ARLINGTON, Texas-On Friday, Ole Miss, behind Hunter Elliott, opened its season with a 2-1 win over Arizona in the Shriner’s Children’s College Classic.
Elliott, the 2022 College World Series star who has been beset by injuries since, threw five scoreless innings with three strikeouts, three walks and two hits.
Louisville transfer Isaac Humphrey hit a solo home run for the Rebels in his Ole Miss debut.
It was a quiet first four and a half innings in the game. However, once Arizona pulled starting pitcher Collin McKinney, Ole Miss got the scoring going in the fifth inning.
Luke Hill hit a sacrifice fly ball for the first run of the game. Humphrey followed up Hill’s sac fly with a solo home run in the very next at-bat to make it 2-0 in favor of the Rebels.
Both Hill and Humphrey had good games, going a combined 4 for 6 in the game hitting the ball.
Arizona had an answer in the eighth inning with a home run from shortstop Mason White. This cut the lead in half making it 2-1. A hitter later, Mason Morris issued a walk that led to his exit.
In the eighth inning, the Rebels left the bases loaded and kept it a one run game. This gave the Wildcats a chance to gain the lead in the game.
After a couple of walks, a sacrifice bunt play, and an intentional walk, Arizona had a bases-loaded scenario in the ninth inning. However, Connor Spencer closed the game without any damage.
Elliott hadn’t pitched since early in 2023, when he allowed seven runs across six innings of two appearances.
The Rebels will face off against the Texas Longhorns Saturday, Feb. 15, in Globe Life Field. The first pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m. C.T. The game will not count toward conference standings.