Utermark’s Two Home Runs Power Ole Miss Baseball Past Memphis, 7-1, in First of Two Midweek Matchups
OXFORD, Miss. — The Ole Miss Rebels returned to the diamond on Tuesday evening defeating the Memphis Tigers, 7-1, and bouncing back after a challenging 1-2 weekend in the Bruce Bolt College Classic in Houston. Ole Miss now stands at 11-2 on the season.
Rebels are back in the win column! They are 11-2 this season after defeating Memphis at home tonight. pic.twitter.com/8oL8ShWWp3
— The Rebel Walk (@TheRebelWalk) March 4, 2026
The Recap
Ole Miss found itself in a tricky situation in the first as back-to-back singles off starter Owen Kelly led to a first and third scenario. This ended up in a delayed double steal allowing Javon Hernandez to open the scoring with Memphis ahead 1-0.
However, the Tigers’ lead did not last long as just two batters into the Rebels’ at-bats, Judd Utermark sent a two-run home run 413 feet into left field — nearly clearing the entire stadium.
In the second, Ole Miss kept it going as the Rebs tacked on two more runs without recording a hit with Brayden Randle and Hayden Federico drawing a walk and hit by pitch, respectively, before a pair of walks brought them around to score.
That’s 5⃣ K’s thru 3 for @okelly_05 pic.twitter.com/aWRcNyDxe1
— Ole Miss Baseball (@OleMissBSB) March 4, 2026
The bottom of the third was again all Ole Miss as they extended their lead to 5-1 with a solo home run from Topher Jones, his first as a Rebel.
🌧️ in right…
We see you @TopherJones6 pic.twitter.com/x8BoxogD41
— Ole Miss Baseball (@OleMissBSB) March 4, 2026
Memphis continued to struggle at the plate against Kelly as he completed his night with 4 innings pitched, 3 hits, 1 earned run, and 5 strikeouts, before handing the ball over to freshman Grayson Gibson to start the fifth.
Gibson also kept the Tigers scoreless as he completed 4 innings pitched, himself, racking up 5 strikeouts without allowing a hit.
“Grayson was really good. How could you not be pleased with what he did? Faced the minimum in four innings. I think it was only the third time we had put up four zeros in a row this season.”
Head coach Mike Bianco on Gibson
“It’s really tough to play as a freshman in our league, and he doesn’t act like a freshman,” Bianco explained. “He did that all fall with how he carries himself, and it’s a hard enough and it’s a four-pitch mix. He pitches, and he’s not scared. That’s what you don’t know, and he has handled it,” he added.
Gibson talked with media after the win.
“I was very comfortable out there. My fastball command was really good and I trusted my defense. I was glad I picked off the runner I hit so I could face the minimum for four innings. I’ve always had a good pickoff move, but coach Joel Mangrum has made it better.”
Ole Miss freshman pitcher Grayson Gibson
After a pair of scoreless innings, the Rebels were once again propelled by Utermark in the sixth, as he sent his second two-run home run of the day off the center fields batter’s eye.
🚨Hit the batter’s 👁️
Tip of the cap @JuddUtermark pic.twitter.com/s8wciWLKPO
— Ole Miss Baseball (@OleMissBSB) March 4, 2026
Utermark’s home runs moved him into an eighth-place tie for career home runs in school history with Stephen Head and Burney Hutchinson who each have 37 career home runs.
Chasing some greats💪 pic.twitter.com/qbx02dnYq5
— Ole Miss Baseball (@OleMissBSB) March 4, 2026
“There are a lot of really good baseball players to come through Ole Miss, and it’s an honor to be on that list,” Utermark said after the game. “We’re trying to win a national championship. That’s what really matters.”
The Ole Miss bats were quiet for the remainder of the night as they entered the ninth with a 7-1 lead.
Landon Waters took over on the mound to close out the game.
After a leadoff walk, Waters bounced back with a pair of strikeouts and a ground ball to second, closing out a 7-1 win over the Tigers.
A Look Ahead
Ole Miss returns to the diamond for the second midweek battle of the week as the Rebels are set to face off against North Alabama at 6:30 P.M CT.
Billy Kuhl
Billy Kuhl joins The Rebel Walk as a sophomore at Ole Miss majoring in Journalism with a Sports Media concentration. He is from Jefferson Township, New Jersey and graduated from Jefferson Township High School where he played varsity baseball, and soccer, and swam competitively in his summers. You can contact him at wpkuhl88@gmail.com or DM him on X @Billykuhll or instagram @Billykuhll_
