An altercation in the student section at Swayze Field led to the arrest of 52-year-old Alton Bloodworth during Saturday’s college baseball game between Ole Miss and LSU, according to sources. Bloodworth, who was wearing an LSU jersey, was seen on social media punching an unidentified male in the face twice while attempting to exit the stadium.
Videos circulating online show a person in the crowd dousing Bloodworth with a drink before he engaged in the fight. A security guard believed to have been speaking to the individual who threw the beverage initially detained the wrong person, according to witnesses. Bloodworth was later handcuffed and taken to the Lafayette County Detention Center, where he was charged with simple assault. He posted a bond of just over $330, authorities said.
The game saw Ole Miss, ranked 25th, defeat LSU, ranked 24th, 12-2 in seven innings. The Rebels overcame an early 2-0 deficit, with Cade Townsend earning his third win of the season after pitching six innings. Offensively, Austin Fawley’s two-run homer and Owen Paino’s bases-clearing double highlighted the victory.
The series has been marked by rising tensions between fans, fueled in part by comments from Ole Miss football coach Lane Kiffin, who left for LSU before the 2025-26 season. Kiffin has publicly mocked LSU on social media, calling the university “Just Different,” which has stoked rivalry sentiments. Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss and former Rebel teammate Austin Simmons also appeared to make jabs at LSU and Kiffin following the first game of the series.
Ole Miss is set to host LSU in football on Sept. 19, in what is expected to be a highly anticipated matchup. Saturday’s baseball altercation underscores the growing intensity between the two programs’ fans, suggesting future clashes may be likely.
Jon Ross Myers is the executive editor and publisher of the Mississippi News Network, Mississippi's largest digital only media company. He can be reached at editor@tippahnews.com
