Live Updates: No. 9 Vanderbilt at No. 23 Ole Miss Series Finale

It's still too early to totally declare Sunday's game against No. 23 Ole Miss as a must-win for No. 9 Vanderbilt. But getting swept by the Rebels could do a lot of damage to the Commodores' hopes of hosting a NCAA Regional.

And why does that matter? Well, Vanderbilt is 22-4 at Hawkins Field, but 8-9 on the road. So, yes, hosting a NCAA Regional is looking pretty important for Vanderbilt's postseason hopes.

Follow along below for live updates, reactions and analysis of Sunday's series finale between Ole Miss and Vanderbilt.

Live Updates

FINAL: Vanderbilt 13, Ole Miss 0

(Most recent updates at the top.)

6th Inning

B6: Fennell now has 10 strikeouts and will get a chance to pitch a complete game after shutting down Ole Miss in the bottom half of the sixth inning. Vanderbilt 11, Ole Miss 0

T6: We're now in run-rule territory as Vanderbilt has extended its lead to 11-0. The Commodores now have 14 hits in the game after recording just 10 in the previous two games. Vanderbilt 11, Ole Miss 0

5th Inning

B5: Connor Fennell gives up his second hit of the game, but strikes out the next three batters bring his total to nine through five innings of work. Vanderbilt 8, Ole Miss 0

T5: Against Oklahoma, the Commodores lost the first two games of the series and won the finale in a run-rule victory. Their on course to do that again, unless the stormy weather arrives first.

Vanderbilt added three runs on three-straight RBI hits to lead Ole Miss 8-0. The weather map shows a severe thunderstorm headed towards Oxford that could arrive within the next 60-90 minutes. Vanderbilt 8, Ole Miss 0

4th Inning

B4: Through four innings, Connor Fennell has allowed just one hit, one walk and six strikeouts. But remember, Cody Bowker had a similar start yesterday and we know how that ended. Vanderbilt 5, Ole Miss 0

T4: Vanderbilt gets a couple of runners on base but nothing comes from it. Vanderbilt 5, Ole Miss 0

3rd Inning

B3: Ole Miss gets its first scoreless inning, but not without some drama. Mac Rose was called out after being hit by a pitch he leaned into (and confirmed on the world's fast replay review).
Connor Fennell gets two more strikeouts as he continues to shut down the Rebels. At this rate, the Commodores' five run lead should be enough. But more never hurts. Vanderbilt 5, Ole Miss 0

T3: Ole Miss coach Mike Bianco gets thrown out of the game arguing about, based on what I saw, was a conversation that turned into argument about Connor Fennell's pace. Fennel likes to work quickly (which will give him a lot of goodwill with us sports writers) and sometimes it causes problems. Because, before Fennel threw a pitch after Bianco got tossed, he was given a warning about his pace. Part of me expected to see Tim Corbin get tossed after coming out of the dugout, but Corbin's conversation didn't turn into an argument. Vanderbilt 5, Ole Miss 0

RJ extends the lead in the second. pic.twitter.com/FeTl4GuLcx
— Vanderbilt Baseball (@VandyBoys) April 27, 2025

VASTY 💣

🚀 424 ft pic.twitter.com/GscqDOTxEo
— Vanderbilt Baseball (@VandyBoys) April 27, 2025

2nd Inning

T2: Maybe it's because we're in the final game of the series and Ole Miss doesn't have its best pitcher on the mound? And, maybe, the Rebels are lackadaisical because they already have the series win? But Vanderbilt's offense appears to have finally arrived.

Jonathan Vastine hits a leadoff home run to start the inning, Mike Mancini drew a walk in the next at-bat and Rustan Rigdon hit a single through the middle of the defense to force the Rebels into a pitching change.

The pitching change didn't help much. RJ Austin, who was a game time decision, hit a two-run single in the first batter Walker Hooks faced. Vanderbilt 5, Ole Miss 0

Two-out damage from @mac_rose_ pic.twitter.com/x4yNOpQt5S
— Vanderbilt Baseball (@VandyBoys) April 27, 2025

1st Inning

B1: This may actually be a repeat of the Oklahoma series, but there is still a lot of baseball left to be played. Connor Fennell gave up a double off the center field wall to Luke Hill, but didn't allow any other base runners. Vanderbilt 2, Ole Miss 0

T1: Are we seeing a repeat of the Oklahoma series? In that series, the Commodores lost the first two games and won the finale 13-2. We'll see how Connor Fennell performs, but a couple of two out singles, a walk to load the bases led to Mac Rose hitting a two-run single to right field and the Commodores' first lead of the weekend. It's by far the best at the plate Vanderbilt has had this weekend. Vanderbilt 2, Ole Miss 0

Pregame

It's funny how one week can change your perception about a baseball team. Last week, I thought Vanderbilt had turned a corner, found its offense and would exert itself as a national contender. But now, the Commodores have bigger concerns. A loss today wouldn't be catastrophic, but could be time to go ahead and hit that panic button.

Vanderbilt Commodores Starting Lineup

Rustan Rigdon, LF
RJ Austin, CF
Riley Nelson, 1B
Brodie Johnston, 3B
Braden Holcomb, RF
Mac Rose, DH
Colin Barczi, C
Jonathan Vastine, SS
Mike Mancini, 2B

Ole Miss Rebels Starting Lineup

Hayden Federico, LF
Luke Hill, 3B
Will Furniss, 1B
Mitchell Sanford, DH
Ryan Moerman, RF
Isaac Humphrey, CF
Austin Fawley, C
Owen Paino, 2B
Luke Cheng, SS

Pitching Matchup

RHP Connor Fennell (4-0, 3.00 ERA, 27 IP, 51 SO, 5 BB, 9 ER, .184 b/avg.) vs. RHP Mason Nichols (3-0, 4.43 ERA, 40.2 IP, 44 SO, 13 BB, 20 ER, .242 b/avg.)

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

When: 1:30 p.m., Sunday
Where: Oxford-University Stadium at Swayze Field, Oxford, Miss.
TV: SECN+
Radio: Live Radio
Stats: Live Stats