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The University of Mississippi Athletics
Thursday, April 2
Gainesville, Fla.
5:30 PM
Ole Miss
at
Florida
Baseball Travels to No. 21 Florida for Easter Weekend Series
4/1/2026 | Baseball
OXFORD, Miss. – Ole Miss Baseball (20-10, 3-6 SEC) heads to Gainesville, Florida this weekend for the first time since 2021 for a three-game series against No. 21 Florida (23-7, 6-3 SEC). First pitch on Thursday and Friday is set for 5:30 p.m. while Saturday's finale is set for 6:30 p.m.
LEADING OFF
Game 1: RHP Taylor Rabe (3-1, 2.61 ERA) vs. RHP Liam Peterson (1-1, 3.67 ERA)
Game 2: LHP Hunter Elliott (3-0, 3.72 ERA) vs. RHP Aidan King (3-2, 1.97 ERA)
Game 3: RHP Cade Townsend (2-1, 1.90 ERA) vs. RHP Russell Sandefer (2-1, 4.24 ERA)
BROADCAST INFORMATION
Thursday and Friday's games will be streamed live on SEC Network+ with Sean Kelly (PxP) and Nick Belmonte (analyst) on the call. Saturday's finale will be broadcast live on SEC Network with Dave Neal (PxP) and Lance Cormier (analyst) on the call.
Fans can listen to all Ole Miss Baseball games, home and away, on the Ole Miss Radio Network with David Kellum (PxP) and Brad Henderson (analyst) on the call.
SCOUTING REPORT
Kevin O'Sullivan is in his 19th season of being an NCAA head coach, spending all 19 years with Florida.
Last season, the Gators went 39-22 and secured its 17th consecutive NCAA Regional berth. Florida reached the second round of the SEC Tournament before falling to Ole Miss, 3-1.
The Gators are off to another strong start this season, tallying a 23-7 overall record with a 6-3 mark in SEC play. Florida has either swept or been swept in SEC series' so far this season. Florida opened its SEC play by sweeping South Carolina in a combined 17-3 score, which included two shutouts. It would then get swept by Alabama but rebounded to sweep No. 4 Arkansas in Fayetteville.
At the dish, sophomore shortstop Brendan Lawson has been the most effective so far this season. He's hitting .372 and leads the team with 11 home runs. His batting average is sixth the SEC and his on base percentage of .587 leads the conference. Blake Cyr and Kyle Jones are also strong contributors, each tallying at least 30 hits entering this weekend's series.
Florida's projected weekend starters are right-handers Liam Peterson, Aidan King and Russell Sandefer. King has been the most productive of the trio, garnering a 1.97 ERA (fifth in the SEC) and only seven earned runs. Peterson has given up more runs, but he's reached 55 strikeouts on the year so far in his 120 at-bats. In the bullpen, Jackson Barberi is one of the best relievers in the country, appearing in four of Florida's six shutouts this season while fanning 37 batters, the second most on the team.
CHANGE OF SCENERY
Tristan Bissetta was named a Midseason All-American by Perfect Game earlier this week. He comes into the week ranked second in the SEC in home runs (14), fourth in total bases (85), fifth in RBI (38), sixth in slugging percentage (.746), and seventh in RBI per game (1.27).
The senior transfer leads the team in most offensive categories including batting average, slugging percentage, hits, RBI, home runs, and total bases. He has already set career highs in home runs, RBI, and total bases.
Bissetta has four multi-homer games already under his belt, coming against Jackson State, Baylor, Austin Peay, and Kentucky. He had just one in his entire career before coming to Ole Miss.
On February 18 against Jackson State, Bissetta hit two home runs in the third inning, becoming the first Rebel to accomplish the feat in almost a decade. Nick Fortes was the last Rebel to hit two home runs in the same inning, doing so in 2017 against ULM.
WORLD BASEBALL REBS
Ole Miss had two representatives in the recently completed World Baseball Classic, Dylan DeLucia and Josh Mallitz.
