Five-Run First Inning Lifts Ole Miss to 5-2 Win Over Arkansas in SEC Tournament Quarterfinal

OXFORD, Miss. — Powered by a dominant opening frame for the offense and clutch pitching from the entire staff, Ole Miss baseball downed the Arkansas Razorbacks 5-2 to clinch a spot in the SEC Tournament semifinals.

FINAL: Ole Miss 5 – Arkansas 2

The Rebels score 5 runs in the first inning and go scoreless after that, but that’s all they needed to take down the 2-seeded Razorbacks. Ole Miss will play again tomorrow in the semis as they are set to take on the winner of LSU/Texas A&M… pic.twitter.com/eXt9IRPkyr

— The Rebel Walk (@TheRebelWalk) May 23, 2025

Following the win, head coach Mike Bianco said he was proud of how far his team and the program has come after missing the NCAA Tournament back-to-back seasons.

“It’s been a tough road the past couple of years for a lot of reasons. You can look back and dissect it and lord knows we have — Just proud; proud of the coaching staff that’s hung in there — I think we are here for a lot of a lot of reasons but none more than our three starters — all Mississippi guys, all were on that 2022 team that won a National Championship and all could have left last summer to professional baseball. Instead they all chose to stay. Old (teams) win in college baseball and old wins in the Southeastern Conference — then you got three transfers in the outfield but all old guys, old guys from Power 5 schools that have had success. It’s really gratifying as a head coach because the culture has never left.”

~ Bianco on being proud of the 2025 Ole Miss baseball team

Game Recap

With a chance to host a regional in next weekend, the Rebels started fast and early on the offensive end. In the top of the first, Arkansas starter Zach Root issued a leadoff walk to Mitchell Sanford and Luke Hill reached on an error shortly after to put runners on second and third in the blink of an eye. Judd Utermark singled into right field on the next pitch, giving Ole Miss a quick 1-0 lead.

Rebs strike first!@JuddUtermark x #HottyToddy pic.twitter.com/H5DKqFOzQJ

— Ole Miss Baseball (@OleMissBSB) May 23, 2025

Still in the top of the first, Ryan Moerman blooped a single into right to plate another run for Ole Miss. That was the only plate appearance of the game for the Rebel right fielder due to a collision in the outfield with Isaac Humphrey in the bottom of the second. Moerman exited the game with an apparent leg injury and was replaced by Hayden Federico.

Following a fielder’s choice play that represented the second out of the opening frame, catcher Austin Fawley launched his team-leading 17th home run of the season; a three-run shot that gave the Rebels a 5-0 lead at the end of the first. The Arkansas pitching staff held the Ole Miss lineup scoreless through the next eight innings of play.

Fawley Bomb: Hoover Edition@fawley_austin x #HottyToddy pic.twitter.com/hJ67AQMLig

— Ole Miss Baseball (@OleMissBSB) May 23, 2025

During the post-game press conference, Fawley explained his approach at the plate leading up to his three-run shot.

“Obviously I was sitting fast ball but he (the umpire) called the first pitch a strike. I thought it was a little up but a strike is a strike. Then he (Root) hung the changeup and I made him pay.”

~ Fawley on his 17th home run

Senior Riley Maddox started the quarterfinal matchup for the Rebels and pitched 5.2 innings, walked two, gave up two runs, three hits, and punched out seven. The right-hander coughed up those runs in each of the first two innings but followed that with three-straight shutout frames while being credited with the win (6-5).

9️⃣ in a row put down by Riley!@riley_maddox1 x #HottyToddy pic.twitter.com/hP5OfwaT5q

— Ole Miss Baseball (@OleMissBSB) May 23, 2025

Following the victory, Bianco acknowledged his team’s offensive surge but thought the story of the day was the performance from Maddox.

“He was really really good. It’s a difficult lineup to navigate and he did a great job. Once again I thought our bullpen was outstanding, much like Wednesday night. Just terrific with McCausland, Morris and Spencer at the end. I’m excited that we get to stay another day in Hoover.”

~ Bianco on Riley Maddox and the bullpen in the win over Arkansas

Kuhio Aloy grounded out in the bottom of the first for an RBI, scoring his brother Wehiwa Aloy to make it a 5-1 game. The brothers are two of the best hitters in the SEC, but the Ole Miss staff held them hitless in the win. The second run for the Razorbacks crossed during the collision between Moerman and Humphrey; an inside the park home run for Cam Kozeal.

After collecting the first two outs in the bottom of the sixth, Maddox walked the second batter of his outing and was replaced by Will McCausland. The righty gave up a single and issued a walk to load the bases for Arkansas, but stranded the runners with a punch out to end a scoreless frame.

In the bottom of the seventh, McCausland returned to the mound but only recorded one out and put a pair of runners on for the Razorbacks before being replaced by Mason Morris. He sat down the next five Arkansas batters before handing it over to closer Connor Spencer in the bottom of the ninth. Spencer worked a 1-2-3 frame to secure the win for the Rebels and picked up his sixth save of the season.

Utermark led the Rebels at the plate with a 3-for-5 day, a double and a run batted in. The second baseman is hitting 12-for-22 (.545) since the beginning of the Auburn series with 11 RBIs, two home runs and two doubles. Following the win, Utermark credited two of his coaches for his big leap in production during the 2025 season.

“I think I have been fining holes and gaps; that’s always a good feeling to have. All the credited goes to coach Clem (Mike Clement) and coach Tyler Keenan. They have helped me so much throughout this entire year, and throughout the years prior but especially this year. Just working on my craft, working on my swing; I have been blessed to have some of them (base hits) fall.”

~ Utermark on his hot-streak at the plate

Up next

The Rebels will play again in the semifinals of the SEC Tournament on Saturday, May 24. They will take on the winner of LSU vs. Texas A&M approximately 30 minutes following the conclusion of the first semifinal matchup featuring Tennessee and Vanderbilt.