The University of Mississippi Athletics
Practice Report: Rebels Open Fall Intrasquads
9/27/2023 | Baseball
Smithwick, Mattox, Pitchers Shine as Ole Miss Begins Fall Practice
OXFORD, Miss. – The Road to Omaha has officially begun for the 2024 Ole Miss baseball team as Mike Bianco's squad opened its fall season last Thursday with the first of three intrasquad scrimmages on the weekend at Swayze Field.
The new-look Rebel squad features a host of new transfers and talented incoming freshmen joining the ranks, and Ole Miss fans had their first look at 2024 team this past weekend at Swayze. All intrasquad scrimmages and fall exhibitions are free and open to the public, so fans are welcome to come and catch an early glimpse every weekend through the end of October.
Read on to see which players showed out on opening weekend.
SMITHWICK SHINES
Campbell Smithwick comes in as the highest-rated prospect in the 2023 recruiting class to make it to campus. The Oxford, Mississippi, native was one of a handful of signees with MLB Draft prospects, and it hasn't taken him long to show why.
The freshman catcher led the team with a .800 on-base percentage and was second with a .677 average, notching three singles, three walks, an HBP and a home run in 10 plate appearances. He launched a 431-foot home run in Game 1, the team's first homer of the fall season, and while the bat showed promise, Bianco is just as excited about what he can do behind the plate.
"He's a guy who is super talented, not just from an offensive standpoint, but from a defensive standpoint as well," Bianco said. "I think that's one of the reasons he was such a high-profile recruit coming in. He's got a chance this year to help us both with his bat and his glove."
OPENING WEEKEND CYCLE
Smithwick wasn't the only newcomer to have a strong first weekend at the plate. Transfers Luke Hill, Andrew Fischer and Jackson Ross each hit over .300, while freshmen Drew Markle and Trenton Lyons each hit over .400, but none had a bigger weekend than Hudson Mattox.
The Grenada, Mississippi, native led all comers with a .714 average and completed the cycle with a single, two doubles, a triple and a home run, driving in three runs along the way. The former two-way star at Kirk Academy will also see some opportunities on the mound as the fall continues.
"He was an outstanding high school pitcher and hitter, getting the opportunity this fall to do both. Missed the first weekend pitching because of a tender arm but certainly made his presence known with the bat," Bianco said. "Excited that he got off to a good start."
EXPERIENCED ARMS
It was a low-workload weekend for all of the Rebel arms, as no pitcher threw more than 2.0 innings over the weekend. Even still, some of the more experienced pitchers found a way to shine through.
JT Quinn and Mason Nichols each posted scoreless appearances with Quinn allowing just one baserunner on a walk. Grayson Saunier and Xavier Rivas each yielded a run but led the team with five and four strikeouts, respectively. And though he pitched in a Rebel uniform for the first time, Coastal Carolina transfer Liam Doyle also showed some second-year moxie in his two scoreless frames.
"I'm excited this fall to see some of the guys who last year were first-year guys for us. It's so hard in our league to pitch, to play, but especially to pitch in your first year. But because of the circumstances, a lot of those guys were rushed probably ahead of what they should've been," Bianco said. "So to watch guys like Quinn, Saunier and Rivas, for those guys to return with one year of experience under their belt, you can just see the transformation in them physically, and just how they performed their first weekend, how confidently they threw the ball. Excited about their first weekend out on the mound."
ON DECK
Ole Miss returns to Swayze this weekend for intrasquad scrimmages Thursday at 2:15, Friday at 2:30 and Sunday at 5 p.m. All intrasquad scrimmages and fall exhibitions are free and open to the public.
For the latest updates on fall scrimmage dates and times, stay tuned to @OleMissBSB on X.
The new-look Rebel squad features a host of new transfers and talented incoming freshmen joining the ranks, and Ole Miss fans had their first look at 2024 team this past weekend at Swayze. All intrasquad scrimmages and fall exhibitions are free and open to the public, so fans are welcome to come and catch an early glimpse every weekend through the end of October.
Read on to see which players showed out on opening weekend.
SMITHWICK SHINES
Campbell Smithwick comes in as the highest-rated prospect in the 2023 recruiting class to make it to campus. The Oxford, Mississippi, native was one of a handful of signees with MLB Draft prospects, and it hasn't taken him long to show why.
The freshman catcher led the team with a .800 on-base percentage and was second with a .677 average, notching three singles, three walks, an HBP and a home run in 10 plate appearances. He launched a 431-foot home run in Game 1, the team's first homer of the fall season, and while the bat showed promise, Bianco is just as excited about what he can do behind the plate.
"He's a guy who is super talented, not just from an offensive standpoint, but from a defensive standpoint as well," Bianco said. "I think that's one of the reasons he was such a high-profile recruit coming in. He's got a chance this year to help us both with his bat and his glove."
OPENING WEEKEND CYCLE
Smithwick wasn't the only newcomer to have a strong first weekend at the plate. Transfers Luke Hill, Andrew Fischer and Jackson Ross each hit over .300, while freshmen Drew Markle and Trenton Lyons each hit over .400, but none had a bigger weekend than Hudson Mattox.
The Grenada, Mississippi, native led all comers with a .714 average and completed the cycle with a single, two doubles, a triple and a home run, driving in three runs along the way. The former two-way star at Kirk Academy will also see some opportunities on the mound as the fall continues.
"He was an outstanding high school pitcher and hitter, getting the opportunity this fall to do both. Missed the first weekend pitching because of a tender arm but certainly made his presence known with the bat," Bianco said. "Excited that he got off to a good start."
EXPERIENCED ARMS
It was a low-workload weekend for all of the Rebel arms, as no pitcher threw more than 2.0 innings over the weekend. Even still, some of the more experienced pitchers found a way to shine through.
JT Quinn and Mason Nichols each posted scoreless appearances with Quinn allowing just one baserunner on a walk. Grayson Saunier and Xavier Rivas each yielded a run but led the team with five and four strikeouts, respectively. And though he pitched in a Rebel uniform for the first time, Coastal Carolina transfer Liam Doyle also showed some second-year moxie in his two scoreless frames.
"I'm excited this fall to see some of the guys who last year were first-year guys for us. It's so hard in our league to pitch, to play, but especially to pitch in your first year. But because of the circumstances, a lot of those guys were rushed probably ahead of what they should've been," Bianco said. "So to watch guys like Quinn, Saunier and Rivas, for those guys to return with one year of experience under their belt, you can just see the transformation in them physically, and just how they performed their first weekend, how confidently they threw the ball. Excited about their first weekend out on the mound."
ON DECK
Ole Miss returns to Swayze this weekend for intrasquad scrimmages Thursday at 2:15, Friday at 2:30 and Sunday at 5 p.m. All intrasquad scrimmages and fall exhibitions are free and open to the public.
For the latest updates on fall scrimmage dates and times, stay tuned to @OleMissBSB on X.
This weekend at Swayze Field 👇 pic.twitter.com/GIKej6tAVj
— Ole Miss Baseball (@OleMissBSB) September 27, 2023
Players Mentioned
RHP
/ Baseball
LHP
/ Baseball
RHP
/ BaseballPRESSER | Mike Bianco & Luke Hill - Oxford Regional Final vs. Murray State (06-02-25)
Monday, June 02
HIGHLIGHTS: Baseball vs. Murray State_NCAA Regional (6/2/25)
Monday, June 02
Brayden Randle Hits First HR of The Season vs Murray State
Monday, June 02
Judd Utermark Sixth HR Of The Regional
Monday, June 02