OXFORD, Miss. – Once again, the Rebels used a big inning to get a lead as they scored four runs in the fourth inning to build a lead and then the pitching staff held on down the stretch as No. 2 Ole Miss (9-0) defeated Southern Miss (6-3) by a score of 8-5 on Tuesday.

Evan Button paced the Rebels with a 3-for-3 performance, including a solo home run in the sixth inning. Michael Hubbard and Brett Basham also had solid days at the plate as Hubbard went 2-for-4 with four RBI and Basham was 2-for-4 with two runs scored and an RBI.

Rory McKean (1-0) picked up the win in his first collegiate start as he allowed two runs on five hits with four strikeouts and one walk. Scott Bittle picked up the first save of the season for the Rebels as he entered the game with the tying run at the plate and no outs in the eighth inning. The junior pitched 2.0 scoreless and hitless innings with four strikeouts to preserve the win for the Rebels.

Todd McInnis (2-1) suffered the loss for the Golden Eagles as he allowed six runs on eight hits with two walks and four strikeouts in 3.2 innings of work.

“I thought the story early was Rory McKean,” said Ole Miss head coach Mike Bianco. “Except for the three hits, he was locating his pitches well and getting ahead in the count. Offensively, it was nice to see several guys swing the bat well, especially Evan Button.”

Southern Miss got on the board first as Trey Sutton scored on a two-out double from Keith Winstead. Sutton doubled two batters earlier to reach base. McKean struck out the next batter to get the Rebels out of the inning.

Ole Miss took the lead in the third inning as the Rebels pushed two runs across. Brett Basham scored from third on a wild pitch after reaching on a fielder’s choice bunt and then moving to third on a single to left center from Jordan Henry. A wild pitch to Michael Hubbard scored Basham and moved Henry to second, before a second wild pitch moved Henry to third. He then scored on an infield single to short from Hubbard to give the Rebels a 2-1 lead.

Southern Miss responded in the top of the fourth with a solo shot to right center from Michael Ewing to tie things at two.

The Rebels pushed back in front in the bottom half of the frame, plating four runs to move ahead 6-2. Matt Smith singled before scoring on a double down the left field line from Zach Miller. Evan Button walked before Basham singled through the left side to score Miller from second. A double steal moved Button and Basham into scoring position before Hubbard brought them both home with a single to center field.

Evan Button homered to open the Rebel half of the sixth and push the lead to 7-2 in favor of Ole Miss.

Southern Miss rallied in the seventh, loading the bases on a double and back-to-back walks. Ole Miss turned to the bullpen and Brett Bukvich. A single through the left side from Brian Dozier pushed two runs across and cut the lead to 7-4 in favor of the Rebels. Following a fly out to left by Trey Sutton, the Golden Eagles loaded the bases again with a walk. Bukvich got the Rebels out of the jam with no more damage, getting the next two batters to strike out and pop out.

The Golden Eagles continued to rally in the eighth inning, putting runners at second and third with a walk and a double before Ole Miss again went to the bullpen for Scott Bittle. A passed ball allowed the first run to score and cut the lead to 7-5, but Bittle bore down recording two strikeouts and a groundout to end the inning.

Ole Miss then closed out the win as Bittle got a ground out and two strikeouts to end the game.

The Rebels will return to action on Wednesday when Ole Miss will host Arkansas State. First pitch is set for 6:30 p.m. at Oxford-University Stadium/Swayze Field.