Ole Miss Baseball Set to Face No. 22 Arkansas in Fayetteville

Oxford, Miss. — The University of Mississippi baseball team, ranked No. 17 by D1Baseball, is heading to Fayetteville, Arkansas, for a three-game Southeastern Conference series against No. 22 Arkansas. The first game is scheduled for Friday at 6 p.m. Central Time, with Saturday and Sunday games set for 2 p.m. each day.

The Rebels enter the series after dropping three straight games, including a loss to Mississippi State and two of three to Georgia last weekend. Ole Miss hit 14 home runs last week, with Will Furniss contributing three. Furniss posted a .429 batting average with six RBIs during that span, and Owen Paino hit .385 with a home run and four RBIs.

Ole Miss holds a 31-15 overall record and is tied for first in the SEC West with Arkansas at 11-10. The Rebels rank among the top teams nationally in walks drawn and strikeouts, with a pitching staff ERA of 4.08. Key pitchers include Cade Townsend, who is ranked sixth in ERA in the SEC, and Walker Hooks, who has a 1.14 ERA over his last 11 outings and leads the team with five saves.

Arkansas, coached by Dave Van Horn in his 33rd year, boasts a 30-16 overall record. The Razorbacks are known for their strong pitching staff, which has recorded five shutouts this season. Pitchers Hunter Dietz and Cole Gibler are projected to start Friday and Saturday, respectively. Offensively, Ryder Helfrick leads the team with 14 home runs, and Carter Rutenbar has the highest batting average at .330.

The series marks a key matchup in the SEC standings, with both teams vying for control of the division. Fans can watch the games via SEC Network+ or SEC Network, and listen on the Ole Miss Radio Network with commentators David Kellum and Brad Henderson.

Source: Original Article