Ole Miss Baseball defeated UTM 8-2 on March 22nd, 2016 during the Fourth Annual School Day at Swayze Field in Oxford, MS Photo by Petre/Thomas
Mike Bianco has turned the Ole Miss Rebels into a college baseball powerhouse and Oxford has become a nearly perennial host site for the NCAA Baseball Regionals, so we’re just going to assume that you already know how the tournament works. If, however, you need a reminder about a thing or two, THIS article will get you back up to speed.
THE GAMES
Friday, June 4
Game 1: Florida State (30-22) vs. Southern Miss (37-19) – 2 PM – ESPNU
Game 2: Ole Miss (41-19) vs. Southeast Missouri State (30-20) – 7 PM – ESPN3
Saturday, June 5
Game 3: Game 1 loser vs. Game 2 loser, 11 AM
Game 4: Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner, 5 PM
Sunday, June 6
Game 5: Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 loser, 1 PM
Game 6: Game 4 winner vs. Game 5 winner, 5 PM
Monday, June 7
Game 7 (if necessary): Game 6 rematch IF Game 5 winner wins Game 6, 6 PM
THE TEAMS
No. 12 Ole Miss Rebels
41-19 (18-12 SEC)
Ole Miss is hosting its 10th regional of the Mike Bianco era.
Team Batting Average: .291
Team ERA: 4.48
Players to Watch
Jacob Gonzalez .354 12 doubles 10 HR 51 RBI
Kevin Graham .339 13 doubles 14 HR 31 RBI
Tim Elko .331 7 doubles 13 HR 44 RBI
Pitchers to Watch
Doug Nikhazy 2.18 ERA 9-2 114Ks 27 BB
Taylor Broadway 2.85 ERA 4-2 13 Saves
No. 20 Southern Miss Golden Eagles
37-19 (22-9 CUSA)
The Golden Eagles are making their 17th appearance in the NCAA tournament.
Team Batting Average: .271
Team ERA: 3.59
Players to Watch
Gabe Montenegro .330 21 doubles 4 HR 27 RBI
Reed Trimble .319 12 doubles 14 HR 58 RBI
Chris Sargent .224 11 doubles 13 HR 50 RBI
Pitchers to Watch
Ryan Och 7-0 1.47 ERA 2 Saves 40Ks 10BB
Walker Powell 9-2 2.53 ERA 79Ks 17BB
Hunter Stanley 6-3 2.42 ERA 119Ks 16BB
Florida State Seminoles
30-22 (20-16 ACC)
Florida State is 20-3 when scoring first this season. This marks the 43rd straight year the Seminoles have made the NCAA Tournament.
Team Batting Average: .245
Team ERA: 3.51
Players to Watch
Matheu Nelson .332 16 doubles 22 HR 64 RBI
Logan Lacey .296 12 doubles 7 HR 34 RBI
Pitchers to Watch
Parker Messick 7-2 3.32 ERA 121Ks 23BB
Conor Grady 5-2 3.90 ERA 93Ks 18BB
Southeastern Missouri State Redhawks
30-20 (17-10 OVC)
The Redhawks are the reigning Ohio Valley Conference Champions and the OVC Tournament Champions. This is their 4th NCAA Tournament appearance.
Team Batting Average: .272
Team ERA: 5.11
Players to Watch
Tyler Wilbur .389 11 doubles 6 HR 49 RBI
Jevon Mason .371 14 doubles 2 HR 22 RBI
Pitcher to Watch
Dylan Dodd 9-1 2.78 113Ks 14BB
