Vanderbilt Commodores

Live College Baseball Updates: No. 9 Vanderbilt at No. 23 Ole Miss

Follow along here for live updates, reactions and analysis of the Vanderbilt Commodores' SEC series-opening game against the Ole Miss Rebels.
Taylor Hodges|
Vanderbilt center fielder RJ Austin (42) scores against Xavier on a sacrifice fly hit by designated hitter Mac Rose during the first inning at Hawkins Field in Nashville, Tenn., Friday, March 7, 2025.
Vanderbilt center fielder RJ Austin (42) scores against Xavier on a sacrifice fly hit by designated hitter Mac Rose during the first inning at Hawkins Field in Nashville, Tenn., Friday, March 7, 2025. | Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

No. 9 Vanderbilt takes on No. 23 Ole Miss to kickoff the final month of the college baseball season Friday night in Oxford, Miss. The weather forecast has cleared up somewhat for tonight's contest, but follow along below as Taylor Hodges provides updates, reactions and analysis of Friday's game. First-pitch is set for 6:30 p.m. on SECN+.

FINAL: Ole Miss 8, Vanderbilt 3

(Most recent updates at the top.)

9th Inning

T9: And that'll end things for Vanderbilt. Three up, three down in the ninth inning for the Commodores and Ole Miss wins by five runs. Ole Miss 8, Vanderbilt 3

8th Inning

B8: Barring a ninth inning comeback, wild pitches will be one of the main reasons Vanderbilt loses to Ole Miss. The Commodores threw four wild pitches and Ole Miss scored a pair of runs on those. Another two wild pitches set up Ole Miss for its sixth run on a throwing error. Judd Utermark homered in the next at-bat.

Based on on how Vanderbilt has performed at the plate tonight, the Rebels probably secured the win with a big eighth inning. Ole Miss 8, Vanderbilt 3

T8: Braden Holcomb sends a hanging slider into the right field stands for a two-run home run, closing the gap to just two runs. David Mendez (who replaced Jacob Humphrey) hit a single through the middle of the infield to drive Mason Morris from the game.

Will McCausland comes in to pitch for Ole Miss gets a strikeout and Mendez gets caught stealing at second base to end the inning.

Tommy O'Rourke is coming to pitch for Vanderbilt. Ole Miss 5, Vanderbilt 3

7th Inning

B7: Another inning and another new Vanderbilt pitcher Ryan Ginther relieves Bryan and gets a ground out and strikeout before allowing a full count walk to Isaac Humphrey. Ginther got a ground out to end the inning with one runner on base. Ole Miss 5, Vanderbilt 1

T7: Three up, three down for the Commodores and they have just six outs left to pull off a comeback.

Last weekend was a great performance by Vanderbilt, but this is the Vanderbilt offense we're used to seeing. Ole Miss 5, Vanderbilt 1

6th Inning

B6: England Bryan comes in to pitch for Vanderbilt and is able to keep the Rebels scoreless, giving up a walk, hit-by-pitch and two strikeouts. Ole Miss 5, Vanderbilt 1

T6: Ole Miss brings in Mason Morris to start the sixth inning, who has 12-straight scoreless innings coming into Friday's game.

That streak didn't end in the top of the sixth inning. Morris gave up a walk and wild pitch to move a runner into scoring position, but two strikeouts and a groundout ended the inning. Ole Miss 5, Vanderbilt 1

5th Inning

B5: JD Thompson gives up a second leadoff home run, this one to Luke Hill to start the bottom of the fifth inning. Thompson gets a strikeout in the next at-bat, but then gives up a hit, hits a batter and another single to score the Rebels' third run and Thompson's night is over. Luke Geth comes in to relieve Thompson, and gives up a run on a wild pitch his second pitch on the mound and another before striking out Luke Cheng to end the inning.

Overall, not the best outing from Thompson, but far from his worst. He went 4.1 innings and gave up three runs on eight hits and a walk. He also had seven strikeouts. Ole Miss 5, Vanderbilt 1

T5: Hunter Elliott gives up a leadoff walk to Riley Nelson, but is able to get out of the inning without Vanderbilt doing any further damage. Vanderbilt 1, Ole Miss 1

4th Inning

B4: Ole Miss gets its first two base runners on base, but JD Thompson comes up clutch with a strikeout, ground out (that moved both runners into scoring position) and another strikeout against Hayden Federico.

