Ole Miss Baseball Set for Showdown Against Top-Ranked Arkansas

OXFORD, Miss. – No. 13 Ole Miss Baseball gears up to face No. 3 Arkansas in a highly anticipated SEC series at Swayze Field this weekend, starting Friday at 2 p.m.

After a 14-5 loss to South Alabama, the Rebels look to bounce back against the Razorbacks, who are currently riding a 12-game winning streak and boast a 16-1 record this season.

“We need to come out strong after that last game,” said Ole Miss head coach Mike Bianco. “Arkansas is a very talented team, but we can compete with them if we play our game.”

The matchup features a compelling pitching duel, with Ole Miss scheduled to start lefty Hunter Elliott. Elliott has been named the Dick Howser Trophy National Pitcher of the Month for February, holding a remarkable 1.86 ERA over 19.1 innings while recording 25 strikeouts.

“I’m excited to get back on the mound,” Elliott said. “I want to help my team get back on track, and I know we can do it.”

In contrast, Arkansas’s lefty Zach Root, who is 2-0 with a 2.11 ERA this season, will also be looking to lead his team to victory.

Recent performances have shown Ole Miss’s offense firing on all cylinders. Freshman Hayden Federico, who leads the team in several offensive categories, is looking to shake off a recent slump after failing to hit in the last game against South Alabama.

“I just need to relax and focus on the fundamentals,” Federico said regarding his approach for the upcoming series. “We have a fantastic lineup, and I know we can score runs.”

Arkansas tops the series history with a 62-53 record against Ole Miss, having swept the Rebels in their last meeting in April 2024.

“The rivalry is fierce and every game matters,” said Razorbacks coach Dave Van Horn. “We respect Ole Miss and know it will be a challenging series.”

Fans can catch all games via streaming, with coverage available online and on the radio with play-by-play commentary from Brad Henderson.

For ticket information, visit the Ole Miss athletics website. This is an important series as both teams enter SEC play, and fans are encouraged to support their team at Swayze Field.