CLARA TURNAGE | The Daily Mississippian
Ole Miss head coach Mike Bianco speaks during a press conference Monday.
Baseball season is finally here, and the Ole Miss baseball season kicks off Friday, as the Rebels travel to Stetson for a three-game series. Head coach Mike Bianco met with the media Monday for baseball media day.
Bianco is excited about the depth and toughness of the 2014 squad and hopes it carries over into winning some close games.
“We’re coming off a great fall and early spring,” Bianco said. “Practices and intrasquad games have been very competitive. One of the things we talked about this last summer and going into the fall — it’s kind of a mantra or catchword — is toughness.
“We’ve been so close to being a great team the last couple of years. Because of a pitch here or a play there, literally coming down to a game here or there. It hasn’t happened to us for one reason or another. The difference from the great teams is they make that one play. They make that pitch. They win that game that matters that puts you hosting a regional rather than playing on the road. That puts you in the upper echelon of your conference, of the Southeastern Conference where it’s so competitive.”
Bianco named junior right-hander Chris Ellis as the Friday night starter. Ellis went 1-2 with a 5.57 ERA last season. He was hampered by an abdominal injury early in the season, but Bianco is confident Ellis has the tools to be the top guy for this Ole Miss pitching staff.
“Chris is the most talented guy we have,” Bianco said. “He had a really good freshman year. Last year at this time, we were talking about him being the Sunday starter. It was hard for me to find him a role last year. Way into the season, we tried to rush him back. We tried him in some relief appearances. We just really never got him back on track.
“He had a terrific summer this summer in the Cape. It’s a guy that’s projected to be a first-rounder in the draft this coming June.”
Sophomore left-hander Christian Trent, a junior college transfer, and junior right-hander Sam Smith will start on Saturday and Sunday, respectively.
In the bullpen, the Rebels will be led by senior right-hander Aaron Greenwood. The Lewisburg native had a 2.66 ERA last season in 50.2 innings of work. Bianco said they haven’t labeled anyone a closer at this point, but Greenwood will be the go-to guy in the bullpen.
As far as position players go, Ole Miss has a lot of young guys to go along with a solid core of veteran players.
“Certainly, we have a lot of talented kids on the field out of that recruiting class that was ranked eighth nationally,” Bianco said. “As we enter the first weekend, we’ll see several of those young guys take the field for us, some of them in starting roles. Position player-wise, there’s a chance (of) two or three or four freshmen starting in the starting lineup over the first weekend.
“Really, when I look at it, it’s as good of a mix of newcomers and veteran guys than we’ve had in a long time.”
Freshman Errol Robinson will get the start on opening day at shortstop, according to Bianco. Junior college transfer Braxton Lee will start in left field and lead off. Freshmen Dalton Dulin (second base) and J.B. Woodman (outfield) will also be in the mix for a lot of immediate playing time.
As for the veterans, senior Will Allen will be back at catcher. Junior Sikes Orvis will hold down first base. Senior Preston Overbey will battle Dulin at second. Senior Austin Anderson will round out the infield, as he has made the switch to third base.
In the outfield, juniors Auston Bousfield and Will Jamison will man center field and right field, respectively.
For continuing coverage of Ole Miss baseball, follow @DavidLCollier and @thedm_sports on Twitter.
