Ole Miss Takes on South Alabama

February 27, 1999

Game #11; SATURDAY, February 27, 1999
South Alabama (5-5) at Ole Miss (5-5)
Oxford-University Stadium/Swayze Field; Oxford, MS

HEAD COACH PAT HARRISON
The 1999 season will mark head coach Pat Harrison's third season at the helm of the Ole Miss baseball program. Harrison has a 57-59 record at Ole Miss, and has an overall career record of 191-176-2 in seven seasons as a head coach at The Master's College (1988-90), Pepperdine (1995-96) and Ole Miss. The Rebels made significant strides in their second season under Harrison, posting Ole Miss' first winning record since 1995 with a 30-23 mark. Harrison coached two seasons at Pepperdine prior to coming to Ole Miss, and compiled a two-year mark of 69-38-1. He was named the 1995 West Coast Conference Coach of the Year after leading the Waves to the WCC title and a berth in the NCAA West Regional with a 36-19-1 record.

REBELS, JAGUARS TO MEET IN GAME TWO OF WEEKEND SERIES
Ole Miss and South Alabama will continue this weekend's three-game series with game two today at 11:00 a.m. at Oxford-University Stadium/Swayze Field. The early game time was set due to the Ole Miss-LSU men's basketball game at 2:00 p.m. at Tad Smith Coliseum. The two teams will conclude their three-game set tomorrow at 1:30 p.m.

SCOUTING SOUTH ALABAMA
Yesterday's loss dropped South Alabama to 5-5 on the season and snapped the Jaguars' mild two-game winning streak. It was also USA's first game since last Sunday when the Jaguars downed UAB, 10-5. Junior shortstop Seth Taylor leads the Jaguar-regulars in hitting with a .345 average (10-for-29). He went hitless in four at-bats in yesterday's contest. Senior third baseman Vinnie Hernandez is hitting .344 (11-for-32) and leads the team in home runs with two, hitting his second of the season yesterday for South Alabama's lone run.

SERIES NOTES
Yesterday's game marked the first meeting between Ole Miss and South Alabama since 1990 when the Jaguars swept a two-game series. The two schools have met 15 times on the baseball diamond and the Rebels are 5-10 versus South Alabama. Two of Ole Miss' five wins against the Jaguars came in the 1972 NCAA District III Tournament, where the Rebels came from the loser's bracket to defeat the Jaguars twice and advance to their fourth-ever College World Series.

TODAY'S STARTING PITCHERS
Junior right-hander Joey Cramblitt will be making his third start of the season today. Cramblitt is 1-0 with a 3.97 ERA in 11 1/3 innings of work this season. He earned his first win of the season in his previous start last Saturday versus New Orleans in the Winn-Dixie Showdown. Cramblitt worked seven innings against the Privateers, allowing two earned runs on five hits and a walk, and striking out two. South Alabama will be making a game day decision on its starter.

REVIEWING FRIDAY'S GAME
Ole Miss 4, South Alabama 1
Jude Voltz hit a three-run home run in the third inning and right-hander Jeff McAvoy tied a career-high with eight strike outs as Ole Miss took the first game of a three-game set with South Alabama, 4-1. Brad Henderson opened the third inning with a single to left and Chad Hill followed with a walk to set the table for Voltz. Willie Hernandez accounted for the Jaguars' lone run with a solo shot in the fifth. Craig Nugen made it 4-1 with a RBI single to score Michael Rosamond in the seventh. McAvoy pitched 7 1/3 innings, allowing the one run on five hits and no walks to move to 3-1 on the season. Justin Huisman got Brett Jackson to strike out with a runners on first and second to end the game and earn his third save of the year.

HARRISON VS. NON-CONFERENCE OPPONENTS
Yesterday's 4-1 win over South Alabama moved Ole Miss' record versus non-conference opponents under third-year head coach Pat Harrison to 38-20 (.655). Ole Miss is 5-5 this season in non-conference games, and went 17-8 in 1997, and 16-7 in Harrison's first year in 1996.

STREAKS AND SUCH

Dating back to last season, the Rebels have won 25 straight when leading after eight innings. Ole Miss was 20-0 last season when leading after eight innings of play and is 5-0 in 1999.
Sophomore RHP Justin Huisman is 3-for-3 in save conversions this season. His three saves also matches his total from last season when he led the Rebels in saves.
RHP Jeff McAvoy tied his career-high with eight strike outs in yesterday's contest versus South Alabama. McAvoy also fanned eight against Memphis last Feb. 28 in Millington, Tenn.
Ole Miss has an all-time record of 95-39 (.709) against teams that currently form the Sun Belt Conference (Arkansas-Little Rock, Arkansas State, Louisiana Tech, New Orleans, South Alabama, Southwestern Louisiana, and Western Kentucky).

