The University of Mississippi Athletics
INSIDER: Following Suit
2/20/2007 | Baseball
By Ben Garrett
OleMissSports.com Insider
Every year someone has to do it.
Throughout the years there have been numerous names of Ole Miss baseball greats, each of who have been deemed the “face of the team.” Stephen Head, Seth Smith, Chris Coghlan, David Dellucci, just to name a few, have all held this distinguished title, and this year is no different as junior shortstop Zack Cozart is prepared to take his game to the next level.
Referred to by head coach Mike Bianco as one of the best shortstops in the nation, Zack has started every year he has played for the Red and Blue, while being named to the Brooks Wallace Award watchlist for the nation’s top collegiate baseball player. But despite the preseason accolades, Zack understands what he has to do to help make the team even better.
“I just have to repeat what I have done the last couple of years,” said Cozart. “We already have a good enough team to where I don’t have to be the star every single game. I have to know my teammates are going to be there for me, and that makes it a lot easier out there.”
So far, Zack has helped lead Ole Miss to a 4-1 record in the early stages of the season with a 2-0 sweep of
“When you look at the stat sheet and you look at the bottom and you see Cozart and Henry, that’s encouraging because you know those guys will come around,” Bianco said. “Zack’s running well, he just doesn’t have a lot to show for it yet, but he’ll be fine.”
Following consecutive years that have seen the Rebels host Super Regional series, the efforts of this season look to echo the success of recent years, as the team vies for a much-anticipated trip to
“We’ve got to finish,” Cozart said. “We’ve felt the disappointment for two straight years, being one game away. That’s our motivation this year. We don’t want to feel that disappointment.”
Posting a .975 fielding percentage last year, Cozart was the league’s best fielding shortstop. Paired with team captain Justin Henry at second base, the tandem helped lead a Rebel infield that ranked 15th nationally in defense in 2006 (the duo helped turn 69 double-plays last year). Cozart feels that with this valued experience, this year’s version of the Rebel infield have the potential to be even better.
“Every time you get more experience up the middle like Justin and I have, it makes it that much easier with communication,” Cozart said. “It makes it that much easier knowing where everybody is going to be and what’s going to go on. I’m looking forward to this season and keeping it going.”
With his rise in popularity throughout his career at Ole Miss, Zack has found that the role of leader is much harder than he anticipated. Yet, despite the numerous accolades garnered over an impressive career, Cozart says he understands where he’s come from and has found a way to stay grounded both athletically and socially.
“It’s cool to have everyone talk about me like they have, but when it comes to gametime, you just have to let that stuff go away,” said Cozart. “It’s easier than you think to just put that stuff behind you and get in the zone and just think about baseball.”
Despite the team’s early success, Cozart believes there is still a lot of room for improvement.
“We’ve shown that our pitching staff is very good,” Cozart said, “We need to get them some more run support. Once we start doing that, this team will just keep rolling along with victories.”
Previous Insider Features:
Follow the Leader (February 12, 2007)
Snead Kicks off Rebel Signing Class (February 7, 2007)