DeLucia pitched for Team Italy, making two appearances including a start against Great Britain. Over two outings for the Italians, DeLucia worked 7.2 innings with eight strikeouts and a 2.35 ERA. In the quarterfinals against Puerto Rico, DeLucia worked four scoreless innings and earned a hold for his efforts.
Mallitz made two appearances for Team Israel allowing just two baserunners over two innings of work.
MOVING ON UP
With seven strikeouts on Friday against Mississippi State, Hunter Elliott moved further up the list and is fifth all-time in career strikeouts. He most recently passed former Rebels Doug Nikhazy and Scott Bittle.
Elliott should be able to move into third place over his next couple of starts but would have to have a career year to catch MLB veterans Lance Lynn and Drew Pomeranz.
Ole Miss Career Strikeout List
1. Drew Pomeranz 344
2. Lance Lynn 332
3. Jeff Calhoun 282
4. Mark Holliman 281
5. Hunter Elliott 267
6. Doug Nikhazy 259
7. Scott Bittle 257
8. Brett Bukvich 245
CLIMBING THE CHARTS
After homering on Tuesday against Little Rock, Judd Utermark now sits at 41 career home runs which is seven shy of the Ole Miss all-time record. He most recently passed current radio broadcaster Brad Henderson and NCAA Champion Jacob Gonzalez and is now tied with Matt Smith and Matt Snyder.
Utermark is just the seventh Rebel to hit 40 home runs in their career.
Ole Miss Career Home Run List
1. Kyle Gordon 48
2. Tim Elko 46
3. Matt Smith & Matt Snyder 41
3. Judd Utermark 41
5. Brad Henderson & Jacob Gonzalez 40
7. Kevin Graham 38
8. Burney Hutchinson & Stephen Head 37
10. David Dellucci & Michael Rosamond 36
EARLY LEAD
Ole Miss is outscoring opponents 107-60 over the first four innings. The Rebels are 15-1 when scoring in the first inning and 11-3 when they are the team that scores first.
WELCOME TO THE SHOW
Brett Moseley and Tate Sirmans each launched a home run for their first collegiate hit Opening Weekend against Nevada. Moseley hit a pinch-hit, two-RBI home run in the eighth inning of game one and Sirmans hit a solo shot in the fourth inning of game two. It was also Sirmans' first career start.
Moseley and Sirmans join a decent sized list of Rebels who hit a home run for their first career hit. Will Furniss and Judd Utermark each hit a pinch-hit home run for their first hits in 2023 when they were freshmen. Austin Fawley also hit a home run for his first career hit as a redshirt freshman at Kentucky in 2024.
BIG GAME HUNTER
Hunter Elliott returns to the Ole Miss rotation as the most experienced pitcher on the staff. He turned in one of the best seasons in Rebel history last year, becoming just the fifth pitcher to record a 10-win, 100-strikeout season finishing with a 10-3 record and 102 punchouts. He also became just the fourth pitcher in program history to record 100+ strikeouts in two different seasons. His 2.94 ERA was the lowest by a Rebel starting pitcher since his freshman season when he finished with an ERA of 2.70.
Elliott is the only returning pitcher in the country to have earned 10+ wins and struck out 100+ hitters in 2025.
BRING THE BOOM
The Ole Miss offense set a new program record for home runs in a season in 2025, crushing 124 home runs. It was just the second time in program history that an Ole Miss team has cracked the 100-home run mark.
The Rebels finished fifth nationally in total home runs, ninth nationally in home runs per game (1.94), and 13th nationally in walks drawn (345). They were one of just four programs in the country to have two 20+ home run hitters and one of six programs to finish with 100+ home runs, 100+ doubles, and 100+ hit by pitches.
There are only 16 returning players who hit 20 or more home runs in 2025 and three of them will be in Ole Miss' Opening Day lineup: Judd Utermark, Austin Fawley, and Daniel Pacella.
BASH BROS
Judd Utermark and Austin Fawley both broke the 20-home run mark in 2025, becoming the first pair of Rebel teammates in program history to each hit 20+ home runs in a single season.
Utermark finished with 22 home runs, the second-most by a Rebel in a single season, just two shy of the program record of 24 set by Tim Elko in 2022.
