Ole Miss Baseball wrapped the 2024 fall season last week with their annual Omaha Challenge. From September to November, the team competed against each other and outside competition in weekly matchups meant improve and prepare for the spring. Let’s take a look at some of the standouts from that roughly two-month stretch.
Returning junior Judd Utermark led all Rebels in most offensive categories for the fall. His eight home runs, 16 RBI, and 17 runs scored were all tops on the team. He also had the highest slugging percentage (.896) and OPS (1.349). The infielder had the second-highest batting average (.333) and stolen base number (12).
Luke Hill led the team in batting average, hitting .347 in 49 at bats. He also led the team in stolen bases (14) and doubles (5). He was one of three Rebels to post an OPS over 1.000 with 60+ at bats, joining Utermark and Campbell Smithwick.
Smithwick led the team in walks drawn (16) while finishing second in on-base percentage (.507) and OPS (1.174). He hit .313 with five doubles, 13 RBI, 11 runs scored, and four home runs.
Louisville transfer Isaac Humphrey led the Rebels in total hits (19) while posting a .328 batting average and a .987 OPS. Freshman Hayden Federico posted the highest on-base percentage at .508 while hitting .326 and only striking out four times in 59 plate appearances.
New Orleans transfer Mitchell Sanford, hero of the 2024 Pizza Bowl for Team Elliott, hit .315 with an OPS of .976 and an on-base percentage of .439. He went 4-for-4 and hit the game-winning home run in the Pizza Bowl to end fall competition.
On the mound, three freshmen dominated in their first taste of college baseball while one familiar face returned in strong fashion. Walker Hooks led the staff in ERA amongst pitchers that made more than three appearances, posting a 0.75 mark over 12 innings of work. He struck out 18 batters and did not issue a single walk while posting a WHIP of 0.83.
Cooper Johnson led the team in strikeouts with 21 while posting the second-lowest ERA (1.20) and WHIP (0.67) on the staff. He also worked the most innings of any pitcher in the fall, covering 15 innings in seven appearances.
Cade Townsend led the pitching staff in WHIP with a 0.63 while striking out 17 hitters and posting a 1.88 ERA. He worked 14.1 innings over seven appearances.
Hunter Elliott returned to the mound in his first action since being shut down during the 2023 season and having elbow surgery. The 2022 Freshman All-American made four appearances, posting a 1.80 ERA over 10 innings of work. He allowed just five hits and struck out 14 batters.
Meridian Community College transfer Landon Waters and returner Ryne Rodriguez each posted a 2.70 ERA over 10 innings of work. Waters struck out 10 batters while Rodriguez punched out 16, fourth-most on the team.
Sam Tookoian worked the third-most innings on the staff, posting a 2.77 ERA with 13 strikeouts and holding hitters to a .119 batting average.
The Rebels will open the 2025 season on February 14 against Arizona as part of the 2025 Shriners Children’s College Showdown in Arlington, Texas.
Season tickets for the 2025 Ole Miss Baseball season are now available for purchase at OleMissTix.com.
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