The University of Mississippi Athletics
Rebel Baseball To Hold Annual Red-Blue Game This Weekend
10/12/2005 | Baseball
Oct. 12, 2005
OXFORD, Miss. - Fans anxious to get a glimpse of the 2006 edition of the Ole Miss baseball team build on the excitement and enthusiasm of the 2005 season that saw the Rebels post a school-record 48 wins and win the SEC Western Division, will get that chance this weekend.
The Ole Miss baseball team will host its annual Red-Blue Game at Swayze Field on Saturday at 3 p.m., following the Rebels' football game against the Alabama Crimson Tide. The scrimmage will feature a split squad as veterans and newcomers will be divided into two teams.
Excitement has been high on the diamond through three weeks of fall baseball for head coach Mike Bianco and his team.
"It's been a good fall to this point," Bianco said. "It's always an exciting time to finish up with the Red-Blue scrimmage. With us playing Alabama that weekend, it's a good opportunity for our fans to continue that electric atmosphere and excitement from this past season, as they come out and see us prepare for the 2006 season.
"We have the eighth-ranked recruiting class in the nation, and are building on the success of last season," Bianco continued. "There are a lot of things for Ole Miss fans to be excited about as we approach another season of baseball, and we hope they will come out and join us this weekend as we continue to prepare for the upcoming campaign."
The 2005 season saw a series of firsts for the Rebels, as Ole Miss reached the 48-win mark for the first time in school history while claiming the Western Division title, the first title for Ole Miss baseball in 23 years.
Ole Miss also hosted its second consecutive NCAA Regional, defeating Oklahoma 20-5 in the championship game to claim the Regional title. The Rebels then moved on to host the program's first-ever Super Regional that saw Ole Miss take on eventual national champion Texas. The Oxford Super Regional was the most-attended regional of the year, and the championship game with Texas was the third-highest rated baseball broadcast ever for ESPN.
Ole Miss opens the 2006 season on February 17, with a three-game series against Saint Louis.