The 2025 Rebels finished with three hitters with 15+ home runs for the first time in program history and six hitters with 10+ home runs, also for the first time in program history.
IMPROVEMENT ON THE MOUND
In the first season under pitching coach Joel Mangrum, the Ole Miss pitching staff finished sixth nationally in total strikeouts. They struck out 669 hitters, 127 more than their total from 2024, which was the largest increase in the country.
The staff also finished 12th nationally in strikeouts per nine innings, averaging 10.8 strikeouts per game.
STAY CONNECTED
Get rewarded for attending events by joining Rebel Rewards powered by Coca-Cola, the official fan loyalty program of the Ole Miss Rebels. Download the Ole Miss Sports mobile app, sign up for a Rebel Rewards account, and start earning points immediately that can be redeemed for exclusive prizes and experiences.
Keep up with all the latest news and information on the Rebels by following Ole Miss baseball on X at @OleMissBSB, on Facebook at Facebook.com/OleMissBaseball, on Instagram at Instagram.com/officialolemissbsb and on TikTok at @olemissbsb. Also, follow head coach Mike Bianco on X at @CoachMikeBianco.
LEADING OFF
- Ole Miss defeated Little Rock on Tuesday 7-4 in their annual Kid's Day game.
- Noah Allen picked up his first career win in the game, working two innings and striking out three in just his fourth appearance.
- Judd Utermark hit his 41st career home run in the win, moving into a tie for third all-time in Ole Miss history.
- Austin Fawley is currently riding an eight-game hitting streak hitting .308 (8-for-26) with two home runs, three doubles, and four RBI during that stretch. He is also on a 14-game on base streak.
- Utermark is on an 18 game on base streak dating back to March 3 against Memphis.
- The Rebels opened their home slate 16-0 before losing in game two of the Kentucky series. The 16-0 home start was the best in program history.
- Tristan Bissetta became the fastest Rebel to hit 13 home runs in a season, hitting his 13th home run on March 19, just 23 games into the year.
- Bissetta comes into the week ranked second in the SEC in home runs (14), fourth in total bases (85), fifth in RBI (38), sixth in slugging percentage (.746), and seventh in RBI per game (1.27).
- Judd Utermark is ranked fourth in the SEC in runs scored (36), fifth in home runs (12), and seventh in runs per game (1.20).
- Utermark and Bissetta have combined to hit 26 of Ole Miss' 50 (52%) home runs this season.
- Dom Decker is ranked third in the SEC and 10th in the NCAA in walks with 32. He is averaging 1.07 walks per game.
- Hunter Elliott is ranked ninth in the SEC in strikeouts with 51 punchouts on the season. His K/9 sits at 12.63 which is also ninth in the SEC.
- Ole Miss has pitched two shutouts this season, one against Ohio State and one against Kentucky. Taylor Rabe has worked the back end of both of those shutouts, taking over for the starting pitcher and closing out the game.
- The Ole Miss pitching staff has struck out 337 batters, second-most in the SEC and fifth in the NCAA.
Game 1: RHP Taylor Rabe (3-1, 2.61 ERA) vs. RHP Liam Peterson (1-1, 3.67 ERA)
Game 2: LHP Hunter Elliott (3-0, 3.72 ERA) vs. RHP Aidan King (3-2, 1.97 ERA)
Game 3: RHP Cade Townsend (2-1, 1.90 ERA) vs. RHP Russell Sandefer (2-1, 4.24 ERA)
BROADCAST INFORMATION
Thursday and Friday's games will be streamed live on SEC Network+ with Sean Kelly (PxP) and Nick Belmonte (analyst) on the call. Saturday's finale will be broadcast live on SEC Network with Dave Neal (PxP) and Lance Cormier (analyst) on the call.
Fans can listen to all Ole Miss Baseball games, home and away, on the Ole Miss Radio Network with David Kellum (PxP) and Brad Henderson (analyst) on the call.
SCOUTING REPORT
Kevin O'Sullivan is in his 19th season of being an NCAA head coach, spending all 19 years with Florida.
