The University of Mississippi Athletics

Baseball Finishes Fall Signing Period By Inking Three More

11/16/2000 | Baseball

Nov. 16, 2000

OXFORD, Miss. - Ole Miss baseball concluded the early fall signing period with the signing of right-handed pitcher Ben Lindsay of Itawamba Community College, right-handed pitcher Al Simontis of Indian River (FL) Community College, and infielder Jon Swearingen of Chipola (FL) Junior College, head coach Mike Bianco announced Thursday. All three will be eligible in the 2001-2002 academic year.

Lindsay, 6-feet-3, 165 pounds, was 5-1 with a 3.96 ERA last spring for ICC, and was drafted in the 29th round by the New York Yankees in last June's Major League Baseball Draft. He helped Itawamba post 45 victories and earn a No. 1 national ranking at one point during the season. A native of Australia, Lindsey played for an Australian National Team that made two tours of the United States.

"Ben is a very talented pitcher should add immediate help next year," Bianco said. "We're excited to get a player of his caliber from the Mississippi junior college system."

Simontis, 6-feet-3, 195 pounds, went 8-1 last spring as a freshman for IRCC, earning All-Conference and All-State honors. He was also the Southern Conference's Pitcher of the Year.

"Al is an outstanding junior college pitcher that competes in a very tough conference," Bianco said. "He's one that we're excited about being here next year."

Swearingen, 6-feet-2, 190 pounds, concluded his freshman season at Chipola Junior College last spring. He attended Marianna High School in Marianna, Fla., and was a two-time All-State selection.

"Jon is a well-rounded shortstop for Chipola Junior College and should add tremendous strength to our infield," Bianco said.

The Rebels signed a total of 11 players during the fall signing period, including six from the JUCO ranks. Ole Miss inked six pitchers, two infielders, two catchers, and an outfielder.

Bianco was hired as the Rebels' new head baseball coach on June 7 after spending the past three seasons as the head coach of McNeese State. Bianco was 100-71 in his three seasons at McNeese State and guided the Cowboys to an appearance in the 2000 NCAA Regionals.

Ole Miss finished 30-25 last season to record its third straight 30-win season.

2000 OLE MISS FALL SIGNEES

PlayerPOS.HTWTHOMETOWN/SCHOOL
Kyle BatemanRHP6-3200Flagstaff, Ariz./Central Arizona C.C.
Josh GrantRHP/1B6-7215Hattiesburg, Miss./Hattiesburg H.S.
Alan HorneRHP/1B6-4175Marianna, Fla./Marianna H.S.
Ben LindsayRHP6-3165Queensland, Australia/Itawamba (Miss.) C.C.
Bryce MorrisonOF6-5235Austin, Texas/Tyler (TX) J.C.
J.R. PickensRHP6-1210Liberty, Texas/Blinn (TX) C.C.
Billy PorterC5-10175Hattiesburg, Miss./Hattiesburg H.S.
Jon RodriguezINF6-4210Plantation, Fla./Westminster Academy
Al SimontisRHP6-3195Sarasota, Fla./Indian River (FL) C.C.
Jon SwearingenINF6-2190Marianna, Fla./Chipola (FL) J.C.
Bobby WilsonC6-1215Seminole, Fla./Seminole H.S.
Baseball's New Faces - Daniel Pacella & Tristan Bissetta
Thursday, October 16
New Faces: Freshmen Pitchers
Friday, September 19
PRESSER | Mike Bianco & Luke Hill - Oxford Regional Final vs. Murray State (06-02-25)
Monday, June 02
HIGHLIGHTS: Baseball vs. Murray State_NCAA Regional (6/2/25)
Monday, June 02