Ole Miss Looks to Salvage Series Against Rival Mississippi State

Rebels hope to bounce back from tough losses and find offensive spark in Sunday's finale

Mar. 29, 2026 at 4:05pm

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A fractured, multi-perspective painting with sharp, overlapping geometric planes in navy blue, red, and white, conceptually representing the competitive clash between the Ole Miss and Mississippi State college baseball teams.A cubist interpretation of the intense rivalry between Ole Miss and Mississippi State on the baseball diamond.Oxford Today

The No. 18 Ole Miss Rebels are looking to salvage their weekend series against in-state rival No. 6 Mississippi State after suffering a tough 6-1 loss on Saturday. The Rebels, currently on a three-game losing streak, will send Cade Townsend to the mound on Sunday in hopes of breaking out of their offensive slump against the Bulldogs, who have won seven straight games.

Why it matters

This series between the two Mississippi powerhouses is always highly anticipated, and the Rebels' struggles this weekend have put them in a difficult position. A win on Sunday could provide a much-needed confidence boost for Ole Miss as they look to get their season back on track in SEC play.

The details

Ole Miss was held scoreless for the first five innings on Saturday, unable to mount a comeback against the Bulldogs' dominant pitching. The Rebels' offense, which has been one of the best in the SEC in home runs, has struggled with strikeouts and a lack of contact. Head coach Mike Bianco may look to make some lineup changes to try and spark the offense, with players like Hayden Federico, Austin Fawley, Brayden Randle, and Tate Sirmans needing to find their rhythm at the plate.

  • The series finale is scheduled for a 3 p.m. CT first pitch on Sunday, March 29, 2026.
  • Ole Miss is currently on a three-game losing streak, while Mississippi State has won seven straight games.

The players

Cade Townsend

The Ole Miss starting pitcher for Sunday's game, making his first start since dealing with some shoulder soreness earlier this month.

Duke Stone

The expected starting pitcher for Mississippi State, coming off solid outings against Arkansas and Vanderbilt in his last two SEC starts.

Mike Bianco

The head coach of the Ole Miss Rebels, who may look to make lineup changes to try and spark the team's struggling offense.

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What they’re saying

“Win number 20 seems to be pretty damn elusive right now for Ole Miss, and while it is always a good feeling to get a win, right now I think fans have to be concerned how this team is performing against the top 10 programs in the country with such an anemic offense.”

— one-man-to-beat, Author

What’s next

If Ole Miss is able to win on Sunday, it would give them a much-needed confidence boost and help them get back on track in SEC play. However, a loss would extend their losing streak to four games and raise further questions about their ability to compete with the top teams in the conference.

The takeaway

This weekend series has exposed some of the offensive struggles that the Ole Miss Rebels have faced this season, particularly against elite competition. While they have the talent to compete with anyone, the Rebels need to find a way to consistently produce runs if they want to make a push for the postseason. Sunday's finale provides an opportunity for them to salvage the series and regain some momentum.