The Rebels have now left six runners on base and Thompson has six strikeouts. Vanderbilt 1, Ole Miss 1

T4: Jacob Humphrey is out of the game after his second-inning triple that scored the Commodores only run.

Hunter Elliot has already thrown 70-plus pitches through four innings, but has held Vanderbilt to just two hits and got his sixth strikeout in the fourth inning. Vanderbilt 1, Ole Miss 1

3rd Inning

B3: Ole Miss gets a pair of runners on base with two outs, but JD Thompson gets his fourth strikeout of the game to end the inning without any damage done. Vanderbilt 1, Ole Miss 1

T3: Starting to look like a familiar Vanderbilt game at the plate. Brodie Johnston gets a leadoff single and advanced to second base on a wild pitch, but three-straight strikeouts by Hunter Elliot ends the innings. Vanderbilt 1, Ole Miss 1

2nd Inning

B2: Thompson gives up a hit, but doesn't allow any further Ole Miss damage and we're headed to the third inning all tied up. Vanderbilt 1, Ole Miss 1

T2: Jacob Humphrey hits a leadoff triple and scores on a Colin Barczi sacrifice fly to tie the game.

That's what Vanderbilt does better than Ole Miss: small ball. Keep it going (and Thompson keeps striking out batters) and it'll be a good night for the Commodores. Vanderbilt 1, Ole Miss 1

1st Inning

B1: Keep in mind, JD Thompson gave up a leadoff home run last week against Georgia and went on to hold the Bulldogs scoreless and record a career high 14 strikeouts. So, Thompson giving up a first-pitch home run to Hayden Frederico isn't the end of the world, especially when he strikes out the next two batters. Mitchell Sanford does hit a two-out double off the center field wall, before Thompson gets a third strikeout to end the inning.

Personally, I'm not sure what to make of that inning. Thompson looked great, but gave up a home run (and nearly a second). Hunter Elliot didn't look great, but didn't give up any runs. Ole Miss 1, Vanderbilt 0

T1: Well, talk about a bag of mixed results to start the game...Vanderbilt gets a runner on base via a fielding error (who then gets caught stealing second base), then two straight bases on balls before Braden Holcomb strikes out swinging to end the inning. Vanderbilt 0, Ole Miss 0

Pregame

Taylor: Well, we're back for another Friday night college baseball game and I'm guessing there's nothing else grabbing your attention tonight (oh...the NFL draft continues tonight?). I'll be here for the full game tonight with updates and reactions from what could be a great pitcher's duel.

Vanderbilt Commodores Starting Lineup

  1. Riley Nelson, DH
  2. Brodie Johnston, 3B
  3. Rustan Rigdon, LF
  4. RJ Austin, CF
  5. Braden Holcomb, 1B
  6. Jacob Humphrey, RF
  7. Jonathan Vastine, SS
  8. Colin Barczi, C
  9. Mike Mancini, 2B

Ole Miss Rebels Starting Lineup

  1. Hayden Federico, DH
  2. Luke Hill, 3B
  3. Judd Utermark, 2B
  4. Mitchell Sanford, LF
  5. Ryan Moerman, RF
  6. Will Furniss, 1B
  7. Austin Fawley, C
  8. Isaac Humphrey, CF
  9. Luke Cheng, SS

Pitching Matchup

LHP JD Thompson (3-3, 3.95 ERA, 54.2 IP, 70 SO, 18 BB, 24 ER, .227 b/avg.) vs. LHP Hunter Elliot (5-2, 4.04 ERA, 49 IP, 58 SO, 22 BB, 22 ER, .216 b/avg.)

How to Watch: No. 9 Vanderbilt at No. 23 Ole Miss

When: 6 p.m., Friday

Where: Oxford-University Stadium at Swayze Field, Oxford, Miss.


TV: SECN+


Radio: Live Radio


Stats: Live Stats

Vanderbilt Commodores On SI:

Published | Modified
Taylor Hodges
TAYLOR HODGES

Award-winning sports editor, writer, columnist, and photographer with 15 years’ experience offering his opinion and insight about the sports world in Mississippi and Texas, but he was taken to Razorback pep rallies at Billy Bob's Texas in Fort Worth before he could walk. Taylor has covered all levels of sports, from small high schools in the Mississippi Delta to NFL games. Follow Taylor on Twitter and Facebook.

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