The University of Mississippi Athletics
Knight Ready to Write his Own Story
2/12/2015 | Baseball
Feb. 12, 2015
By Austin Miller, OleMissSports.com
OXFORD, Miss. -- One of five seniors on this year's team, catcher Austin Knight has patiently waited behind two Johnny Bench Award finalists in Will Allen and Stuart Turner, who won the award in 2013. Now, it's his time, and he's excited for the opportunity, but he's also appreciative of what he learned from his two predecessors.
"Those guys were two tremendous players in this program," Knight said. "What I learned most from them is not necessarily skill-based, but it's more of how to handle your business every day and how to bring it every day.
"Both of those guys also did a great job leading our teams those years and being a presence in the locker room, whether it was encouraging people, challenging people or competing with people. That's the biggest thing I learned from those two guys."
Allen has not only learned from playing behind Turner and Allen, but also from playing for a trio of former college catchers on the Ole Miss staff in head coach Mike Bianco and assistant coaches Mike Clement and Carl Lafferty.
Bianco, himself, has tutored 15 catchers that have gone on to sign professional baseball contracts, the most recent being Allen, who was drafted in the third round by the Minnesota Twins in the 2014 MLB Draft, so there's a premium placed on the position.
"There is a high expectation, not only for your performance, but also your leadership, getting the signals, being able to handle the staff, body language and all these other things we talk about," Bianco said. "That's one of the reasons why Austin will be starting on Friday night. Not only can he handle it behind the plate and catch the ball and hit for us, but he's our best option as far as leadership and doing all the things we need from that position."
A Louisville Slugger All-America selection in 2011 and a four-time state champion at Sumrall High School, Knight has mostly played in a supporting role his first three seasons with the Rebels, appearing in 74 games, drawing the start in 16 games.
Knight caught six mid-week games this past season, before starting two games behind the plate in the College World Series, an elimination-game win over TCU and a loss to Virginia to close out the season, as senior Will Allen moved to designated hitter due to a shoulder injury.
"Being successful in big spots like that will help your confidence, but I have always known I could play at this level," Knight said. "It's been a matter of opportunity. My confidence is as high as it's ever been, and I look forward to playing and getting out there this year."
His immediate predecessor, Allen, won the Southeastern Conference regular-season battle title last season, with a .359 average, crediting his ability to maintain his weight and remain consistent throughout the season. Stepping into a bigger role as the Rebels' everyday starting catcher, Knight shared similar sentiments, speaking to some of the areas where he needed to improve.
"You have to take care of your body, day to day, whether it's after a practice or after a game," Knight said. "You have to make sure you're eating the right stuff and drinking enough water. Mentally, it can be a grind on you, too. Every day, when you come out, you have to make sure you're bringing it. You have to be ready and you have to be mentally tough to compete, day in and day out, even if you're not in the lineup."
Knight is confident going into the season opener Friday against William & Mary, but just as important, he also has the confidence of his coaches and teammates.
"I was close to him last year, but Will caught the majority of my games," said junior left-hander Christian Trent, the Rebels' opening-day starter on the mound. "He's going to be fine. He's going to step up and take the place of Will. He has a good arm. He's really good at receiving the ball. As a pitcher, I'm already comfortable with him."
"We have great confidence in him," Bianco said. "We hope that them playing in the College World Series and having that type of experience on that type of stage is going to help him this year."
Austin Miller is a writer and blogger for OleMissSports.com. He joined the staff in June 2013 after serving as sports editor of the Daily Mississippian. Follow him on Twitter @austinkmiller
OXFORD, Miss. -- One of five seniors on this year's team, catcher Austin Knight has patiently waited behind two Johnny Bench Award finalists in Will Allen and Stuart Turner, who won the award in 2013. Now, it's his time, and he's excited for the opportunity, but he's also appreciative of what he learned from his two predecessors.
"Those guys were two tremendous players in this program," Knight said. "What I learned most from them is not necessarily skill-based, but it's more of how to handle your business every day and how to bring it every day.
"Both of those guys also did a great job leading our teams those years and being a presence in the locker room, whether it was encouraging people, challenging people or competing with people. That's the biggest thing I learned from those two guys."
Allen has not only learned from playing behind Turner and Allen, but also from playing for a trio of former college catchers on the Ole Miss staff in head coach Mike Bianco and assistant coaches Mike Clement and Carl Lafferty.
Bianco, himself, has tutored 15 catchers that have gone on to sign professional baseball contracts, the most recent being Allen, who was drafted in the third round by the Minnesota Twins in the 2014 MLB Draft, so there's a premium placed on the position.
"There is a high expectation, not only for your performance, but also your leadership, getting the signals, being able to handle the staff, body language and all these other things we talk about," Bianco said. "That's one of the reasons why Austin will be starting on Friday night. Not only can he handle it behind the plate and catch the ball and hit for us, but he's our best option as far as leadership and doing all the things we need from that position."
A Louisville Slugger All-America selection in 2011 and a four-time state champion at Sumrall High School, Knight has mostly played in a supporting role his first three seasons with the Rebels, appearing in 74 games, drawing the start in 16 games.
Knight caught six mid-week games this past season, before starting two games behind the plate in the College World Series, an elimination-game win over TCU and a loss to Virginia to close out the season, as senior Will Allen moved to designated hitter due to a shoulder injury.
"Being successful in big spots like that will help your confidence, but I have always known I could play at this level," Knight said. "It's been a matter of opportunity. My confidence is as high as it's ever been, and I look forward to playing and getting out there this year."
His immediate predecessor, Allen, won the Southeastern Conference regular-season battle title last season, with a .359 average, crediting his ability to maintain his weight and remain consistent throughout the season. Stepping into a bigger role as the Rebels' everyday starting catcher, Knight shared similar sentiments, speaking to some of the areas where he needed to improve.
"You have to take care of your body, day to day, whether it's after a practice or after a game," Knight said. "You have to make sure you're eating the right stuff and drinking enough water. Mentally, it can be a grind on you, too. Every day, when you come out, you have to make sure you're bringing it. You have to be ready and you have to be mentally tough to compete, day in and day out, even if you're not in the lineup."
Knight is confident going into the season opener Friday against William & Mary, but just as important, he also has the confidence of his coaches and teammates.
"I was close to him last year, but Will caught the majority of my games," said junior left-hander Christian Trent, the Rebels' opening-day starter on the mound. "He's going to be fine. He's going to step up and take the place of Will. He has a good arm. He's really good at receiving the ball. As a pitcher, I'm already comfortable with him."
"We have great confidence in him," Bianco said. "We hope that them playing in the College World Series and having that type of experience on that type of stage is going to help him this year."
Austin Miller is a writer and blogger for OleMissSports.com. He joined the staff in June 2013 after serving as sports editor of the Daily Mississippian. Follow him on Twitter @austinkmiller
Players Mentioned
All 49 of Judd Utermark's Record-Breaking Home Runs
Wednesday, May 13
PRESSER | Mike Bianco - UT Martin Postgame (5/12/26)
Tuesday, May 12
PRESSER | Judd Utermark - UT Martin Postgame (5/12/26)
Tuesday, May 12
HIGHLIGHTS: Baseball vs. UT Martin (5/12/26)
Tuesday, May 12