Ole Miss Baseball: Rebels Begin Post-Season Today In Hoover

After an impressive 2018 regular season Ole Miss baseball will begin the post-season today in the SEC Tourney in Hoover against the Auburn Tigers.

Coming off a regular season ending series road win over Alabama the Ole Miss baseball picked up the SEC West title. The Rebels (42-14, 18-12) also picked up a No.2 seed in the SEC Tourney which began Tuesday in Hoover. Of course, with a No.2 seed in the tourney the Rebels received a first round bye and don’t begin play until today.

The Rebels will face Auburn who was the winner between them and Kentucky. The Rebels faced the Auburn Tigers in the regular season and earned the series sweep. The Rebels rocked the Tigers pitching ace Casey Mize in the series and though it was speculated they would see him today it was reported the Tigers would save Mize until Thursday.

The way the SEC tourney is set up for Ole Miss, it puts them in a very good spot. Given the history of success against Auburn in the regular season the Rebels couldn’t have asked for a better opening match-up. Of course, with the Tigers saving Mize for the elimination game, should Ole Miss win today, the Rebels hitters are licking their chops.

The Rebels Bats

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This has been the area of success which has steamrolled its way thru the regular season. There have been games where there were limited hits but for the most part that hasn’t been the case. While it is very important Ole Miss baseball to get hot and stay hot, they have been very good this season.

So far this season as a team the Rebels have been red-hot at the plate hitting .303 as a team. When you consider the opponents batting average is just .252 it shows the strength has at the plate and obviously a pitching staff. However, the Rebels hitters are very good.

Amazing Numbers

Junior Ryan Olenek leads the Rebels starters hitting .373 with junior Chase Cockrell sitting at .333. Freshman Tyler Keenan is hitting .321 while there are still 4 more Rebels hitting .299 or better. Of course, the Rebels have great hitters coming off the bench as well. Junior Michael Fitzsimmons is hitting an incredible .435 off the bench and that’s with 23 AB. Junior Tim Rowe has also hit well off the bench and is toting a .321 average into Hoover. Of course, we want to see the Rebels coming out swinging and they will.

Next: Better Than Expected...

Now We Wait

So far the SEC Tourney has been awesome with some great baseball teams there. However, there have been a number of delays and an extra inning game which have pushed most games beyond their regular starting times. There was a lightning delay this morning in Hoover which will most likely push first pitch for the Rebels beyond their set 1pm CT start. Good luck to coach Mike Bianco and the Rebels; we know Ole Miss baseball will be ready. Are You Ready? Hotty Toddy!