Ole Miss Baseball Answers the Test, Takes 6-4 Road Win over No. 21 Florida to Open Series

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Ole Miss found a way to get it done Thursday night.

In a game that featured momentum swings, missed opportunities, and a familiar face doing damage in the opposing dugout, the Rebels held off No. 21 Florida (23-8, 6-4 SEC) for a 6-4 win to open their SEC road series.

It wasn’t perfect. It didn’t need to be. Ole Miss (21-10, 4-6 SEC) got enough pitching, enough timely hitting, and closed the door when it mattered most.

Former Rebel Ethan Surowiec made his presence felt early and often for the Gators. The transfer finished 3-for-4 at the plate, highlighted by a two-run home run in the fifth that cut into Ole Miss’ lead.

For much of the night, Surowiec looked like the one hitter the Rebels simply couldn’t solve. But in a fitting twist, it was Surowiec who represented the final out, as Ole Miss struck him out in the ninth to seal the win.

On the mound

Taylor Rabe gave Ole Miss exactly what the Diamond Rebs needed to start the weekend. The right-hander worked into the fifth inning, allowing three runs on seven hits while striking out six. He filled up the zone all night, throwing strikes at a high rate and keeping Florida from ever fully settling in.

Rabe was one out away from escaping the fifth cleanly before Surowiec’s two-run shot ended his night. Even so, it was a steady, competitive outing against a dangerous lineup.

From there, the Rebels turned it over to the bullpen—and it delivered.

Hudson Calhoun stabilized things immediately, bridging the middle innings and limiting traffic. Landon Waters recorded a key out late before handing the ball to Walker Hooks.

Hooks made things interesting with a leadoff home run allowed in the eighth, trimming the lead to two, but quickly regrouped. The right-hander settled in and handled the final innings with poise, earning his first save of the season and locking down the series opener.

Timely Swings Make the Difference

Offensively, Ole Miss had to work for everything.

Early on, it looked like another night of missed chances, with runners left on base in the opening innings. But the Rebels broke through in the third.

Collin Reuter sparked the rally with an RBI double down the line, and Dom Decker followed by reaching on a fielder’s choice that brought in another run. Cannon Goldin capped the inning with a clutch two-out hit to push the Rebels in front.

The biggest swing came two innings later.

Brayden Randle launched a two-run home run into a stiff wind to extend the lead, and Will Furniss added insurance with a run-scoring double. Those extra runs proved critical as Florida chipped away late.

The numbers weren’t eye-popping—Ole Miss finished just 3-for-14 with runners in scoring position—but the timely hits were enough to carry the night.

Closing It Out

Florida made one last push, but Ole Miss never lost control. Hooks slammed the door in the ninth, and the Rebels walked off the field with a hard-earned SEC road win—exactly the kind of result that can shift momentum in a series.

Notable Performances

• Brayden Randle: 2-run HR
• Cannon Goldin: 2 hits, RBI
• Will Furniss: RBI double, reached base three times

Up Next

Ole Miss will look to build on the win Friday night, with Hunter Elliott expected to take the ball against Florida’s Aidan King. First pitch is set for 5:30 p.m. on SEC Network+.