
Spoelstra: No need to penalize Ball any further
Erik Spoelstra supports no further penalties for LaMelo Ball after flagrant foul.
Ole Miss baseball has turned around its season, winning six consecutive games after a four-game losing streak. The Rebels, now ranked No. 23 with a record of 27-11, recently defeated No. 20 Southern Miss 10-3.
How Ole Miss baseball's resurgent offense has sparked a six-game win streak
PEARL — Two weeks ago, Ole Miss baseball was in a tough spot.
The Rebels had lost four straight games, including a midweek matchup against Memphis before getting swept at home by rival Mississippi State.
Since then, the No. 23 Rebels (27-11) have won eight of their last nine games and picked up their sixth victory in a row on April 14 by winning 10-3 over No. 20 Southern Miss (25-12) at Trustmark Park.
“The season’s hard in our conference,” Ole Miss coach Mike Bianco said of the SEC. “You can get humbled very quickly, and you’ve got to be able to survive it. … Credit the guys. Credit the older guys in the dugout. They just wouldn’t relent and continued to show up every single day.”
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
Bianco added that while the Rebels’ pitching has remained consistent through most of the season, the offense’s turnaround has been key.
That was on display against the Golden Eagles. The Rebels’ 10 runs tied for the second-most Southern Miss had given up all season. It was also a considerable improvement from the game Ole Miss had against Southern Miss in its 2-1 loss on March 10.
“We hit a drought offensively, and it happens,” Bianco said. “The game’s tough, and swinging and hitting’s tough, and we hit a span there where we just didn’t score very many runs and didn’t give ourselves an opportunity to win games. … But now, as you see … a lot of guys throughout the lineup are swinging pretty well.”
One of those players is Tristan Bissetta, who leads the team with a .340 batting average. He finished 4-for-5, scoring three runs, with two doubles, two RBIs and a home run against Southern Miss. He was a triple away from hitting for the cycle.
Bissetta was one of three Rebels to have multiple hits against Southern Miss and one of five to record an RBI.
“Got some good pitches to hit, and it was all about competing tonight,” Bissetta said. “… Got contributions up and down the lineup. We’ve been doing that a lot lately, and it just looks really good to do that.”
Ole Miss still has five SEC series left, beginning with a trip to Knoxville to face Tennessee on April 17-19. But with the revival of their offensive spark, the Rebels are finding their groove in a critical part of the season.
“I think everybody’s just focusing on making some improvements and getting better,” Bissetta said. “… When you get contributions up and down the lineup, and you pair that with the pitching staff that we have, we’re very dangerous, and we know that. And so, I think we’re starting to see that."
Tia Reid covers Jackson State sports for the Clarion Ledger. Email her at treid@usatodayco.com and follow her on X@tiareid65.
This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Ole Miss baseball offense key to 6-game win streak, Southern Miss win
The win streak was sparked by a resurgence in the team's offense after previously losing four straight games.
After the six-game win streak, Ole Miss baseball's record improved to 27-11.
Ole Miss baseball achieved their sixth consecutive win by defeating No. 20 Southern Miss 10-3.
Before the win streak, Ole Miss baseball had lost four straight games, including a loss to Memphis and a sweep by Mississippi State.

Erik Spoelstra supports no further penalties for LaMelo Ball after flagrant foul.
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