/IpNPoUqiXK

— Ole Miss Baseball (@OleMissBSB) February 22, 2025

Ole Miss then loaded the bases with two outs. Isaac Humphrey got on board and scored the seventh run of the game. Fawley walked and that plated the eighth Ole Miss run.

In the seventh, Ole Miss brought Brayden Jones to the mound to face Eastern Kentucky. Jones pitched a frame.

Eastern Kentucky then brought Hayden Collins (.1 IP), Addison Stockham (1.0 IP) Burkley Bounds (.2 IP), and Ryan Radcliff (.2 IP) to the mound.

Ole Miss pitched Patrick Galle in the eighth. He surrendered a home run, making it 8-4, Rebels, as Eastern Kentucky’s Julius Scearce smashed it to right.

In the ninth, Walker Hooks struck out three straight in order after Eastern Kentucky’s leadoff batter got to first on a throwing error by the Rebels.

Maddox (1-1) earns the win for Ole Miss. Offensively, Rebel standouts include Luke Hill who went 3-4 with a home run and an RBI, and Ryan Moerman who went 2-4 with a home run and 2 RBI.

Next Up

Ole Miss will go for the sweep over Eastern Kentucky in game three of the series on Sunday. The first pitch is set for 12 p.m. and can be seen on SECN+.