Ole Miss vs. Arkansas St baseball: Rebels move first pitch due to inclement weather

Opening Day for Ole Miss was spent outside of Oxford. The Rebels headed to Texas to play three games in Arlington. Mike Bianco saw his team enjoy a nice start to the season, winning two games at Globe Life Field, including Sunday’s 15-5 victory over Clemson.

Fans are now waiting for Ole Miss at Swayze Field for Tuesday’s home opener against Arkansas State. However, there has been a slight change to the schedule because of winter weather travel concerns. First pitch is now scheduled for 2 p.m. CT and ESPN+ will still have the broadcast for those wanting to watch back at home.

“Hot off a good showing in Texas last weekend, Ole Miss Baseball will open a 12-game homestand Tuesday evening when they welcome Arkansas State to Swayze Field,” a statement from Ole Miss said. “First pitch is now set for 2 p.m. due to travel concerns related to winter weather for Arkansas State.”

This will be the lone midweek game played by Ole Miss, with nothing scheduled for Wednesday. Weekend series action will resume on Friday against Eastern Kentucky, being the early stages of the 12-game homestand.

All 12 games will be against mid-major programs. Even a March 11 trip to Mobile for a matchup against South Alabama, the first true road game of the year, falls under the same category but the Jaguars are no stranger to the NCAA Tournament.

Ole Miss will next see a power conference foe when SEC play gets underway on March 14. Arkansas is first up on the schedule in what might be the SEC’s most competitive season to date due to expansion.

Ole Miss leaves Arlington with 2-1 record, starts 2025 off well

Three ranked opponents were waiting for Ole Miss in Arlington — Arizona, Texas, and Clemson. Two of the three went in their favor and in different ways too. Ole Miss enjoyed a nice pitching day against Arizona, giving up just one run on five hits and six strikeouts. The bats came alive on Sunday vs. Clemson, run-ruling the Tigers.

A blemish against Texas was the only downside, losing 10-0 in seven innings. Despite being in the SEC, the game against Texas did not count toward conference standings and Ole Miss will not see them again this year — at least in the regular season.

Ole Miss was not projected to fare well this season, at least based on the SEC preseason poll. Coaches projected them to finish in 15th place, only behind Missouri. Maybe some confidence from the opening weekend can make for an unlikely run.