Troy’s remarkable season of comebacks continued on the biggest stage in college baseball Sunday as the Trojans erased a four-run deficit and outslugged Ole Miss 12-8 in a thrilling elimination game at the NCAA Men’s College World Series.
Jabe Boroff delivered the decisive blow with a tiebreaking two-run double during a four-run seventh inning, helping Troy keep its historic first College World Series appearance alive at Charles Schwab Field.
The Trojans (39-31) recorded their 18th come-from-behind victory of the season and advanced to face West Virginia on Tuesday in another elimination contest. Ole Miss (41-23), meanwhile, was eliminated after going 0-2 in its first trip back to Omaha since capturing the national championship in 2022.
The victory also snapped a dominant run by the Southeastern Conference, whose teams had won 13 consecutive College World Series games against non-SEC opponents before the Rebels fell to both North Carolina and Troy.
Troy’s explosive offense, which entered Omaha averaging 10.6 runs per game during the NCAA Tournament, finally unleashed its full power in a game that turned into a classic slugfest. Under sunny skies, 70-degree temperatures, and a steady 15 mph wind blowing out, the teams combined for 26 hits and six home runs in a marathon that lasted 3 hours and 54 minutes.
The six homers were the second-most ever hit in a game at Charles Schwab Field and marked the first College World Series contest since 2001 at Rosenblatt Stadium in which both teams blasted at least three home runs.
Ole Miss appeared poised to end Troy’s season early. The Rebels scored twice in the first inning and built a 6-2 lead in the fourth after Brayden Randle and Collin Reuter launched matching two-run home runs into the right-field seats.
But Troy refused to fold.
After Sean Darnell homered in the second inning, the Trojans mounted a critical rally in the fifth. With two outs and the bases loaded, Ole Miss starter Hunter Elliott balked home a run before Darnell lined a two-run single to cut the deficit to 6-5 and swing momentum toward the Trojans.
The comeback was completed in the seventh inning when Jimmy Janicki crushed his team-leading 21st home run of the season to tie the game at 6-6.
Moments later, Boroff stepped to the plate and delivered the biggest hit of Troy’s season, driving a double into the gap to score two runs and put the Trojans ahead for good. Boroff later crossed the plate on Houston Markham’s RBI single as Troy suddenly held a 9-6 advantage.
Ole Miss attempted to respond, but Troy’s offense kept applying pressure and never surrendered the lead.
Noah Thigpen earned the victory after providing five innings of relief, stabilizing the Trojans after the early barrage from the Rebels. JP Robertson was charged with the loss for Ole Miss.
For Troy, the win represented another chapter in a season defined by resilience and offensive firepower. Now the Trojans move one step closer to extending their dream run in Omaha, while Ole Miss heads home after a disappointing two-and-out appearance.
With momentum firmly on their side and an offense capable of scoring in bunches, Troy will look to continue its improbable postseason journey when it faces West Virginia on Tuesday with a spot in the bracket final on the line.
