The University of Mississippi Athletics
Rebels Picked Third In SEC West In Preseason Poll
2/17/2010 | Baseball
OXFORD, Miss. - The Ole Miss baseball team was picked to finish third in the SEC Western Division in a poll of league coaches, the conference office announced on Wednesday.
Ole Miss received 39 points, finishing behind LSU and Arkansas in the preseason poll after claiming the conference title a year ago. LSU was also picked to repeat as overall conference champions, edging out Eastern Division Florida by one vote - five to four.
The Rebels finished the 2009 season with a 20-10 mark in conference play and set the school record for SEC wins after being picked to finish second in the West in the preseason. Ole Miss advanced to a seventh straight NCAA Regional and fourth NCAA Super Regional in five years, coming within a game of the College World Series.
This year, the Rebels return several position starters off that championship squad including seniors Kevin Mort (SS), Zach Miller (2B) and David Phillips (OF), along with juniors Matt Smith (OF) and Tim Ferguson (OF). Also moving into the infield at first base is sophomore Matt Snyder, who started at designated hitter last season.
On the mound, the Rebels welcome back junior left-hander Drew Pomeranz who posted an 8-4 record a year ago with two complete-game victories and a career-high 16 strikeout performance against Western Kentucky to clinch the NCAA Regional championship. He garnered All-SEC honors and spent the summer as an ace pitcher with USA Baseball's National Team.
Also returning for the Rebels are several other pitchers with experience in the program, including seniors Aaron Barrett and Rory McKean, junior Matt Tracy and sophomores Kyle Barbeck and David Goforth.
Ole Miss opens the 2010 season on Friday at 3 p.m. against the Warhawks of Louisiana-Monroe at O-U Stadium/Swayze Field.
TIME CHANGE FOR SATURDAY'S GAME
Saturday's game time has been changed for the contest between the Rebels and Warhawks. Originally slated for a 1:30 p.m. start time, first pitch is now set for 2:30 p.m. to accommodate Ole Miss' home basketball game against Florida at 11 a.m.
RADIO COVERAGE FOR THE WEEKEND
The Rebels' games on Friday and Sunday can be heard locally on WQLJ-FM 93.7.5 locally in Oxford or online at www.OleMissSports.com. Saturday's game against the Warhawks will be broadcast on 105.5 FM locally in Oxford. Sunday's game will be on the full Ole Miss Radio Network.