The Rebels are 2-0 versus the Sun Belt Conference this season, having beaten New Orleans, 12-2, last Saturday at the Winn- Dixie Showdown, and South Alabama, 4-1 yesterday.

Head coach Pat Harrison has a 7-1 record versus Sun Belt Conference opponents in his two-plus seasons at Ole Miss.

ROSAMOND TIES NATIONAL MARK IN SATURDAY'S GAME VS. UNO
Junior OF Michael Rosamond set an Ole Miss single-game record and tied the SEC and NCAA single-game records by hitting three triples in last Saturday's game versus New Orleans. After singling in his first at-bat in the second and flying out to right in the third, Rosamond tripled in consecutive at-bats in the fourth, seventh and eighth innings. Ten different Ole Miss players had tripled twice in a game with current Arizona Diamondback David Dellucci the last to do so back in 1995 against Southern Illinois. Alabama's Ken Chapman recorded three triples against Samford in 1960 and Stuart Driscoll of Tennessee hit three triples against Carson-Newman back in 1975. The 1999 NCAA Baseball Record Book lists "many others" as being tied with three triples in a game.

THREE REBELS NAMED TO THE ALL-WINN DIXIE TOURNAMENT TEAM
Senior 2B Brad Henderson, junior OF Michael Rosamond, and junior 1B Jude Voltz were selected to last weekend's Winn-Dixie Showdown All-Tournament team. Henderson batted .615 in the three-day tournament, going 8-for-13 with four RBI. Rosamond set an Ole Miss school single-game record and tied the SEC and NCAA single-game marks by recording three triples in Saturday's 12-2 win over New Orleans. For the weekend, Rosamond went 5-for-14 with a double, three triples and a RBI. Voltz, a native of Metairie, La., went 7-for-12 in his homecoming weekend. Against Tulane on Friday in the tournament opener, Voltz recorded his first career four-hit game as he went 4-for-5 with a RBI.

ELEVEN TEAMS FROM THE 1998 NCAA TOURNAMENT HIGHLIGHT REBELS' 1999 SLATE
Ole Miss will face 11 schools this season that qualified for the 1998 NCAA Tournament, including College World Series participants Florida, LSU and Mississippi State. The other NCAA Tournament qualifiers from last year on the Rebels' 1999 schedule are: Alabama, Auburn, Arkansas, Baylor, SE Missouri State, South Alabama, South Carolina, and Tulane.

ROSAMOND, HENDERSON EARN PRESEASON ALL-AMERICA HONORS
Senior 2B Brad Henderson and junior OF Michael Rosamond have been named 1999 preseason All-Americans. Henderson, a second team All-SEC pick last season, was named to the third team Louisville Slugger Preseason All-America team by Collegiate Baseball newspaper, and Rosamond earned third team preseason All-America honors by Baseball America.

POSITION PLAYER THUMBNAILS

1- Brandon Skelton (Fr., C): Has appeared in one game ... saw his first career action last Saturday vs. New Orleans ... is 0-for-1 on the year ... redshirted in 1998.
Yesterday: Did not play.

2- Kris Cox (Fr., OF): Played in two games ... Saw his first career action last Saturday vs. New Orleans ... went 1-for-2 with a run scored ... used as a pinch-runner in Wednesday's game with SEMO ... a two-time All-State and All-Conference performer for Summit H.S. ... hit .501 with seven HRs and 47 RBI, and stole 46 bases in 48 attempts last season.
Yesterday: was used as a pinch-runner in the 8th.

4- Ryan Davis (Soph., INF): Has appeared in six games ... has no official plate appearances.
Yesterday: Came on to play SS in the ninth inning when Justin Huisman went to pitch.

5- Banks Robinson (Fr., INF): Played in three games ... is 2-for-2 on the season ... singled off of Baylor's Justin Taylor in his first collegiate bat last Friday ... transferred to Ole Miss after redshirting last season at the University of Florida.
Yesterday: Did not play.

6- Jude Voltz (Jr., 1B): A starter in all 10 games this season at first base ... is batting .343 (12-for-35) with a home run and six RBIs ... also has two doubles, a triple and has scored five runs ... hit his first HR of the season yesterday with a three-run shot in the third ... named to the Winn-Dixie Showdown All-Tournament team after going 7-for-12 in three games.
Yesterday: 1-for-3, HR, 3 RBI; started at 1B.

7- Burney Hutchinson (Fr., OF): Has played in six games, making two starts ... is 0-for-6 on the season... transferred to Ole Miss after redshirting last season at Mississippi State.
Yesterday: 0-for-1, BB; used as the DH.

