Ole Miss Baseball Looks to Clinch SEC Series Against Florida Gators

The Rebels aim to take down the Gators in Game 2 after winning the series opener.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 9:03pm

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting the action and energy of a college baseball game, with players and the field broken down into sharp, overlapping shapes and planes.A cubist interpretation of the high-stakes clash between Ole Miss and Florida on the diamond.Gainesville Today

The Ole Miss Rebels baseball team will look to clinch an SEC series victory over the Florida Gators on Friday evening in Gainesville. After taking down Florida in Game 1 on Thursday, Ole Miss will send left-hander Hunter Elliott to the mound to face off against the Gators' right-hander Aidan King. The Rebels are led by standout senior transfer Tristen Bissetta, who has been one of the top hitters in the SEC this season.

Why it matters

This SEC series between Ole Miss and Florida is an important matchup between two top teams in the conference. A series win would be a significant boost for the Rebels' postseason hopes, while the Gators will be looking to even the series and avoid falling behind in the SEC standings.

The details

In the series opener, Ole Miss cruised to a victory behind a strong outing from starting pitcher Taylor Rabe, who struck out six batters over 4.2 innings. Relievers Hudson Calhoun and Walker Hooks then combined to shut down the Gators' offense. For Game 2, the Rebels will turn to left-hander Hunter Elliott, who has a 3-0 record and 3.72 ERA on the season. The Gators will counter with right-hander Aidan King, who has a 3-2 record and 1.97 ERA.

  • The series opener was played on Thursday, April 3, 2026.
  • Game 2 is scheduled for Friday, April 4, 2026 at 5:30 p.m. CT.

The players

Mike Bianco

The head coach of the Ole Miss Rebels baseball team.

Taylor Rabe

The Ole Miss starting pitcher who earned the win in Game 1 of the series.

Hudson Calhoun

The Ole Miss relief pitcher who earned the win in Game 1 with two innings of scoreless relief.

Walker Hooks

The Ole Miss relief pitcher who earned the save in Game 1, allowing just one hit over the final two innings.

Tristen Bissetta

The senior transfer for Ole Miss who has been one of the top hitters in the SEC this season, leading the team in several offensive categories.

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What they’re saying

“After taking down Florida in Game 1 on Thursday behind a strong effort from Taylor Rabe on the bump, Ole Miss cruised to a win with contributions coming from top to bottom.”

— Mike Bianco, Head Coach, Ole Miss Rebels

What’s next

The series finale between Ole Miss and Florida is scheduled for Saturday, April 5, 2026. The game will be broadcast live on SEC Network.

The takeaway

This SEC series between Ole Miss and Florida is a crucial matchup for both teams as they jockey for position in the conference standings. The Rebels' strong start in Game 1 has them in a good position to clinch the series, but the Gators will be looking to even things up in Game 2 on Friday.