History was made under the lights at Swayze Field on Tuesday night, as the Ole Miss Rebels routed UT-Martin 17-6 in a game that was never in doubt—but the real story came in the very first inning.

Judd Utermark stepped to the plate and launched the first pitch he saw over the left field wall, notching his 49th career home run and breaking the all-time program record of 48 set by Kyle Gordon. The slugger also became the first Rebel ever to hit 20 homers in two different seasons, cementing his place in Ole Miss lore. With the entire sport knowing to pitch around him, Utermark’s back-to-back power surges showcase a rare blend of patience and execution that separates great hitters from legends.

The game itself was a fireworks display from the start. Ole Miss (35-18, 14-13 SEC) jumped out to a commanding 16-2 lead, powered by Will Furniss’s five RBIs and Austin Fawley’s four-RBI night, which included a home run of his own. The Rebels needed just 12 hits to plate 17 runs, ending things in the seventh inning via the run rule.

While names like Tim Elko and Matt Smith came close to the home run record over the past four decades, Utermark’s consistency stands out. To have a 20-homer season once is impressive; to do it back-to-back when every pitcher is trying to avoid you? That’s the mark of a true competitor who waits for his pitch and makes it count.

Next up: a crucial road trip to Tuscaloosa for a three-game series against Alabama, starting Thursday, May 14. The Rebels are likely eyeing two more wins to lock up a regional hosting bid—though a strong showing in Hoover at the SEC Tournament might be needed to seal the deal. We’ll have your full series preview tomorrow, including projected starters and how to catch all the action.