8- Clint Farrar (Fr., INF): Has played in four games, making one start ... is 2-for-8 at the plate this season with a double and two runs scored ... made his first career start on Tuesday, going 1-for-4 with a run scored while serving as the DH ... a 1998 Clarion Ledger Dandy Dozen selection ... was a three-time All-Metro honoree and a 1998 All-State selection ... hit .429 with 10 HRs and 37 RBI last season for Clinton High School.
Yesterday: Did not play.

9- Adam Brown (Fr., INF): Has played in five games ... is 1-for-2 with a HR, a RBI and two runs scored ... homered in his first collegiate at-bat last Saturday versus New Orleans at the Winn-Dixie Showdown ... 1998 FACA All-Florida All-Star selection ... hit .394 his senior year with five HRs and 32 RBI at John I. Leonard H.S. in West Palm Beach, Fla.
Yesterday: Did not play.

10- Chad Hill (Jr., OF): Started in center all 10 games ... batted the first seven games in the lead-off start ... is 4-for-9 this week at the plate this week in three games to raise his average to .282 (11-for-39) ... has one triple and three RBI, and has scored seven runs ... is 1-for-2 in stolen bases.
Yesterday: 2-for-3, run scored; started in CF.

13- Alex Williamson (Sr., OF): Has played in five games, making one start ... is 3-for-6 with a RBI and a run scored ... had a pinch-hit single in the eighth inning of Wednesday's game ... went 7-for-17 as a pinch-hitter in 1998.
Yesterday: Did not play.

14- Craig Nugen (Jr., OF): Appeared in four games, making two starts ... is 2-for-7 with a HR, three RBIs and one run scored ...delivered a pinch-hit RBI single in the seventh inning yesterday ... hit his first collegiate HR last Saturday versus New Orleans at the Winn-Dixie Showdown, while making his first collegiate start.
Yesterday: 1-for-1, RBI; pinch-hit for Burney Hutchinson inthe seventh inning.

15- Carl Lafferty (Soph., C): Played in seven games, making five starts at catcher ... is off to slow start, batting .176 (3-for-17) with a double and two runs scored ... batted .353 this summer while playing part of the season for the St. Cloud Riverbats in the Northwoods League.
Yesterday: Came in to catch in the ninth inning.

16- Brad Henderson (Jr., 2B): An All-SEC and All-American candidate ... a starter at second base in all 10 games ... has batted in the lead-off spot the last three games after hitting in the No. 2 position the first seven games of the year ... is hitting .341 (14-for-41) with four doubles, a triple and four RBI ... has scored seven runs ... went 8-for-13 at last weekend's Winn-Dixie Showdown and was named to the All-Tournament team ... has four multiple-hit games this season, including three three-hit games ... picked up career hit No. 211 yesterday, moving seven behind Kyle Gordon (1984-87) for fifth-place on the Rebel career hit list ... is five runs away from tying Jason Huisman (1995-98) for third-place on the school's career list ... recorded his 40th career double on Wednesday to put him one behind Gordon and Chris Snopek (1990-92) for sixth-place on the Rebels' career list for doubles with 41 ... also ranks fourth on the school's career list for home runs with 29 and is eighth in career RBI with 116.
Yesterday: 1-for-4, run scored; started at 2B.

17- J.T. Harrison (Sr., INF): Has played in five games, making three starts at third base ... is 1-for-12 at the plate with a HR, two RBI and two runs scored.
Yesterday: 0-for-1; pinch-hit for Robert Shelton in the eighth inning and then came in to play 3B.

18- Michael Rosamond (Jr., OF): An All-SEC and All-America candidate ... started all 10 games in right field ... leads the Ole Miss regulars in hitting with a .410 average (16-for-39) with one HR and six RBI ... also leads the team in runs scored (11), hits (16), doubles (5), triples (3), slugging percentage (.769), and on-base percentage (.452) ... has a team-high five multiple-hit games ... went 5-for-14 this past weekend at the Winn-Dixie Showdown and garnered All-Tournament accolades ... set an Ole Miss school single-game record and tied the SEC and NCAA single-game marks with three triples last Saturday against UNO.
Yesterday: 1-for-3, run scored; started in RF.

22-Robert Shelton (Soph., 3B): Appeared in all 10 games, making seven starts at third base ... is hitting .280 (7-for-25) with two HRs, six RBIs, one double and four runs scored ... recorded his second career grand slam in the eighth inning on Feb. 13 at Baylor.
Yesterday: 0-for-3; started at 3B.

30- Justin Huisman (Soph., INF): Started all 10 games at shortstop ... is hitting .250 (9-for-36) with one HR, a double and one RBI ... has scored four runs ... hit his first HR of the year on Feb. 16 against Austin Peay.
Yesterday: 0-for-3; started at SS and came in to pitch in the ninth. .

