Ole Miss Rebels Drop Midweek Game vs. Memphis Tigers: Three Takeaways

The Ole Miss Rebels blundered opportunities as they dropped their midweek matchup against the Memphis Tigers on Tuesday.

Ole Miss' Judd Utermark / Bruce Newman/Special to Clarion Ledger /

After a strong start to SEC play with a series win over South Carolina, the last two weeks have been a disaster for the Ole Miss Rebels.

They have won two of their last six games, dropping their overall record to 18-12. The loss to the Memphis Tigers on Tuesday stings even more because of what is looming this weekend: a date with the No. 1 Arkansas Razorbacks.

Here are three takeaways from the midweek action.

No Big Hit

It felt like the offense had turned the page after a frustrating weekend as an Ethan Groff leadoff single and Ethan Lege RBI double had the Rebs up 1-0 early, but they couldn't put the Tigers to bed. Ole Miss had a chance to break the game open with a bases-loaded, nobody-out scenario in the top of the fourth, but after a Reagan Burford ground ball, Memphis gladly traded one run for two outs.

This continues to be a habit for the Rebels that has been hard to curb. If you can't produce at the plate with runners in scoring position, you will not win games in the SEC or against midweek competition.

Defensive Blunder Turns The Tide...Again

The Tigers pulled off one of the more shocking plays you will see in the 2024 season, scoring two runs on a squeeze play. It seemed as if nobody was paying attention to the runner on second base, and Memphis was aggressive. Credit to them, it worked.

Someone has to be talking while the play is happening. A squeeze is a high-pressure play on an infield, especially one struggling like the Rebels'. Memphis also took advantage of freshman Trenton Lyons getting his first collegiate time behind the dish.

The play turned the momentum squarely in the Tigers' favor, the Rebs had no answers.

Judd Uttermark

On the bright side for Ole Miss, Judd Utermark looked to have his breakout game as he got his first start in a while at first base. Utermark went 3-for-4 with a pair of doubles, and expect him to get a handful of opportunities this weekend in Fayetteville. Maybe he can give the lineup a little more thump with plus speed.

The Rebels begin week four of SEC play in one of the most hostile environments in college baseball this weekend, Baum-Walker Stadium. The Rebels will also face one of the more dominant arms in college baseball in Hagen Smith.

Smith will be a huge challenge as his three-pitch mix of fastball, slider, and changeup has him projected as an early first-round pick in the Major League Baseball Draft this summer. First pitch on Thursday is set for 6 p.m. CT and will be broadcast on SEC Network.