OXFORD — After two high-octane offensive games, Ole Miss baseball and Georgia decided the series with a pitcher's duel.
The No. 5 Bulldogs beat the No. 18 Rebels 5-1 on April 26 at Swayze Field. It was the third and final game of the series after doubleheader on April 25.
The series was a roller coaster. After falling behind by eight runs, Ole Miss (31-14, 11-10 SEC) won the first game 10-8. In the second game, Georgia (34-11, 15-6) outlasted the Rebels 9-7 in a 14-inning marathon that lasted more than six hours.
The Ole Miss loss on April 26 broke a streak of three consecutive SEC series wins.
"This league is a tough league," pitcher Taylor Rabe said. "We played three really close games against a good team. Came up short in two of them. You can't get too discouraged about that result. Obviously we have things we need to do better. Clean those things up."
Ole Miss infielder Judd Utermark (27) slides into home plate as Southern Miss catcher Tucker Stockman (36) attempts to tag him out during a college baseball game between Ole Miss and Southern Miss at Trustmark Park in Pearl, Miss., on Tuesday, April 14, 2026. Utermark was called safe.Ole Miss pitcher JP Robertson (40) throws the ball during a college baseball game between Ole Miss and Southern Miss at Trustmark Park in Pearl, Miss., on Tuesday, April 14, 2026.Ole Miss outfielder Tristan Bissetta (32) celebrates after hitting a home run during a college baseball game between Ole Miss and Southern Miss at Trustmark Park in Pearl, Miss., on Tuesday, April 14, 2026.Southern Miss pitcher Bruce Littleton (43) winds up during a college baseball game between Ole Miss and Southern Miss at Trustmark Park in Pearl, Miss., on Tuesday, April 14, 2026.Ole Miss outfielder Tristan Bissetta (32) rounds third base after hitting a home run during a college baseball game between Ole Miss and Southern Miss at Trustmark Park in Pearl, Miss., on Tuesday, April 14, 2026.1 / 5Ole Miss baseball vs Southern Miss, see our best photos from Rebels vs Golden EaglesOle Miss infielder Judd Utermark (27) slides into home plate as Southern Miss catcher Tucker Stockman (36) attempts to tag him out during a college baseball game between Ole Miss and Southern Miss at Trustmark Park in Pearl, Miss., on Tuesday, April 14, 2026. Utermark was called safe.1 / 5Ole Miss baseball vs Southern Miss, see our best photos from Rebels vs Golden EaglesOle Miss infielder Judd Utermark (27) slides into home plate as Southern Miss catcher Tucker Stockman (36) attempts to tag him out during a college baseball game between Ole Miss and Southern Miss at Trustmark Park in Pearl, Miss., on Tuesday, April 14, 2026. Utermark was called safe.2 / 5Ole Miss baseball vs Southern Miss, see our best photos from Rebels vs Golden EaglesOle Miss pitcher JP Robertson (40) throws the ball during a college baseball game between Ole Miss and Southern Miss at Trustmark Park in Pearl, Miss., on Tuesday, April 14, 2026.3 / 5Ole Miss baseball vs Southern Miss, see our best photos from Rebels vs Golden EaglesOle Miss outfielder Tristan Bissetta (32) celebrates after hitting a home run during a college baseball game between Ole Miss and Southern Miss at Trustmark Park in Pearl, Miss., on Tuesday, April 14, 2026.4 / 5Ole Miss baseball vs Southern Miss, see our best photos from Rebels vs Golden EaglesSouthern Miss pitcher Bruce Littleton (43) winds up during a college baseball game between Ole Miss and Southern Miss at Trustmark Park in Pearl, Miss., on Tuesday, April 14, 2026.5 / 5Ole Miss baseball vs Southern Miss, see our best photos from Rebels vs Golden EaglesOle Miss outfielder Tristan Bissetta (32) rounds third base after hitting a home run during a college baseball game between Ole Miss and Southern Miss at Trustmark Park in Pearl, Miss., on Tuesday, April 14, 2026.Mike Bianco give injury updates for Hayden Federico, Austin Fawley, Marko SipilaCenter fielder Hayden Federico didn't look right when he pinch-hit in the seventh inning on April 26.
He began the game on the bench. Coach Mike Bianco had to make the move because Federico felt tight in the latter stages of the 14-inning game on the night of April 25.
Federico pinch-hit for Austin Fowler in the bottom of the seventh. It was an important at-bat, because it came with two outs and a runner on second.
The move made sense. Fawley was 0-for-2 with two strikeouts in the game and the Rebels needed a spark. Federico smoked a ground ball, but it was right at second baseman Ryan Wynn. Federico looked gimpy as he ran down the first base line.
"Fed's got kind of a strained quad," Bianco said. "Couldn't run. Could swing, but if he would've gotten on base we would have ran for him immediately."
Bianco said Federico and Fawley are day to day. Fawley has a knee contusion, and he can't take his normal catcher's stance. Fawley was the designated hitter on April 26 and Collin Reuter caught in his place.
Marko Sipila, a senior transfer relief pitcher from San Diego State, is out long term. Bianco said Sipila underwent Tommy John surgery on April 21. He hasn't pitched since March 14, and had a 4.50 ERA.
Statistically, Sunday starter Rabe pitched better against the Georgia offense than either Hunter Elliott or Cade Townsend did in their starts.
Rabe pitched six innings and allowed three runs on nine hits. Both teams entered the game with a depleted bullpen, so he needed to get a quality start to give the Rebels a chance. Rabe struck out six and had no walks. It was a nice bounce-back performance after giving up five runs in three innings April 19 at Tennessee.
"I came in, threw a (bull)pen on Thursday after reviewing some film on Tuesday," he said. "Cleaned up some things in my delivery. It was a lot better today. I think it showed."
Georgia scored eight earned runs off Elliott and four off Townsend. The Bulldogs entered April 26 leading the nation in home runs (116) and No. 2 in runs (402).
"If there's ever a silver lining after a loss, it was great to have him back and to get that kind of performance against that offense," Bianco said. "It's hard to navigate through that lineup."
Sam Hutchens covers Ole Miss for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at Shutchens@gannett.com or reach him on X at @Sam_Hutchens_
This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Ole Miss baseball takeaways after Georgia include Hayden Federico, Taylor Rabe