Alabama won the Southeastern Conference series opener against Ole Miss with a 5-4 victory in Tuscaloosa on May 14. The game was decided in the final inning as Ole Miss’s comeback attempt fell short.
The result is significant for both teams as they compete for positioning within the conference. The close score and late-game drama highlight the competitive nature of the matchup.
Ole Miss led early after Dom Decker hit a home run on the first pitch of the game, giving his team a 1-0 lead. Alabama responded with two runs in the bottom of the first, including a two-run homer by Justin Lebron. The Rebels tied it up again in the second when Austin Fawley singled to score Hayden Federico. Tristan Bissetta put Ole Miss ahead once more with his twentieth home run of the season in the sixth inning.
Hunter Elliott started for Ole Miss and allowed only two runs on five hits, striking out eight over six innings before leaving during a crucial seventh inning. Alabama scored three runs that inning to take a 5-3 lead, helped by singles from JoJo Williamson and Bryce Fowler and several walks issued by reliever Hudson Calhoun. Landon Waters finished out that frame for Ole Miss without further damage.
In their last chance at bat, Ole Miss managed to bring home one run on another single from Fawley but could not tie or win before making their final out. Elliott took his third loss of the season while Taylor Fay earned his ninth win for Alabama; Matthew Heiberger collected his fourth save this year.
Both teams had similar offensive outputs, with nine hits for Ole Miss and eight for Alabama. They are scheduled to play again Friday evening.
