ARLINGTON, Texas — Ole Miss tagged Clemson pitching for four home runs as the Rebels run-ruled the No. 15 Tigers 15-5 in seven innings in head coach Erik Bakich’s return to the dugout Sunday in the Shriners Children’s College Showdown at Globe Life Field.

Bakich was suspended for the first two games due to being ejected in the final contest of the 2024 season.

Ole Miss hitters pounded out 13 hits and drew seven walks, while only leaving three runners on base all afternoon.

Luke Hill was responsible for two of the Ole Miss homers, as the Rebels’ second basemen finished the afternoon a perfect 3-for-3 with five RBI and four runs scored.

Dominic Listi went 1-for-2 with two runs driven in for Clemson, while Josh Paino finished 2-for-3 with an RBI.

Ole Miss was able to get to starting pitcher Justin Leguernic early. The lefty allowed three first-inning hits, including Ryan Moerman launching a three-run homer out to left to give the Rebels an early 3-0 lead.

Ole Miss was able to add to that lead in the top of the second. After Luguernic gave up a walk and a single to start the frame, Hayden Federico drove in one on a fielder’s choice and Hill then drove in Federico with a triple into the right-field corner, putting the Tigers into an early 5-0 hole.

Judd Uttermark then launched a massive two-run shot out to left, making it 7-0 and ending Leguernic’s day. The sophomore lefty suffered his first loss of the season, going just 1.2 innings, allowing seven runs on six hits. He also walked two and struck out one.

Clemson would get on the board in the bottom of the third. Jarren Purify led off with a double down the left-field line. Andrew Ciufo’s grounder to second moved Purify to third and a sacrifice fly by Dominic Listi would bring him home.

Luke Gaffney then singled and Cam Cannarella walked, setting the table for a run-scoring single by Josh Paino that made it 7-2. Collin Priest then reached on a fielding error by the Ole Miss first basemen, but Cannarella was thrown out trying to take home on the mishap, ending the inning.

Ole Miss kept the pressure on in the top of the fifth. After reliever Luke Brown walked the leadoff man, Federico singled to right, his second hit of the game. Hill then homered to right field, pushing the Rebels’ lead out to 10-2. Brown would hit the very next hitter and his day was done after facing just four batters and not recording an out.

The Tigers continued to try and chip away at the lead in the bottom half of the fourth, getting RBI singles from Listi and Ciufo that made it 10-4.

In the top of the fifth, Ole Miss put runners on second and third with two out. Bakich once again went to his bag of tricks, with third baseman Josh Paino pulling off the hidden ball trick to end the inning. Clemson famously pulled off the same play against Coastal Carolina in the regional last season. The Tigers also successfully pulled off the play in Tallahassee against Florida State in 2023.

Hill would hit his second long ball of the game to lead off the sixth, taking reliever BJ Bailey deep to left, making it 11-4. It was Hill’s second home run of the contest.

Clemson added a run in the bottom half of the inning when Ciufo scored from third on a wild pitch.

Ole Miss continued to have its way with Clemson pitching in the seventh. A Luke Cheng sacrifice fly and run-scoring double by Federico made it 13-5. Freshman hurler Dion Brown then threw two wild pitches allowing two more runs to score and give the Rebels the 10-run advantage at 15-5.

Clemson finishes the Showdown with a 2-1 record, notching wins over No. 17 Oklahoma State and No. 21 Arizona.

Up Next

The Tigers will play their home opener on Wednesday, as Clemson welcomes Presbyterian to Doug Kingsmore. First pitch is at 4 p.m.