Another elite showing on the mound has secured Ole Miss a spot in the SEC championship game. To make matters even better for Rebel fans, Oxford has essentially been cemented as an NCAA Tournament hosting spot.
On Saturday, the No. 7 seed Rebels (40-18) blanked No. 3 seed LSU (43-14) by a score of 2-0 to advance to the title matchup in Hoover, Alabama. The shutout marked the first time since 2016 that the Tigers had been held scoreless in a conference tournament matchup. Ole Miss first baseman Will Furniss got the red and blue on the board early with a two-out long ball in the top of the first inning.
OPPO TACO 🌮@WillFurniss x #HottyToddy pic.twitter.com/x0xI383IHf
— Ole Miss Baseball (@OleMissBSB) May 24, 2025
A Campbell Smithwick RBI single in the top of the fourth inning gave the Rebels an insurance run to put Mike Bianco’s club up 2-0. In the meantime, Rebel right-handed pitcher Cade Townsend, who typically served as a midweek starter for Ole Miss this season, led a heroic outing. The freshman from California struck out three LSU batters while surrendering just two hits and walking just three men through 4.2 innings.
As Ole Miss’ bats hit a dead stop, pitching was a necessity to carry the team to a victory. Pearl native Gunnar Dennis trotted out to the mound to relieve Townsend in the bottom of the fifth. The senior southpaw led his squad through 2.1 mostly clean innings. A nice play by third baseman Luke Hill to throw out a baserunner aided in Dennis’ efforts. Will McCausland, with no additional runs from the offense to give him a safety net, retired all three Tigers he faced in the bottom of the eighth.
OH MY LUKE HILL@Luke_Hill22 x #HottyToddy pic.twitter.com/yM769pt0IY
— Ole Miss Baseball (@OleMissBSB) May 24, 2025
Ole Miss was, again, unable to tack on any additional runs in the top of the ninth. Head coach Mike Bianco turned to his trustworthy closer, Connor Spencer, to seal the deal against one of the nation’s top teams. After notching two quick outs, Spencer worked himself into a bit of a jam. A five-pitch walk sent Ethan Frey to first base with the tying run at the plate.
Frey worked his way to third base, giving LSU a runner in scoring position. Spencer, a right-handed hurler, forced a Josh Pearson flyout on a full count to send the Rebels to the championship game.
Dennis was handed the win after striking out two batters and holding LSU both hitless and scoreless in 2.1 innings. Spender was credited with the save for his efforts in the ninth inning. Tiger right-hander Jaden Noot had the loss etched onto his stat sheet, though he had a decent outing consisting of seven strikeouts.
The Rebels will return to the diamond on Sunday to face No. 4 seed Vanderbilt at noon on the SEC Network and participating SuperTalk Mississippi stations. Ole Miss took two of three games in its series versus the Commodores earlier this season. Sunday’s contest will also be an SEC Championship rematch between the two clubs. Vanderbilt took the crown over the Rebels in 2019. Ole Miss last won a conference tournament title in 2018.
As for the upcoming NCAA Tournament, Kendall Rogers with D1Baseball reports that Ole Miss has bumped up to No. 10 in the latest RPI. His publication also has Oxford slated to be a regional host site next weekend. Folks will know whether or not the Rebels host in the postseason on Sunday evening.
