What to know about Ole Miss, Troy’s next College World Series opponent

Troy baseball finds itself staring down an elimination game once again. Much like their start in the Gainesville Regional, the Trojans fell in their College World Series opener and now face a must-win scenario in Game 2. This time, however, the challenge is even greater as they prepare to take on Ole Miss.

The Road to Omaha

Ole Miss enters the loser's bracket following a Friday defeat at the hands of North Carolina. While neither Troy nor the Rebels were national seeds, both teams clawed their way to Omaha through gritty performances. The Rebels' 6-2 loss to the Tar Heels was closer than the final score indicates; despite the deficit, Ole Miss actually outhit North Carolina 8-5.

The Rebels earned their spot on the biggest stage by dominating on the road. They swept their way through the postseason, taking down Arizona State and Nebraska to clinch the Lincoln Regional, followed by a sweep of Auburn in the Super Regional.

Meet the Rebels

Postseason success for Ole Miss has been anchored by a pitching staff that boasts a 4.39 ERA. Head coach Mike Bianco has named Hunter Elliott as the starter for the matchup against Troy. Elliott, who served as the Game 1 starter against Auburn, brings a strong arm to the mound after allowing just two earned runs in his Super Regional appearance.

The Rebels' bullpen options include Walker Hooks and Hudson Calhoun. Both saw action against North Carolina, though they struggled to keep the Tar Heels in check, combining to surrender five earned runs in 2.1 innings of work. With a day of rest, both are expected to be available for the Trojans game.

Offensive Threats

The Ole Miss offense is a classic boom-or-bust unit. They represent a high-strikeout threat, averaging 10.6 whiffs per game, but they possess significant power that can change a game in a single at-bat. Keep an eye on Judd Utermark and Tristan Bissetta, who lead the team with 22 and 23 home runs, respectively. Both sluggers homered during the Super Regional, and Utermark recorded an RBI against North Carolina.

While only Utermark and Will Furniss currently hold batting averages above .300, the Rebels have four players with double-digit home run totals. For Troy, the mission is simple: limit the free passes. Because the Rebels are prone to swinging and missing, avoiding base runners will be critical to keeping the game within reach and preventing a game-changing long ball.