The University of Mississippi Athletics
Diamond Rebs Open Season Against Wright State Friday
2/16/2011 | Baseball
Feb. 16, 2011
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OXFORD, Miss. -- The Ole Miss baseball team enters the 2011 season coming off an eighth consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance, making the Rebels one of only 12 teams in the country to hold an active streak of eight straight appearances in the post-season.
The 2011 season will see the Rebels gunning for a ninth straight trip to the post-season - the 10th in 11 years under head coach Mike Bianco. That quest for the post-season begins this weekend when Ole Miss hosts Wright State in a three-game series at Swayze Field. Friday's season opener begins at 3 p.m., while Saturday and Sunday's games will be played at 1:30 p.m.
And, while most unfamiliar with the program might look at the roster and feel like Ole Miss has a lot to replace from last season, the Rebels enter this year with a healthy crop of players characterized by their head coach as a great mix of returning players and newcomers.
While the obvious place to start is with the loss of fifth-overall MLB draft pick Drew Pomeranz and fellow weekend starter Aaron Barrett, Bianco and the Rebels still return a crop of players tested by the rigors of the Southeastern Conference and hungry to maintain the program's success.
It starts with the offensive boost of returning the top two power hitters from last year's lineup and continues with three infielders who were regular starters a year ago. The Rebels also bring back several pitchers who have seen several innings of work in the Southeastern Conference - and while they might be changing roles - they still have experience pitching in the best conference in the country for baseball.
That combined with the influx of new players gives Rebel fans a lot to be excited about heading into the upcoming season.
PITCHING
One of the strengths of the pitching staff in 2011 will be the bullpen, as the Rebels return a pair of players who have proven their worth over the last couple of seasons. Right-handers Brett Huber and Jake Morgan return to the mound having both excelled in the role of closers and look to anchor the Rebel pitching staff this year.
Huber claimed Freshman All-America honors a year ago as he posted 12 saves - 11 of them against SEC foes - and finished the year one save shy of the single-season record set by three-time All-American Stephen Head in 2003. Huber posted a 2-0 record with a 3.54 ERA to go along with the 12 saves and struck out 54 batters while walking only 19. Batters only hit .216 against Huber last season.
Morgan returns to the lineup after missing the 2010 season rehabbing from elbow surgery in the off-season. The senior was a dominant force on the mound for the Rebels in 2009 prior to the surgery, posting a 4-1 record with nine saves and a 3.24 ERA as a closer. Morgan struck out 55 batters and walked only seven in his time on the mound, proving to be one of the most effective pitchers in the league with a .240 batting average against.
"(These guys returning is) part of the reason we like this staff," Bianco said. "To have two guys who can pitch, especially at the end of the game, and have had that role before is terrific. We've had the question so many years about who will be our closer, we've had so many times when we've not been sure who our closer will be, but this year we have two."
Other pitchers who can see time in the relief role for the Rebels are Trent Rothlin and Eric Callender, both seniors who saw at least 48.0 innings of work in 2010 and have experience in conference play, on the road and have post-season action under their belts.
Also returning for the Rebels are David Goforth, Matt Crouse and Matt Tracy - all of whom saw significant time on the mound a year ago. Goforth shifted into the role of Sunday starter for the Rebels and made 11 starts in his 22 appearances. A pitcher with great stuff, the right-hander has added a new pitch to his arsenal, leading the coaching staff to expect great things from him in 2011.
Crouse is one of those pitchers - along with Tracy - that is expected to get the opportunity to transition into a new role despite pitching more than 50.0 innings last year for the Rebels. Crouse posted a 5-1 record with a 3.74 ERA and a save last year as he worked as both a starter and a long-reliever. He also posted 60 strikeouts with only 21 walks allowed and held hitters to a .239 batting average.
"Matt was arguably our most consistent pitcher last year among the returning guys and is one who wasn't in a starter role, but got some experience in the SEC. He had a good summer playing in the Cape Cod League and a good fall.
"David picked up a new cut fastball this fall and has made him a different pitcher," Bianco said. "He's super talented and had some success, but had a difficult time in the starting role last year after a successful freshman year out of the bullpen."
Tracy is another pitcher who made both starts and relief appearances for the Rebels last season. Now a senior, the southpaw posted a 4-3 record with a save in 60.0 innings of work. The versatile athlete also brings an added dimension to the lineup with his ability to play the field and hit, providing additional weapons as a potential two-way player.
Several newcomers also look to make their mark on the Rebel pitching staff early, including a pair of junior college transfers in R.J. Hively and Austin Wright. That balance of returning pitchers plus newcomers has Bianco excited about the prospects for 2011.
"Part of you wants to say it's a good thing to have been here and understand what it takes to compete and be successful in our league, even though you may not have been in a specific role," Bianco said. "They've seen guys up close and what they are about. But that's not to say you can't have success in your first year. We've had our share of guys who have stepped in immediately and had success."
CATCHER
Behind the plate, the Rebels resemble a trio of catchers who helped Ole Miss claim the Southeastern Conference title just two seasons ago. That squad had three players who could fill roles interchangeably and this year's squad has drawn comparisons to that group from the head coach.
"This may be the most talented group we've had and really reminds me of the 2009 season when we had Brett Basham, Kyle Henson and Taylor Hightower behind the plate," Bianco said. "I don't know that we've ever had more talent than we have back there this season. Hightower is now one of the older guys and he's playing behind the plate with Miles Hamblin and a talented freshman in Will Allen."
