FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — It was a pitcher’s duel from the start between the Rebels and Razorbacks on Thursday night, and though the Rebels blinked first, it was Ole Miss (30-23, 13-15 SEC) that came out on top with timely hitting in a 2-1 win over Arkansas (34-18, 13-15 SEC).

With a solo home run in the sixth to get Arkansas on the board, the Rebels buckled down to get out of the inning and responded with a pair of runs in the top of the seventh before Jake Morgan closed things out down the stretch to give Ole Miss the series opening victory.

Matt Crouse (7-4) grabbed the win as he worked 6.1 innings and allowed only one run on the solo shot from Colin Kuhn as one of five hits. He also struck out four while walking two. Morgan then picked up his sixth save of the season, working the final 2.2 innings and holding the Razorbacks scoreless with one hit, a walk and four strikeouts.

Morgan entered the game in the seventh with two men on and got a crucial ground ball double play with the bases loaded to keep Arkansas off the board and preserve the win. Morgan is now 3-0 with six saves in 11 appearances this season.

“Both pitching staffs were great tonight, especially both starters,” said Ole Miss head coach Mike Bianco. “They matched each other pitch for pitch. Both clubs hit some hard balls right at people, but the pitchers really dominated early. We got some timely hits and a big double play to get out of the seventh inning. There were very few opportunities tonight, we just succeeded on the few we had.”

Both pitchers cruised early, putting zeros on the board through the first 5.5 innings of play as neither team could get an opportunity to push a run across the plate and get on the board.