File photo: The DM
Ole Miss is slated to start the baseball season Friday, and head coach Mike Bianco is excited about the athleticism he sees in this year’s team.
“I think when you look around the field, it’s got to be one of the most athletic teams we’ve ever had,” Bianco said.
It was a frustrating year for the Rebels in 2015. Coming off of a trip to Omaha, Ole Miss did not return much experience and lacked depth, especially in the form of pitching. It cost them and was reflected in their 30-28 record.
“Last year one of our weaknesses was our pitching depth, and after a few injuries, that became quite evident,” Bianco said. “We just showed our lack of depth on the mound.”
That problem was fixed in the offseason— the Rebels signed 11 pitchers in 2015. Ole Miss returns junior right-hander Brady Bramlett to anchor the weekend rotation. Bramlett will take the ball in the opener on Friday afternoon.
“I’m thrilled to be in that position and I’m confident,” Bramlett said. “It will be a special year for our staff and our team.”
Juniors Chad Smith on Saturday and Sean Johnson will compliment Bramlett on Sunday, both of whom came to Ole Miss from community college. Neither has pitched in the SEC before, but have plenty of confidence from the Rebels’ ace.
“We’re in the toughest conference in the country. Anybody can beat anybody on any given day,” Bramlett said. “But I have no doubt in my mind those two guys will be successful. Honestly, anybody on our staff has the ability to step on the mound and get the job done.”
Experience will not be lacking this year in the field either; Ole Miss returns seven of nine starters in the field from a year ago.
“It seems like last year’s weaknesses may be this year’s strengths,” Bianco said “We’re as old and experienced as we’ve probably ever been as a position group.”
The left side of the Rebel infield will look the same as it did a year ago. The Rebels return Colby Bortles at third base and pre-season All-American Errol Robinson at shortstop.
“I think you always feel good when you return guys on the left side of the infield like Colby and Errol,” Bianco said.
Sophomore Tate Blackman will start at second base, and sophomore Will Golsan will replace Sikes Orvis at first. Blackman had high expectations even before his Ole Miss career began but struggled in his freshman campaign. Bianco, however, is optimistic he’ll rebound in 2016.
“Just a year ago I think we were up here talking about his preseason accolades before he even stepped on the field as a college baseball player,” Bianco said. “It was a tough year for Tate, but he’s swung it as well as anyone in the fall and early spring. I’m just very proud of him.”
The outfield to begin the year will feature juniors Connor Cloyd in left, J.B. Woodman in center field and senior Cameron Dishon in right field. Bianco said there will be several different outfield lineups to begin the year and said freshman D.J. Miller could see time in the outfield because of his strong offensive presence.
It’s an outfield that Bianco said reminds him a lot of the 2014 outfield with its speed and adds to the athleticism Bianco feels this 2016 team has.
As the season approaches, the experience this team has will be a luxury it did not enjoy a year ago, and that experience from a year ago also brings motivation.
“Last year didn’t end up how we wanted it,” Robinson said. “We still kind of feel that fire of losing so early in the regional. I feel like it’s kind of fueling us to be better this year.”
Ole Miss opens the season on Friday against Florida International at home. First pitch is set for 4 p.m.
