Ole Miss Rebels baseball is entering the final weekend of the regular season with momentum, confidence and a new home run king.
During an appearance on Talk of Champions, Ole Miss hitting coach Mike Clement reflected on slugger Judd Utermark becoming the program’s all-time home run leader while also discussing the Rebels’ postseason positioning heading into a crucial SEC series against Alabama.
Utermark broke the Ole Miss career home run record against UT Martin, surpassing Kyle Gordon’s 48 homers, a mark that had stood since 1987. Clement said the achievement carried extra meaning considering everything Utermark has battled through physically and mentally during his career.
“There was real contemplation of him giving up baseball,” Clement said. “For it to come full circle like that, incredibly well deserved.”
According to Clement, what makes Utermark special goes beyond his power numbers.
“Impossible for that kid not to be a favorite,” Clement said. “There was no one in the ballpark that wasn’t thrilled for him.”
Clement praised Utermark’s leadership and credited his parents, Chad and Tamisha Utermark, for helping shape the person and teammate he has become.
The conversation also highlighted Ole Miss’ success retaining veteran players in the NIL and transfer portal era. Clement explained that keeping homegrown talent has become a major focus for the program.
“We’ve put an emphasis on keeping our own guys,” Clement said. “That’s worked out really well in most instances.”
Ole Miss enters the final SEC series of the regular season coming off a significant series win over Texas A&M and sitting firmly in the NCAA Tournament hosting conversation.
Clement acknowledged the Rebels’ season has been frustrating at times, particularly because several close series losses against teams like Georgia and Arkansas could have easily swung the other way. Still, he believes Ole Miss’ difficult SEC schedule should carry significant weight when postseason selections are finalized.
“I don’t think anyone we’ve played would say we’re the ninth-best team in the league,” Clement said.
The Rebels now control much of their postseason fate heading into Tuscaloosa.
“Go win a series in Tuscaloosa and I don’t see how we don’t host,” Clement said.
Clement also discussed the growth of Ole Miss’ offense over the second half of SEC play, pointing to improvements from players like Hayden Federico, Will Furniss, Austin Fawley and Dom Decker. He credited those players for helping balance the lineup around Ole Miss’ power hitters and making the offense more complete entering postseason play.
The interview also touched on ace pitcher Hunter Elliott, who recently bounced back with an 11-strikeout performance after a difficult stretch. Clement said Elliott’s outing against Texas A&M reminded everyone just how dominant he can still be.
As Ole Miss prepares for its final regular season series, the Rebels remain in position to potentially host postseason baseball in Oxford once again, a scenario that seemed uncertain earlier in SEC play but now feels increasingly realistic.