Last season, the Gators went 39-22 and secured its 17th consecutive NCAA Regional berth. Florida reached the second round of the SEC Tournament before falling to Ole Miss, 3-1.
The Gators are off to another strong start this season, tallying a 23-7 overall record with a 6-3 mark in SEC play. Florida has either swept or been swept in SEC series' so far this season. Florida opened its SEC play by sweeping South Carolina in a combined 17-3 score, which included two shutouts. It would then get swept by Alabama but rebounded to sweep No. 4 Arkansas in Fayetteville.
At the dish, sophomore shortstop Brendan Lawson has been the most effective so far this season. He's hitting .372 and leads the team with 11 home runs. His batting average is sixth the SEC and his on base percentage of .587 leads the conference. Blake Cyr and Kyle Jones are also strong contributors, each tallying at least 30 hits entering this weekend's series.
Florida's projected weekend starters are right-handers Liam Peterson, Aidan King and Russell Sandefer. King has been the most productive of the trio, garnering a 1.97 ERA (fifth in the SEC) and only seven earned runs. Peterson has given up more runs, but he's reached 55 strikeouts on the year so far in his 120 at-bats. In the bullpen, Jackson Barberi is one of the best relievers in the country, appearing in four of Florida's six shutouts this season while fanning 37 batters, the second most on the team.
CHANGE OF SCENERY
Tristan Bissetta was named a Midseason All-American by Perfect Game earlier this week. He comes into the week ranked second in the SEC in home runs (14), fourth in total bases (85), fifth in RBI (38), sixth in slugging percentage (.746), and seventh in RBI per game (1.27).
The senior transfer leads the team in most offensive categories including batting average, slugging percentage, hits, RBI, home runs, and total bases. He has already set career highs in home runs, RBI, and total bases.
Bissetta has four multi-homer games already under his belt, coming against Jackson State, Baylor, Austin Peay, and Kentucky. He had just one in his entire career before coming to Ole Miss.
On February 18 against Jackson State, Bissetta hit two home runs in the third inning, becoming the first Rebel to accomplish the feat in almost a decade. Nick Fortes was the last Rebel to hit two home runs in the same inning, doing so in 2017 against ULM.
WORLD BASEBALL REBS
Ole Miss had two representatives in the recently completed World Baseball Classic, Dylan DeLucia and Josh Mallitz.
DeLucia pitched for Team Italy, making two appearances including a start against Great Britain. Over two outings for the Italians, DeLucia worked 7.2 innings with eight strikeouts and a 2.35 ERA. In the quarterfinals against Puerto Rico, DeLucia worked four scoreless innings and earned a hold for his efforts.
Mallitz made two appearances for Team Israel allowing just two baserunners over two innings of work.
MOVING ON UP
With seven strikeouts on Friday against Mississippi State, Hunter Elliott moved further up the list and is fifth all-time in career strikeouts. He most recently passed former Rebels Doug Nikhazy and Scott Bittle.
Elliott should be able to move into third place over his next couple of starts but would have to have a career year to catch MLB veterans Lance Lynn and Drew Pomeranz.
Ole Miss Career Strikeout List
1. Drew Pomeranz 344
2. Lance Lynn 332
3. Jeff Calhoun 282
4. Mark Holliman 281
5. Hunter Elliott 267
6. Doug Nikhazy 259
7. Scott Bittle 257
8. Brett Bukvich 245
CLIMBING THE CHARTS
After homering on Tuesday against Little Rock, Judd Utermark now sits at 41 career home runs which is seven shy of the Ole Miss all-time record. He most recently passed current radio broadcaster Brad Henderson and NCAA Champion Jacob Gonzalez and is now tied with Matt Smith and Matt Snyder.
Utermark is just the seventh Rebel to hit 40 home runs in their career.
Ole Miss Career Home Run List
1. Kyle Gordon 48
2. Tim Elko 46
3. Matt Smith & Matt Snyder 41
3. Judd Utermark 41
5. Brad Henderson & Jacob Gonzalez 40
7. Kevin Graham 38
8. Burney Hutchinson & Stephen Head 37
10. David Dellucci & Michael Rosamond 36
EARLY LEAD
Ole Miss is outscoring opponents 107-60 over the first four innings. The Rebels are 15-1 when scoring in the first inning and 11-3 when they are the team that scores first.
