No. 25 Ole Miss took game one against Tennessee on Friday, April 17, 7-4, to extend their winning streak to seven games. Three Rebel homers and three hits with runners in scoring position led to the road victory.
Hunter Elliott got into trouble in the first inning. He gave up a homer, a single and hit a batter, but escaped the jam with just one run allowed.
Outfielder Hayden Federico went 3-for-4 and drove in three runs. Federico tied it in the second with a home run to right field.
Right fielder Tristan Bissetta and third baseman Judd Utermark hit back-to-back homers in the top of the third to make it 3-1. In the fourth, Owen Paino singled and reached third after a walk and a fielder’s choice. Second baseman Dom Decker beat the shift with a single to left to score Paino.
Utermark started the fifth with a hit by pitch and first baseman Will Furniss doubled to put runners on second and third. Federico singled to score Utermark. Paino grounded into a double play, but scored Furniss to make it 6-1.
Federico tacked on another Rebel run in the seventh with a single to score Utermark.
Elliott gave up a single to start the seventh, then Hudson Calhoun came in for relief. Elliott tossed six innings, earned the win, allowed three runs on six hits, struck out five and hit three batters.
Calhoun gave up a homer to the first batter he faced to make it 7-4, but settled in after that. He pitched two innings and struck out four of the eight batters he faced.
Walker Hooks closed things out for the Rebels with three ground outs to get the Friday night victory.
What’s next?
The Rebels look to take the series on the road against the Volunteers on Saturday, April 18 at 3:00 p.m. SEC Network+ will broadcast the game.
