Utermark sets Ole Miss career home run mark in 17-6 win over UT Martin

Judd Utermark hit a two-run homer in the first inning on Tuesday night to break Ole Miss’ career home run record and No. 15 Ole Miss beat Tennessee-Martin 17-6, the school reported.

The shot gave Utermark his 49th career home run, breaking the mark of 48 he previously shared with Kyle Gordon, Ole Miss said. Utermark called the moment a blessing. “I’m blessed, not only to this university, not only to my family, not only to my supporting cast, but to the Lord,” he said after the game. “I love this university. I love the people here. I’m forever indebted to the opportunity to be here.”

Ole Miss honored the senior with a video tribute. The university said family members and teammates congratulated him and more than 8,000 fans at Swayze Field gave him a standing ovation. Coach Mike Bianco praised Utermark as a leader. “None have been better than him, and we’ve had many great ones,” Bianco said. “He’s loved by the fans and everyone he’s interacted with. He’s patient. All the boxes that you would want to check, from an athlete to a good person, he does it.”

The Rebels poured on a 10-run bottom of the second to trigger the 10-run rule. Ole Miss said Will Furniss led the offense with two hits and five RBIs, and Dom Decker had a hit, drew two walks and scored three times. Austin Fawley and Brett Moseley also homered. On the mound, Owen Kelly (3-2) was credited with the win after striking out four of six batters he faced while allowing one hit, and Wil Libbert opened with three strikeouts in three innings. The team finished with 12 hits and 11 strikeouts, but committed four errors, Ole Miss reported.

Ole Miss is scheduled to finish the regular season at No. 18 Alabama, with the series set to begin Thursday in Tuscaloosa, the team said. The SEC Tournament is scheduled for May 19-24 and will feature the automated ball-strike challenge system, the conference said.

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