Federico again sparked the Ole Miss offense, this time in a 9-4 series-clinching win over EKU

True freshman Ole Miss infielder Hayden Federico is forcing Mike Bianco’s hand. 

Federico has only started two of the Rebels’ six games thus far. However, he led off in both, sparking the Ole Miss offense in a pair of wins.

Federico has five hits in eight at-bats, including a two-run double in an 9-4 Ole Miss win over Eastern Kentucky on Saturday. Ole Miss improved to 5-1 in the season, while Eastern Kentucky fell to 0-6.

“Some big hits,” Ole Miss head coach Mike Bianco said. “Another really good day by Federico offensively. That’s how you score with so many innings, we just had a lot of really good at-bats.”

Federico was coveted, high-ranked 2024 prospect. He was ranked No. 177 overall in Perfect Game’s Top 500. However, he didn’t get the same shine as classmates Owen Paino and Cade Townsend. Still, he put himself on the lineup radar with a strong fall and preseason.

Now he’s pushing for the every-day lineup. 

Federico finished 1 for 3 with two RBI, a walk and a run scored.

The Rebels collected 11 hits as a team, including three from hot-hitting Luke Hill, including his team-leading third home run of the season. He scored twice. Hill came into the weekend hitting .429 with two home runs, a triple and six RBI. He knocked in two and scored twice on Friday.

Illinois transfer outfielder Ryan Moerman was 2 for 4 with two RBI and a run scored. He singled in the game’s first run in the bottom of the first and hit a solo homer in the third for a 4-0 Ole Miss lead. 

“The offense did really well,” Moerman said. “We stuck with our approach that we talked about before the game. We did a great job. It all starts with the leadoff guy. Federico has been unbelievable, and Luke Hill had a great day as well.

“(Ole Miss) is a dream place to play. I can’t wait to see when the atmosphere is as-advertised. I’ve absolutely loved it.”

Ole Miss ace Hunter Elliott was brilliant in the series opener. He tied his career-high in strikeouts (10) in what was his return to a Swayze Field mound for the first time in some 700 days.

REUTER BOMB 💣

First homer in a Rebel uniform for the Olive Branch native! @collinreuter5 x #HottyToddy pic.twitter.com/IpNPoUqiXK

— Ole Miss Baseball (@OleMissBSB) February 22, 2025

Riley Maddox about matched him pitch for pitch in leading Ole Miss to the series win.

Maddox improved to 1-1 on the season with 5.0 scoreless innings. He surrendered just three hits to go along with five strikeouts and two walks.

Maddox was one of five pitchers used in the win. 

“Just one of those days where it went my way,” Maddox said. “(Joel Mangrum, first-year Ole Miss pithing coach) has been terrific. Pitch-calling is probably the biggest thing so far. It’s night-and-day different. Pretty excited to see how the rest of the season goes with it.”

Townsend debuted in relief of Maddox but was roughed up. Townsend was the Rebels’ highest-ranked 2024 signee. He was ranked as the nation’s No. 100 prospect in the Perfect Game Top 500. Eastern Kentucky got to him for three runs on two hits and a walk.

Townsend did strike out three of the seven batters he faced. BYU transfer catcher Collin Reuter hit his first home run as a Rebel. Ole Miss will send veteran RHP Mason Nichols (0-0, 9.00 ERA) to the mound opposite EKU RHP Elijah Underhill (0-1, 8.31 ERA).

First pitch is 12 p.m. CT on SEC Network+.

“We’re going to need a good outing like he gave us last weekend and put some zeroes up,” Bianco said. “Anytime the starter can put a few zeroes up and let the offense settle in … but who knows? Maybe tomorrow’s the day we bust open early. We’re all hoping for that. But you feel good with Mason and a pretty rested bullpen behind him.”