Key takeaways from Ole Miss baseball's fall ball scrimmage against Little Rock

The Diamond Rebels are beginning preparations for the 2026 season with a slate of fall ball games. The first was against the Little Rock Trojans this past Saturday. Here are some takeaways.
2022 NCAA Division I Men's Baseball Championship
2022 NCAA Division I Men's Baseball Championship | Eric Francis/GettyImages

Ole Miss baseball began its fall preparations with a scrimmage against the Little Rock Trojans on Saturday, October 4th, at Swayze Field, offering fans an early look at the 2025-2026 squad in action.

In a doubleheader format of two six-inning contests, the Rebels displayed promising offensive firepower and glimpses of pitching potential as they emerged with a combined 13-9 victory, winning the first game 12-2 before dropping the second 7-1.

Offensive Highlights

The Rebels’ bats were a clear highlight, especially during the first game. Offensive leaders Judd Utermark, Will Furniss, and Collin Ruter made significant impacts, with Utermark belting the first of three home runs on the day.

Tate Sirmans followed shortly with a solo shot, while transfer Daniel Pacella launched a no-doubt home run, introducing himself to the fans in style. The Rebels put together a seven-run inning and showed an ability to score in bunches, which bodes well for the season ahead.

Pitching Outlook

While Ole Miss pitching allowed nine runs across both games, starter-level arms like Cade Townsend and Owen Kelly turned in strong outings to begin the scrimmage. Cade Townsend reportedly looked untouchable. There is a good shot that he will take a massive step forward in his second season.

Owen Kelly has also been a high-profile transfer and will certainly be competing for a weekend rotation spot. The coaching staff cycled in several pitchers, focusing on development over results, with coaches looking for consistency while also allowing their hurlers to work in game situations.

Takeaways

Despite a few defensive miscues, the Rebels looked tightly knit, showcasing a lineup filled with returning talent and impactful newcomers. The cooled-off offense in the second game did little to dampen the buzz around the team’s potential.

As fall training continues, this group looks set to contend for another postseason run and possibly host a regional for the second straight year. Fans left Swayze Field with plenty of optimism, eager to see how this talented roster continues to develop as fall ball progresses.

The Rebels will host a second public fall ball scrimmage in two weeks: on October 18th, against Tulane.

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