33- John Massey (Soph., C): Has played in 10 games, starting nine ... has started five games behind the plate and four as the DH ... is hitting .333 (12-for-36) ... leads the Rebels in HRs with three and in RBI with 11 ... has scored six runs ... has four multiple-hit games this season ... tied an Ole Mis school record with three HRs at Baylor in the season-opener on Feb. 12, going 4-for-5 with six RBI and scoring three runs.
Yesterday: 0-for-4; started at C.

44- Chad Mead (Sr., OF): Has played in and started all 1o games this season ... has made eight starts in left field and two on the mound ... is hitting .275 (11-for-40) with a HR and nine RBIs ... also has three doubles and has scored nine runs ... opened the season with a career-long eight-game hitting streak.
Yesterday: 0-for-4; started in LF.

TODAY'S STARTING PITCHER

SATURDAY- #49 JOEY CRAMBLITT (6-2, 235, Jr.-1L, RHP)
Is making his third start of the year ... earned his first win of the season last Saturday against New Orleans, pitching seven innings and allowing two earned runs on five hits and one walk ... earned a no decision in his first start of the year at Baylor (Feb. 14), pitching 4 1/3 innings and allowing seven runs, three earned runs, on four hits and three walks ... has a 11-3 career record with a 4.28 ERA at Ole Miss.

Date    Opponent         IP  H   R   ER  BB  SO  2B  3B  HR  WP  BK  HBP Score   Dec.    Feb. 14 at Baylor (S)    4.1 4   7   3   3   3   0   0   2   0   0   1   10-15   NDFeb 20  New Orleans (S)  7.0 5   2   2   1   2   1   0   1   0   0   1   12-2    WTotals                  11.1 9   9   5   4   5   1   0   3   0   0   2   22-17   1-0

IN THE BULLPEN

8 Clint Farrar (Fr., RHP): Made his first career appearance Saturday vs. UNO at the Winn-Dixie Showdown ... pitched a scoreless ninth inning.

Last Relief Appearance: vs. New Orleans (2/20), 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 SO, ND
12 Glen Morris (Fr., LHP): Has made three appearances ... is 0-1 with a 6.75 ERA ... worked four innings, allowing three runs on four hits with a walk and one strike out ... named a 1998 USA Today Honorable Mention All-America and a 1998 Clarion Ledger Dandy Dozen.
Last Relief Appearance: vs. Tulane (2/19), 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 SO, ND
14 Craig Nugen (Jr., RHP): Has not seen time on the mound this season ... transferred to Ole Miss after two years at Canada (CA) JC ... helped Canada to an appearance in the California JUCO Final Four.
24 Nathan Lyons (Fr., LHP): Has appeared in one game, allowing one earned run on two hits and one walk against Baylor last Sunday ... struck out one ... a four-time All-Conference pick at Kennett H.S. ... selected first team All-State in 1998 and was named the Conference's Player of the Year.
Last Relief Appearance: at Baylor (2/14), 1.0 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 SO, ND
30 Justin Huisman (So., RHP): Has made three appearances and has converted on three-of-three save opportunities ... has picked up saves this week against SE Missouri State on Tuesday and South Alabama yesterday ... his three saves in 1999 ties his total from last season in which he led the team ... led the team in saves in 98 with three ... was 2-1 with a 2.08 ERA while pitching for St. Cloud this past summer in the Northwoods League.
Last Relief Appearance: vs. South Alabama (2/26), 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 SO, Sv.
32 Ronnie Goodwin (So., RHP): Has appeared in three games ... is 0-1 with a 11.12 ERA, yielding seven earned runs on 10 hits and one walk ... has recorded four strikeouts ... pitched three solid innings against Tulane this past Friday, allowing two runs on two hits and striking out three while suffering the loss ... three innings against the Green Wave was his longest outing of the season.
Last Relief Appearance: vs. SE Missouri State (2/23), 0.2 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 0 SO, ND
42 Joel Lyons (Fr., LHP): Has not pitched this season ... a four-time All-Conference pick for Kennett H.S. ... went 4-2 last spring with two saves ... also recorded 52 SOs in 30 IP.
43 Cooper Campbell (Fr., RHP): Appeared in five games ... is 0-0 with a 3.00 ERA in six innings of work, allowing three runs, two earned, on five hits and two walks while striking out six ... turned in his longest outing of the season on Tuesday against SE Missouri State, throwing 2 2/3 scoreless innings, allowing one hit and one walk, and fanning two ... was a three-time All-Gulf Coast Conference and All-District selection at Gulfport H.S. ... 1998 Mississippi High School All-Star.
Last Relief Appearance: vs. South Alabama (2/26), 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 2 SO, ND

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