WELCOME TO THE SHOW
Brett Moseley and Tate Sirmans each launched a home run for their first collegiate hit Opening Weekend against Nevada. Moseley hit a pinch-hit, two-RBI home run in the eighth inning of game one and Sirmans hit a solo shot in the fourth inning of game two. It was also Sirmans' first career start.
Moseley and Sirmans join a decent sized list of Rebels who hit a home run for their first career hit. Will Furniss and Judd Utermark each hit a pinch-hit home run for their first hits in 2023 when they were freshmen. Austin Fawley also hit a home run for his first career hit as a redshirt freshman at Kentucky in 2024.
BIG GAME HUNTER
Hunter Elliott returns to the Ole Miss rotation as the most experienced pitcher on the staff. He turned in one of the best seasons in Rebel history last year, becoming just the fifth pitcher to record a 10-win, 100-strikeout season finishing with a 10-3 record and 102 punchouts. He also became just the fourth pitcher in program history to record 100+ strikeouts in two different seasons. His 2.94 ERA was the lowest by a Rebel starting pitcher since his freshman season when he finished with an ERA of 2.70.
Elliott is the only returning pitcher in the country to have earned 10+ wins and struck out 100+ hitters in 2025.
BRING THE BOOM
The Ole Miss offense set a new program record for home runs in a season in 2025, crushing 124 home runs. It was just the second time in program history that an Ole Miss team has cracked the 100-home run mark.
The Rebels finished fifth nationally in total home runs, ninth nationally in home runs per game (1.94), and 13th nationally in walks drawn (345). They were one of just four programs in the country to have two 20+ home run hitters and one of six programs to finish with 100+ home runs, 100+ doubles, and 100+ hit by pitches.
There are only 16 returning players who hit 20 or more home runs in 2025 and three of them will be in Ole Miss' Opening Day lineup: Judd Utermark, Austin Fawley, and Daniel Pacella.
BASH BROS
Judd Utermark and Austin Fawley both broke the 20-home run mark in 2025, becoming the first pair of Rebel teammates in program history to each hit 20+ home runs in a single season.
Utermark finished with 22 home runs, the second-most by a Rebel in a single season, just two shy of the program record of 24 set by Tim Elko in 2022.
The 2025 Rebels finished with three hitters with 15+ home runs for the first time in program history and six hitters with 10+ home runs, also for the first time in program history.
IMPROVEMENT ON THE MOUND
In the first season under pitching coach Joel Mangrum, the Ole Miss pitching staff finished sixth nationally in total strikeouts. They struck out 669 hitters, 127 more than their total from 2024, which was the largest increase in the country.
The staff also finished 12th nationally in strikeouts per nine innings, averaging 10.8 strikeouts per game.
STAY CONNECTED
Get rewarded for attending events by joining Rebel Rewards powered by Coca-Cola, the official fan loyalty program of the Ole Miss Rebels. Download the Ole Miss Sports mobile app, sign up for a Rebel Rewards account, and start earning points immediately that can be redeemed for exclusive prizes and experiences.
Keep up with all the latest news and information on the Rebels by following Ole Miss baseball on X at @OleMissBSB, on Facebook at Facebook.com/OleMissBaseball, on Instagram at Instagram.com/officialolemissbsb and on TikTok at @olemissbsb. Also, follow head coach Mike Bianco on X at @CoachMikeBianco.
Players Mentioned
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/ BaseballHIGHLIGHTS: Baseball vs. Little Rock (3/31/26)
Tuesday, March 31
PRESSER | Mike Bianco - Mississippi State Postgame (3/29/26)
Sunday, March 29
PRESSER | Will Furniss - Mississippi State Postgame (3/29/26)
Sunday, March 29
PRESSER | Mike Bianco - Mississippi State Postgame (3/28/26)
Saturday, March 28