Hamblin held down the catching duties at the end of the 2010 season after displaying his athleticism by playing multiple positions in the field - having played first base, caught and even pitched. Hamblin belted out seven home runs and 41 RBI a year ago, while Hightower hit more for average and boasted a 10-game hit streak as he helped the Rebels rattle off 10 straight wins, including sweeps of LSU and Mississippi State.
Allen joins the Rebels after a solid high school career at Buchholz High School in Gainesville, Fla., and competed with USA Baseball 16U National team in 2008 and was a two-time All-State selection.
INFIELD
Fans of the Rebels will notice familiar faces in the infield beyond just the two returning starters behind the plate. Matt Snyder returns to the lineup at first base for his junior season after turning in an outstanding sophomore campaign despite missing 20 games as he battled injury.
Snyder hit .347 last season and tied for the team lead in home runs with Matt Smith (who also returns) and tallied 40 RBI with a .653 slugging percentage. The 6-foot-6 power hitter also posted several games with multiple home runs as he helped drive the Rebel offense a year ago.
"Matt is back from shoulder surgery over the summer and looks great swinging the bat," Bianco said. "He looks more physical. It was a tough year for him last year and he really gutted it out for us."
Joining Snyder on the right side of the infield is sophomore Alex Yarbrough, who started 58 games at second base last season. Yarbrough turned in a solid inaugural campaign with the Rebels, playing solid defense and providing a spark to the lineup as he displayed an ability to hit for both average and power throughout the year.
The left side of the infield is where Rebel fans will find some new faces pushing for playing time.
A junior college transfer and true freshman will battle it out at shortstop to replace departed senior Kevin Mort. Blake Newalu joins the Rebels from Chipola Community College in Florida, while Austin Anderson also comes to the Rebels from the Sunshine State. Anderson played for Mount Dora High School and was named his team MVP with a .475 average and 81 RBI for his career.
"Both of these guys bring a little different game to the field. Blake is a super athletic player and very skilled with the bat," Bianco said. "Austin is also a very skilled defender who hits from the left side. I think he'll develop into a very physical player for us."
At third base, the Rebels expect to see big things out of true freshman Preston Overbey from the University School of Jackson. At USJ, Overbey helped his team to a pair of appearances in the Tennessee state championship and was an All-State selection as a senior.
"Preston had a very good fall and continues to get better and better," Bianco said. "He continues to impress defensively. We knew he would hit, but weren't sure where he would fit in defensively.
Also expected to factor into the mix in the infield is another true freshman in Gabe Woods. Woods comes to the Rebels from Albany, La., where he hit .517 with nine home runs as a senior last season and will provide another option for the young Rebels on the left side of the infield.
OUTFIELD
When looking to the outfield, Rebel fans will see a mainstay in the lineup in right field with the return of senior Matt Smith. The savvy veteran returned to the outfield last season after spending his first two years at first base.
A powerful arm is just one of the things Smith brings to the field with him, and the big senior is valued as much for what he brings to the field defensively as he does to the offensive side of the ball.
"Matt Smith is one of the best offensive players we've had in the program since I've been here," Bianco said. "He's been locked into the middle of the lineup for his four years here."
In centerfield, the Rebels will look to a sophomore and a senior to replace Tim Ferguson who was drafted by Kansas City following the 2010 campaign. Tanner Mathis looks to be a favorite for center after a second straight year of solid play in fall ball. But senior Jordan King could also be called on to bolster the position - or provide another option at any outfield position after transitioning from the infield a year ago.
"Tanner had another great fall where he hit over .400 and has done a terrific job at centerfield," Bianco said. "Jordan King also moved to the outfield and has added some depth for us out there and can help us at all three positions."
In left, Ole Miss fans can expect to see junior college transfer Zach Kirksey as a mainstay, with a unique blend of size and quickness that can help strengthen the Rebels defensively. The newcomer can also make a difference for the Rebels at the plate.
Senior Matt Tracy will also get an opportunity to continue his stint as a two-way player in left field as the Rebels look to get the left-hander more opportunities to bat in the 2011 season.
"Zach brings a great combination of power and speed to the position, Bianco said. "There is also a chance for Matt Tracy to get some more at bats and play some more out in the outfield."
OFFENSE
When talking about the chance for an exciting offense in 2011, the Rebels need look no further than the return of Smith and Snyder to start getting excited about the prospects for the new year. The duo anchored the power positions in the lineup a year ago, and according to Bianco it's easier to start crafting an offense when the answer of where you look for your power is already provided.
"Any time you're trying to build a lineup, it makes it easier when you know who your three and four-hole guys are going to be. That makes it easier to build around those guys. All of our guys around the field are offensive players, but I think having Smith and Snyder back will make it easier to build the lineup.
"Matt is one of the most underrated players in the SEC and is one of the best hitters we've ever had here in my 10 years," Bianco said. "His average has continued to rise and he hits for power. He does so much for the team and has been the team captain since his sophomore year. He's a guy who has already had three great years, but we look for him to have a fourth."
The Rebels don't look to just hit for power and average this year, but plan to take advantage of the ability to run the bases. Unlike last season, the Rebels don't have one guy who is an exceptional runner, but have shown the ability to run and steal from the top of the lineup to the bottom.
That's a trait that Bianco expects to see emerge in the offense in 2011.
"We run better this year than we did last year," Bianco said. "We don't have someone like Tim Ferguson or Jordan Henry, but all of the guys run very well. Even the big, physical guys run well…the catchers, Matt Smith and even Zach Kirksey who is one of the bigger guys, but is the fastest guy on the team.
"We have a chance to steal more throughout the lineup than we did last year."
