A pivotal opening round clash
The Ole Miss Rebels are set to open the SEC Tournament on May 19, stepping onto the field at the Hoover Met Complex in Alabama against a Missouri squad that finished the regular season at the bottom of the conference.
Seeded ninth, the Rebels are the highest‑ranked team among the first‑round participants, and their performance could influence their placement as a No. 2 seed in the upcoming NCAA Tournament.
Early in the game, Ole Miss struck first when Dom Decker launched a home run in the opening inning, followed by Austin Fawley’s solo blast in the second. The third inning saw Kam Durnin add a two‑run homer, pushing the lead to three runs.
Missouri’s response and the fifth‑inning swing
Missouri answered with a grand slam from Kaden Peer in the fifth, extending their advantage to 7‑2. Tristan Bissetta’s RBI double in the same frame trimmed the gap to 7‑3, while hits from Hayden Federico and Owen Paino kept the Rebels’ offense alive.
The contest featured multiple ABS challenges, with both teams using all three of their allotted reviews. Missouri’s challenge in the third inning turned a ball into a strike, a moment that shifted momentum.
On the mound, Ole Miss starter left‑hander Wil Libbert (2‑2, 6.97 ERA) faced Missouri’s right‑hander Josh McDevitt (3‑5, 4.03 ERA). The duel underscored the competitive balance of the matchup.
Fans can watch the action live on the SEC Network, which will broadcast the game and the remainder of the tournament schedule, culminating in the championship game on May 24.