The University of Mississippi Athletics
Rebel Baseball Reports To Campus, 19 Newcomers Join Veterans
8/22/2005 | Baseball
Aug. 22, 2005
OXFORD, Miss. - The Ole Miss baseball team reported to campus over the weekend and 19 newcomers join the veterans returning from last season's record breaking campaign that saw the Rebels set a single-season win mark with a 48-20 record and advance to the Super Regionals of the NCAA Tournament.
The squad reported on Saturday and went through some team orientation and meetings with the coaches and support staff as the newcomers and veterans got acclimated to returning to school and getting into preparations for fall baseball and work for the 2006 season.
"We're excited about having everyone back on campus," said head coach Mike Bianco. "There were no surprises for us. Everyone reported and showed up on time. We're excited about the prospects as we get to work today to start following up our 2005 season with even more success."
Monday proved to be more orientation and adjustment for the team as the Rebels went through the first conditioning work for the season and met with more officials on the first day of classes.
A two-mile run in 14 minutes highlighted the days conditioning activity to welcome the squad back to campus. The Rebels then met with academic advisors for orientation with class schedules and course requirements. The weight room was the last stop of the day as the squad then lifted for the first time as a unit this season.
The only casualty for the Rebels off the signing class for the 2006 season was Scott Van Slyke, son of former Pittsburgh Pirate and Major League Baseball star Andy Van Slyke. The younger Van Slyke, who was drafted in the 14th round by the Los Angeles Dodgers, signed a contract in July to play for the major league team.
The Rebels will be looking to build on a 2005 season that saw Ole Miss claim a share of the Western Division title and advance to the championship game of the Southeastern Conference tournament. The Rebels continued on in the post-season as the fifth-seeded team nationally in the NCAA Tournament, hosting the second straight NCAA Regional and first-ever Super Regional.
