A Rain‑Soaked Start
Ole Miss entered the Lincoln Regional as the No. 2 seed, while Arizona State held the No. 3 position in the NCAA Tournament bracket. The matchup was part of a double‑elimination format hosted in Nebraska, where both teams vied for a coveted spot in the next round.
A sudden downpour forced a delay, pushing the first pitch back to 8:36 p.m. The pause added a palpable tension to the stadium atmosphere, as fans and players alike waited for the rain to relent before the action could resume.
Early Sparks
The game ignited early when Judd Utermark launched his 50th career home run, giving Ole Miss a 2‑1 lead. Arizona State answered with a solo shot from Dean Toigo, extending their advantage to 3‑1 before the Rebels rallied.
Will Furniss delivered an RBI double in the third inning, knotting the score at 3‑3. Moments later, Tristan Bissetta’s solo homer put Ole Miss ahead 5‑3, shifting momentum in their favor.
Dom Decker’s RBI single later widened the gap, while Nuu Contrades added another solo homer for Arizona State, keeping the contest tightly contested.
Pitching Duel
Hunter Elliott took the mound for Ole Miss, surrendering three hits and walking one in his opening inning. Across the diamond, Arizona State’s starter Cole Carlon prepared to counter the Rebels’ potent lineup, setting the stage for a compelling pitching duel.
The broadcast of the game on ESPN2 brought the drama to a national audience, and the Lincoln Regional schedule stretched from May 29 through June 1, promising more high‑stakes baseball in the days ahead.