How Ole Miss baseball’s pitching options will factor in elimination game vs Western Kentucky

OXFORD — The Rebels need to borrow the blueprint that Murray State used to beat them if they want a chance to stay alive.

Regional No. 1 Ole Miss baseball lost 9-6 to No. 4 Murray State on May 30. The loss puts the Rebels, the host team after earning the No. 10 national seed entering the NCAA tournament, in an early hole. They will face Western Kentucky, another 40-win team staring elimination in the face, on May 31 (1 p.m. CT).

Murray State’s upset, which sent a shockwave through the Oxford Regional, was derived in large part from Nic Schutte’s workhorse, 119-pitch performance. The Rebels (40-20) may need something similar against WKU (46-13).

“When their starter throws 120 pitches, it’s usually not good for you,” Ole Miss coach Mike Bianco said.

Ole Miss will benefit greatly from its starter against Western Kentucky — probably ace Hunter Elliott, or he risks not throwing in the Oxford Regional — going deep into the game. The Rebels used much of their top bullpen talent in the loss against Murray State. Starter Riley Maddox was pulled after three innings. Mason Morris threw 54 pitches. Gunnar Dennis threw 14. Will McCausland threw 33. Connor Spencer, the closer, threw 11.

How does Bianco feel about his bullpen the rest of the way with his top options, especially Morris and McCausland, depleted?

“I don’t know,” Bianco said. “We’ve got a lot more pieces left, but when you have to get into the losers bracket, there’s going to be other guys that have to step up and pitch well. It starts with tomorrow. You’ve got to get through the game.”

Second baseman Judd Utermark reiterated the Rebels’ “Shower well” motto after the loss. It means players must have a short-term memory.

“It’s obviously frustrating, it being postseason,” Utermark said. “This is my first regional game. I had high hopes for us today. Ultimately we can’t control anything about this game anymore. We just have to put it past us.”

Western Kentucky has a strong offense. The Hilltoppers ended Conference USA play with the best team batting average (.318) and hits (542) in the league. Bianco said the key to Ole Miss overcoming its early stumble will be by taking one game at a time, starting with WKU.

“Somebody does it every year,” Bianco said. “Somebody loses Game 1 and makes it through. I like this club and I know we’ll stick together. I think you’ve got to be careful of trying to look to the finish line and look to the next step. The next step is tomorrow.”

Sam Hutchens covers Ole Miss for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at Shutchens@gannett.com or reach him on X at @Sam_Hutchens_