Shocking ESPN REPORT:Ole Miss Baseball Upsets No. 6 Auburn in Game One of Final SEC Series, 9-2…
In a stunning turn of events on Thursday night, Ole Miss baseball delivered a commanding performance to defeat No. 6 Auburn, 9-2, in the opening game of their final Southeastern Conference (SEC) series of the season. The Rebels, who have struggled with consistency throughout the year, showcased their potential with a complete team effort that silenced a highly ranked Auburn squad.
Playing in front of an energetic crowd, Ole Miss set the tone early, jumping ahead in the first inning and never relinquishing control. The offense was sharp and efficient, stringing together timely hits and capitalizing on Auburn’s defensive lapses. More impressively, the Rebels’ pitching staff held the Tigers’ powerful lineup in check, allowing only two runs over nine innings.
Freshman pitcher Mason Nichols was a standout for Ole Miss, earning the win with a stellar outing on the mound. Nichols threw six strong innings, allowing just one run while striking out seven. His ability to mix pitches and stay composed under pressure proved vital in keeping Auburn’s potent offense off balance.
“I felt great tonight,” Nichols said after the game. “The plan was to attack the zone and trust my defense, and that’s exactly what we did. Everyone stepped up — this was a total team win.”
Offensively, the Rebels were led by senior shortstop Jacob Gonzalez, who went 3-for-4 at the plate with two RBIs and a run scored. His leadership and timely hitting provided the spark the Rebels needed to keep the momentum in their favor. Outfielder Ethan Groff also added to the offensive onslaught, driving in two runs with a double in the fourth inning that stretched the lead and demoralized the Auburn pitching staff.
“We knew we had to play clean, aggressive baseball tonight,” said Ole Miss head coach Mike Bianco. “The guys responded, and I’m proud of how we executed. Beating a team like Auburn takes focus from the first pitch, and we showed that tonight.”
Auburn, who entered the series with postseason aspirations and a top-10 national ranking, looked uncharacteristically out of sync. Their starting pitcher struggled with command, and the defense committed costly errors that opened the door for the Rebels to take control. The Tigers managed only five hits on the night, a testament to Ole Miss’s strong pitching and defensive execution.
The win is a major confidence boost for Ole Miss as they aim to close the season on a high note. With postseason hopes hanging in the balance, taking the series opener in such dominant fashion sends a clear message that the Rebels aren’t backing down.
The two teams will face off again on Friday night, with Auburn looking to bounce back and Ole Miss hoping to secure the series win. If Thursday’s game is any indication, the Rebels may have found their stride at just the right time.
For now, Ole Miss can savor the upset — a hard-fought, well-earned victory over one of the SEC’s best.
