Ole Miss baseball started its 2026 season with an 11-3 win over Nevada at Swayze Field. This victory marks the Rebels’ sixth consecutive season-opening win since 2021. Head coach Mike Bianco achieved his 950th career win at Ole Miss.
Tristan Bissetta had a strong debut, going 2-for-3 with four RBIs and two runs scored. He was one of six Rebels to record a hit, and among three players—alongside Will Furniss and Brayden Randle—to have multiple hits in the game.
Hunter Elliott began the season on the mound for Ole Miss, striking out seven batters in five innings. He allowed three hits, two walks, and one earned run. His seven strikeouts were the most by any Rebel pitcher in a season opener since he struck out nine against Delaware in 2023.
Judd Utermark reached base three times and tied his career high by scoring three runs, becoming the first Rebel to score three times in a season opener since Thomas Dillard did so in 2018.
Brett Moseley made an impact with a home run during his first collegiate at-bat, sending the ball more than 400 feet to right field.
Nevada took an early lead with a first-inning home run, but Ole Miss responded with four runs in their half of the inning. Bissetta’s bases-clearing double brought in the first three runs for Ole Miss. He added another RBI in the second inning.
Elliott settled down after the first inning and pitched scoreless second and third innings with two additional strikeouts.
The Rebels maintained baserunners through the early innings. In the fourth inning, Daniel Pacella recorded his first RBI as a Rebel with a sacrifice groundout that extended Ole Miss’ lead.
Nevada narrowed the gap to 7-3 at the top of the sixth before Hudson Calhoun entered as relief pitcher for Ole Miss. Calhoun struck out two batters to end Nevada’s threat.
Pacella drove Bissetta home again in the bottom of the sixth for his first hit as a Rebel. In total, Bissetta finished with four RBIs on opening night.
In the eighth inning, Will Furniss walked and later scored on Hayden Federico’s single. Moseley followed by hitting a home run on his first collegiate pitch, bringing Federico and himself across home plate.
Calhoun pitched into the ninth inning with an eight-run cushion. After allowing one single, he induced a double play to close out Nevada’s offense and secure his first career save.
Ole Miss will face Nevada again Saturday at noon Central Time for game two of their series; Sunday’s finale is scheduled for 1:30 p.m., both available via SECN+ streaming service.
