Ole Miss Baseball Drops Opening Game of College World Series to North Carolina, 6-2

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OMAHA — The Ole Miss Rebels fell in the first game of their College World Series appearance to the North Carolina Tar Heels, 6-2, at Charles Schwab Field on Friday evening.

The game was a complete pitcher’s duel between the two starters. Taylor Rabe for Ole Miss went 5.2 innings, allowing 2 hits, just one run via a solo homer, and 4 walks. He picked up 7 strikeouts, putting him at 105 strikeouts for the year with just 15 walks.

How about getting your 100th strikeout of the season in Omaha?! pic.twitter.com/32SWjGa3BR

— Ole Miss Baseball (@OleMissBSB) June 12, 2026

UNC starter Jason DeCaro had a fantastic night on the mound as well, going 6.2 innings, allowing 5 hits, 2 runs, and 3 walks while tallying 9 strikeouts.

The Rebels got on the board first in the third inning when Dom Decker slapped an RBI double into the left-center gap, scoring Brayden Randle from third base for a 1-0 Ole Miss lead.

Rebs on the board first! pic.twitter.com/CtCErBJwjc

— Ole Miss Baseball (@OleMissBSB) June 12, 2026

Owen Hull got the Tar Heels on the board with a leadoff home run in the sixth inning, knotting the game at one.

Ole Miss retook the lead in the top of the seventh when Judd Utermark swung on a 3-0 pitch and ripped an RBI single into left-center field to score Decker from second, giving the Rebels a 2-1 lead.

Leave it to Utermark to make a mark 🥳

His RBI single puts the Rebs back on top!

📺 ESPN#MCWS x @OleMissBSB pic.twitter.com/1YGQCvsfKU

— NCAA Baseball (@NCAABaseball) June 13, 2026

However, that lead did not last long as the Tar Heels responded in the bottom of the inning, taking a 3-2 lead behind a sacrifice fly from Jake Schaffner and an RBI single from Gavin Gallaher.

UNC then put the nail in the coffin when Colin Hynek skied a three-run home run into the left field bleachers to make it 6-2 Tar Heels, and closed out the game in the ninth with a double play and a fly out, giving the Rebels their first loss of the postseason.

A Look Ahead

Ole Miss will take on Troy on Sunday in a win-or-go-home game at 1 p.m. CT.