The Ole Miss Rebels brought the thunder to Knoxville on Friday night, launching three home runs to secure a statement victory over Tennessee and extend their red-hot winning streak to seven games. In a crucial SEC series opener, the No. 25 Rebels (28-11, 9-7 SEC) showcased the explosive offense that has become their signature during this impressive run.

The scoring ignited with a solo shot from Hayden Federico, who has been a resurgent force in the lineup. The Rebels then delivered a decisive blow in the third inning when Tristan Bissetta and Judd Utermark went back-to-back, clearing the fences at Lindsey Nelson Stadium to establish a 3-1 lead they would never surrender.

On the mound, starter Hunter Elliott was dominant, earning his fourth win by working six strong innings and allowing just three runs while striking out five. The bullpen sealed the deal, with Hudson Calhoun handling two innings and Walker Hooks firing a shutout ninth to notch his third save of the season.

The night belonged to Hayden Federico, who put together a monster performance at the plate. Going 3-for-4 with three RBIs, his first homer of the season highlighted a remarkable turnaround in SEC play, where he now boasts a scorching .408 average.

With weather on the horizon, Game 2 has been moved up to 3 p.m. CT today. The Rebels will look to continue their momentum behind starter Cade Townsend, who seeks his fourth win. Fans can catch all the action live on SEC Network+ as Ole Miss aims to clinch the series.