It’s number 25 versus number 24 at Swayze Field this weekend as Ole Miss hosts LSU in yet another huge series that will help define what the postseason looks like for both programs.
Even with both teams in the latest top 25, I would hazard to guess neither fanbase is leaping for joy with how its season is transpiring. The Rebels (23-11, 5-7 SEC) have been fairly dominant against non-conference opponents but inconsistent at best in conference play with its offense struggling to manufacture runs. The Tigers
(22-12, 6-6 SEC) were just upset by Bethune Cookman earlier in the week in a massive upset along with losses to Northeastern, McNeese State and a series loss to Sacramento State have tainted the year thus far.
PROJECTED STARTING PITCHERS
Friday, April 10, 6:30 p.m. CT
- Ole Miss: LHP Hunter Elliott (3-1, 3.79 ERA, 60 K)
- LSU: RHP Casan Evans (2-1, 4.97 ERA, 59 K)
Saturday, April 11, 4 p.m. CT
- Ole Miss: RHP Cade Townsend (2-1, 1.82 ERA, 46 K)
- LSU: RHP William Schmidt (4-2, 2.63 ERA, 56 K)
Sunday, April 12, 1:30 p.m. CT
- Ole Miss: RHP Taylor Rabe (3-1, 3.20 ERA, 32 K)
- LSU: RHP Grant Fontenot (0-0, 1.50 ERA, 15 K)
In my opinion, this series could be won or lost on Friday night. Ole Miss and LSU are sending very much known quantities to the mound on Friday and Saturday with more uncertainty set for Sunday. A win or loss on Friday would put ease or tension on a locker room in this huge rivalry series.
There are some milestones approaching for a couple Rebels of note. With seven more strikeouts, Hunter Elliott will move into third all time in punchouts for Ole Miss behind only Lance Lynn and Drew Pomeranz. Fingers crossed that happens on Friday obviously. Then there’s the home run record being chased by Judd Utermark who sits at 42 career dingers at Ole Miss. Only two Rebels have more career roundtrippers than Utermark in the legend Tim Elko with 46 and the all time leader Kyle Gordon at 48. Again, I think the best thing there is just to hit seven bombs this weekend, Judd.
LSU has won nine of the last 13 series against Ole Miss including sweeping the Rebels the last time it visited Oxford. The last time these two teams faced each other was in last year’s SEC Tournament semifinal with the Rebels blanking the Tigers 2-0 to go to the SEC Championship game.
The overall series is currently in LSU’s favor 185-160 all time. All three games will be streamed live on SEC Network+.
