Ole Miss Rebels Rally for 8-5 Victory Over No. 5 Tennessee

OXFORD, Miss. – The No. 6 Ole Miss Rebels defeated the No. 5 Tennessee Volunteers 8-5 on Saturday afternoon at Swayze Field, leveling the series after Tennessee won the opener on Friday.

Starting pitcher Riley Maddox led the charge for Ole Miss with a strong five-inning performance, striking out five batters and allowing no earned runs. The Rebels improved to 27-8 overall and 9-7 in the Southeastern Conference with this crucial victory.

“I was really proud of our guys for bouncing back after a tough loss yesterday,” Maddox said. “Everyone stepped up today, from the pitching staff to our hitters. We played as a team, and that’s how we need to approach every game going forward.”

The Rebels found success early, scoring four runs in the first two innings combined, including a pivotal two-run double from Andrew Fischer that put Ole Miss ahead 3-0 heading into the third inning.

Tennessee responded in the fifth inning, trimming the deficit to 4-3 on a two-run homer by Isaiah Spiller, but Ole Miss quickly countered with a four-run outburst in the bottom half of the inning, highlighted by a two-run triple from Gavin Kilen.

“We struggled initially but managed to maintain our focus and keep the pressure on,” Kilen said after the game. “This win means a lot, not just for the series but for our confidence as we move deeper into the season.”

The Volunteers fought back, scoring two runs in the late innings, but five Ole Miss bullpen pitchers combined to secure the victory, with Dylan Loy earning the save after throwing the final two innings and striking out three batters.

The Rebels will look to take the series with a decisive victory on Sunday, sending Hunter Elliott to the mound for the start. Meanwhile, Tennessee’s Liam Doyle is expected to start, searching for redemption after a shaky outing during the series opener.

This series marks a critical juncture for both teams, with Ole Miss reveling in their recent form after recording significant conference wins against Kentucky and Missouri, while Tennessee aims to recover from their previous series loss to Texas A&M that snapped their lengthy SEC winning streak.

As the final game of the series approaches, the stakes are high for both teams, each vying for supremacy in the SEC standings and to enhance their postseason prospects.