No. 8 Ole Miss hosts UT-Martin today for their first midweek game of the season. First pitch is set for 4 p.m.
Coming off a sweep of TCU this past weekend, the No. 8 Ole Miss Rebels welcome UT-Martin for a midweek matchup tonight at 4 p.m.
The Rebels (3-0) will go with sophomore right-hander Sam Smith on the mound, who made nine starts for them in 13 appearances last season, posting a 2-3 record with a 5.80 ERA. Ole Miss head coach Mike Bianco said the Rebels were looking at different guys to start the game, but Smith eventually got the nod.
“I think it was two or three options, but I think we just thought he was the right guy,” Bianco said.
“For one, his experience, and two, some of the guys we want to try to leave in the bullpen and see if we can develop them that way.”
Smith said he is excited to get the start, but said he knows there will be a few nerves before the game.
“There are still going to be some nerves,” Smith said.
“But I won’t really know until I start warming up and getting on the mound, but I’m ready. Yesterday in class, I got a text from coach (Carl Lafferty) and found out then. It was good. I was excited to hear that.”
UT-Martin will go with sophomore left-hander Carter Smith on the mound. Last season for the Skyhawks, he made 16 appearances, seven of which were starts, earning three wins, which tied him for second on the team.
At the plate, the Rebels will be led by sophomore center fielder Auston Bousfield who went 5-for-11 on opening weekend and drove in a run.
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