After dropping two straight Southeastern Conference series in a row, the No. 17 Ole Miss Rebels sit at 23-6 overall and 4-5 in SEC play. Is it time to worry?
The Rebels have another tough matchup this weekend in No. 2 Vanderbilt. If Ole Miss wants to get back on track, it has to take this series, plain and simple.
If Ole Miss fails to claim another series at home, it is not the end of the world for this team.
The schedule, however, certainly doesn’t get easier with a non-conference matchup against rival Mississippi State at Trustmark Park in Pearl Tuesday and a three-game set this weekend against an Alabama team that is off to a fast start in league play.
The Rebels have time to turn it around, but they need to do it now.
When looking at this team, there is one spot that should and, I believe, will carry this team down the home stretch: starting pitching. Junior right-hander Bobby Wahl is the most important piece to the pitching puzzle.
If he is able to secure the win Friday, like he has done six times already this season, then Ole Miss is set up with the ideal situation as far as taking the series goes.
The pressure then falls onto the shoulders of junior right-hander Mike Mayers on Saturday and either sophomore right-hander Chris Ellis, who recently returned from injury, or sophomore right-hander Sam Smith on Sunday.
Mayers has had a somewhat shaky start, but if he can get things going along with a consistent arm on Sundays, the Rebels will have one of the best pitching staffs in the conference.
Junior catcher Stuart Turner and junior shortstop Austin Anderson are keeping the team alive at the plate, but other guys are going to have to step up in order for this team to be successful.
Senior left fielder Tanner Mathis is hitting .248 in the leadoff spot.
He has to find ways to get on base and score. Mathis is the catalyst for this team at the top of the lineup.
Also, guys like sophomore center fielder Auston Bousfield, sophomore first baseman Sikes Orvis and junior designated hitter Will Allen are going to have to drive in runs.
The production from these three is key since they are potentially the only power threats, aside from Turner.
While it’s not time to throw in the towel on Ole Miss baseball, there is cause for concern.
But if the guys mentioned play the way they have during their entire careers in Oxford, it could be a special year for head coach Mike Bianco and his squad.
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