Around the Diamond: Taylor Rabe finally gets his turn as Ole Miss hosts Murray State
The time has finally arrived for Taylor Rabe.
The Ole Miss redshirt freshman right-hander will start for the No. 17-ranked Rebels against Murray State on Wednesday at 4 p.m. CT. He last pitched in game action in May of 2023.
Rabe spent nearly two years recovering from injuries, including a fractured septum and Tommy John last February. He used the same surgeon as Ole Miss ace Hunter Elliott, who’s been brilliant through three starts and coming off his own multi-year injury absence.
Ole Miss’ starting rotation of Elliott, Riley Maddox and Mason Nichols has combined for a 2.90 ERA so far. They’ve given up just 13 total runs and struck out 53 over 40.1 innings. Elliott and Nichols have both reached the 10 strikeout mark in a start this season, tying or setting new career-highs.
The 6-foot-5 Rabe will look to follow suit.
Rabe was widely viewed as a key piece to the Rebels’ future before the injury bug bit. He was the South Carolina Gatorade Player of the Year. Rabe chose Ole Miss over South Carolina and Clemson.
He’ll face off against Murray State RHP Jacob Hustedde (0-0, 9.00 ERA). The Rebels (10-1) are one of 12 SEC teams ranked in the Top 25. They’ve won nine in a row following a sweep of Wright State last weekend.
HOW TO WATCH
Television/Online: SEC Network+
Play-by-Play: Jake Hromada
Color: Matt McLaughlin
HOW TO LISTEN
Radio: Ole Miss Radio Network
Play-by-Play: Gary Darby
Color: Brad Henderson
SCOUTING MURRAY STATE
The Racers come to Oxford 7-0 (0-0 MVC) on the year following their series sweep over Little Rock. Murray State outscored the Trojans, 36-14.
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Ole Miss is 21-4-1 all-time against Murray State. However, the Racers were victorious in their most recent meeting last season, walking away with a 12-9 win in 15 innings.
Dan Skirka is in his seventh season as Murray State head coach. The Racers were 37-20 (17-10 MVC) in 2024 — the second-highest win total in program history.
AROUND THE DIAMOND
Illinois transfer outfielder Ryan Moerman hit .444 last week, including four doubles, two home runs and eight runs scored. He’s hitting .357 overall, with a team-high .762 slugging. He’s tallied multiple hits in five games. … Towering freshman reliever Walker Hooks, a lefty, has already made four appearances. He’s allowed just two baserunners, (one of whom he picked off) in his six innings.
Freshman left fielder/infielder Hayden Federico leads the team in batting average, on-base percentage and stolen bases. … Federico has at least one hit in every game he’s played (8). He’s one of three Rebels with a three-hit game, and he’s yet to strike out. Federico’s scored in all but one game. … Elliott has three wins in three starts. He’s yet to allow a run. … Ole Miss’ three ranked wins in February are the most in the opening month of the season since 2021.
Ole Miss is ranked No. 16 nationally in home runs (20) and home runs per game (1.82).
The Rebels are 24th in walks drawn (72). … Moerman, Judd Utermark, Luke Hill and Mitchell Sanford each have double-digit RBI through 11 games played. They’ve driven in 47 of the Rebels’ 86 runs. … Utermark is riding a three-game home run streak.
