Underdog Rebels Punch Ticket to Omaha: Ole Miss Baseball Stuns Auburn in Super Regional Sweep
For the seniors on the Ole Miss roster, the sound of the ball leaving Tristan Bissetta’s bat in the eighth inning wasn’t just a home run—it was the definitive signal that their collegiate careers would end on the sport’s biggest stage. No. 18 Ole Miss secured its seventh College World Series appearance on Saturday after a gritty 5-3 victory over No. 5 Auburn at Samford Stadium-Hitchcock Field.
The Rebels’ path to the 2026 NCAA College World Series was cemented in a high-stakes eighth inning that silenced a hostile crowd in Alabama. Back-to-back home runs from Will Furniss and Tristan Bissetta broke a late-game deadlock, propelling the team to a 41-21 record and a ticket to Nebraska.
Late-Inning Power and Precision on the Mound
Before the eighth-inning fireworks, Judd Utermark provided the initial spark with a two-run double in the sixth that erased an early deficit. Pitcher Taylor Rabe dominated the Tigers’ lineup through seven innings, racking up eight strikeouts while surrendering only two runs in what head coach Mike Bianco described as an exceptional performance.
Reliever JP Robertson earned the win, while closer Walker Hooks shut the door in the ninth to earn his ninth save of the year. This mark represents the highest single-season save total for any Rebel pitcher since the program’s national championship run in 2022.
- Ole Miss improved to 41-21 overall after sweeping the Auburn Super Regional.
- The team is scheduled to depart for Omaha on Monday, June 8, for pre-tournament practices.
- Auburn, the No. 5 national seed, was eliminated despite hosting the regional as the favorite.
The Bianco Legacy and the Road Back to Greatness
Head coach Mike Bianco has now orchestrated three of the program’s seven trips to Omaha during his long tenure in Oxford, tying legendary coach Tom Swayze for the most CWS appearances in school history. The Rebels return to the College World Series for the first time since their 2022 title win, once again embracing the role of the dangerous postseason underdog.
While Auburn found a rhythm early with a 2-0 lead in the fourth, the Tigers were unable to solve Rabe’s command or find an answer for the Rebels’ late-inning power surge. The victory highlights a remarkable turnaround for an Ole Miss squad that was not ranked among the top 16 national seeds entering the tournament.
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Frequently Asked Questions
When does the Ole Miss baseball team leave for Omaha?
The Rebels are scheduled to depart Oxford for Omaha on Monday, June 8, 2026, to begin pre-tournament preparations at Charles Schwab Field.
How many College World Series appearances does Mike Bianco have?
With this victory, Mike Bianco has now guided Ole Miss to three College World Series appearances (2014, 2022, and 2026) during his 26-season tenure.
Who hit the game-winning home runs against Auburn?
Will Furniss and Tristan Bissetta hit back-to-back home runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to break a 2-2 tie and secure the 5-3 win.
What is the significance of Walker Hooks’ ninth save?
Walker Hooks’ ninth save of the 2026 season is the highest single-season total for an Ole Miss pitcher since Brandon Johnson recorded 12 saves during the 2022 national championship season.
