Ole Miss Rebels Drop Pitchers' Duel to No. 1 Arkansas Razorbacks

The Ole Miss Rebels were unable to hold onto a slim lead on Thursday night and suffered a 5-2 loss at Arkansas.

Ole Miss Rebels RHP Riley Maddox / Ole Miss Athletics

There was a glimmer of hope for the Ole Miss Rebels on Thursday night, but they ultimately dropped the series opener to the No. 1 Arkansas Razorbacks in Fayetteville by a final score of 5-2.

The game was scoreless through the first two innings, but Ole Miss (18-13, 3-7 SEC) struck first on Thursday, pushing two runs across in the top of the third on a bases-loaded walk and a sacrifice fly. The Hogs would respond with a single run in the bottom of the fourth before a three-run home run and a solo shot in the sixth gave them the lead that they never relinquished.

Riley Maddox drew the start on the hill for Ole Miss, and while he was efficient for much of his five innings of work, four Arkansas runs were credited to his line, all of which were earned. Maddox was awarded the loss, and he was relieved by Josh Mallitz and Brayden Jones in the later innings.

LHP Hagen Smith drew the start for Arkansas, working six innings on the hill and earning the win in the process. Ole Miss' only two RBIs came in the third inning via designated hitter Jackson Ross and centerfielder Ethan Groff.

Ole Miss has now lost five straight games, four of which have come in conference play. The Rebels will look to even the series with the Razorbacks on Friday night at Baum-Walker Stadium in a 6:30 p.m. CT first pitch.

The game will be televised on SEC Network+.