The Ole Miss baseball team’s SEC Tournament magic ran out on Sunday in a title matchup versus Vanderbilt.
Yet another stellar showing on the mound by the Rebels (40-19) was not enough to mask offensive deficiencies all afternoon. Mike Bianco’s club was only able to piece together two runs from four hits, while stranding seven base runners. The Commodores also struggled to land runners at home plate, but a pair of long balls that scored three total runs, along with a strong pitching effort, was enough to earn the program’s fifth SEC tournament championship.
Vanderbilt, a No. 4 seed, struck first in the bottom of the first inning. A two-out home run smacked by Brodie Johnston put two early runs on the board for the Commodores. Rebel freshman Walker Hooks worked out of the frame without allowing any further damage. The freshman from Brandon got through the fourth inning without letting Vanderbilt add to its advantage.
Ole Miss, the tournament’s No. 7 seed, scored its first run of the day in the top of the fifth. A two-out rally found Hayden Federico reaching home plate on a Mitchell Sanford RBI single. Federico was hit by a pitch earlier in the frame, and Rebel shortstop Luke Cheng was walked to set up the scoring hit.
Sanford gets us on the board!@Mitchell__4 x #HottyToddy pic.twitter.com/g9lEYKE0MP
— Ole Miss Baseball (@OleMissBSB) May 25, 2025
Bianco turned to redshirt freshman Taylor Rabe to take over on the hill to start the bottom of the fifth. Vanderbilt’s Jacob Humphrey, the first batter Rabe faced, homered to expand his club’s lead to 3-1. The right-handed Ole Miss pitcher found himself in a bit of a jam with runners on second and third with no outs, but was able to maneuver through the frame while holding the Commodores to the lone run.
The Rebels, in need of an offensive lifeline, found themselves with runners on first and second with one out in the top of the seventh. Bianco sent Olive Branch native Collin Reuter to the plate to pinch-hit for shortstop Luke Cheng. Reuter hit into a double play to end any threat of scoring by the red and blue.
Freshman right-handed pitcher Hudson Calhoun held Vanderbilt batters scoreless in the bottom of the seventh and eighth innings to keep comeback hopes alive for Ole Miss. Rebel center fielder Isaac Humphrey manufactured drama in the top of the ninth with a one-out solo shot to cut the Commodores’ deficit to one run.
Hump cuts the lead to one!#HottyToddy pic.twitter.com/9Fy9jEXkSA
— Ole Miss Baseball (@OleMissBSB) May 25, 2025
After designated hitter Campbell Smithwick popped out, Vanderbilt pitcher Sawyer Hawks walked back-to-back Rebels, gifting the tying run in scoring position with Brayden Randle at the plate. Randle popped out to center field to end the ballgame.
Sophomore Luke Guth was credited with the win for Vanderbilt. The right-hander struck out three Ole Miss batters in 1.2 innings. Hooks took the loss for the Rebels. The lefty threw four complete innings, where he struck out three batters and gave up two runs on three hits.
After the title game wrapped up, a trio of Ole Miss players were presented trophies for earning spots on the SEC’s All-Tournament team. Ace pitcher Hunter Elliott, second baseman Judd Utermark, and right-handed closer Connor Spencer were honored for their performances in Hoover. The Rebels took down three opponents — Florida, Arkansas, and LSU — to vie for the conference championship.
Ole Miss, which sits at No. 13 in the RPI rankings and is projected to be an NCAA Tournament regional host, could learn its postseason fate as early as Sunday when the hosting sites are announced. If Oxford is not set to hold a four-team regional come next weekend, the Rebels will know where they will continue action on the diamond during Monday’s selection show at 11 a.m.
