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Ole Miss’ Season Opener Magic: Watch Elliott and Humphrey key win over Arizona

Ben Garrettby:Ben Garrett•02/15/25•

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Ole Miss outfielder Isaac Humphrey and hitting coach Mike Clement (Photo credit: Ole Miss Baseball/X)

Ole Miss baseball on Friday won its fifth consecutive season opener and 14th in its last 15.

The Rebels rode veteran left-hander Hunter Elliott to a 2-1 win over No. 21 Arizona. Elliott was making his return to a starting mound for the first time since 2023. 

Elliott was a catalyst for Ole Miss’ run to its first-ever national title in the summer of 2022. Friday was just his third start since. He allowed two hits but no runs with three strikeouts and three walks in 5.0 innings. 

Elliott touched 94 with his fastball. 

“It was a long road,” Elliott said, in a postgame interview with FloSports. “So much excitement and adrenaline. It was a little tough to contain it at times, but I’m just excited to be back. I love this team.”

Ole Miss’ first home run of the season, by Louisville transfer slugger Isaac Humphrey, proved decisive.

Humphrey, who has just one season of eligibility remaining, hit .311 with 14 doubles, 10 home runs and 40 RBI last season. He slugged .563 and posted a .417 on-base percentage. 

Humphrey hit third for the Rebels in his debut. He was 2 for 3 with an RBI, run scored and a walk.

“Doesn’t have a bad at-bat, and he’s an old guy,” long-time Ole Miss hitting coach Mike Clement previously said of Humphrey in a sit-down with the Ole Miss Spirit.

“I don’t know what we would have done had we not gotten him. He’s going to have a terrific year. Just an incredibly mature kid with no ego. Tries to deflect credit. He’s going have a hard time deflecting credit this year. Gonna have a really good year for us. He’s been our best offensive player thus far.”

Ole Miss is playing in the Shriner’s Children’s College Showdown for the second time in four years. The Rebels next take on No. 19 Texas Saturday at 7 p.m. CT on FloSports. 

Ole Miss will send veteran righty Riley Maddox to the bump opposite Texas LHP Luke Harrison. The included highlights from Friday’s win were provided by Ole Miss Athletics.

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