Previewing opening weekend for the 2025 Ole Miss Baseball team: The Shriners Children's College Showcase

Saturday at 7 PM vs #19 Texas Longhorns 

The first time these two will meet as SEC opponents should be fun. D1 Baseball has the Longhorns at 19th, but Baseball America has them up at 14th. 

I expect the Rebels to turn to Riley Maddox for this one. He was the Friday night guy for much of last season and ended his season with a gem in a losing effort to Mississippi State in the SEC tournament. He has the experience you want going against such a potent lineup. 

The Longhorns don’t have a true ace. Expect to see either Indiana State transfer Jared Spencer, who pitched to a 4 ERA in 9 starts in the Missouri Valley. Retuner Cody Howards, who had a 10 ERA last year but has looked much improved, or UTSA transfer Ruger Riojas, who has been more of a reliever in his career. It is possible we see former Rebel Grayson Saunier, but he doesn’t look to be in the mix for a starting slot and would come out of the bullpen. Again, I think the pitching advantage goes to the Rebels.

The Longhorns do boast one of the best lineups in all of college baseball. They are stacked with power 1 through 9, perhaps none more notable than Juniors Shortstop Jalin Flores and Outfield Max Belyeu. Flores slashed .340/.408/.658 with 18 homers last year, and Belyeu .329/.423/.667 with 18 homers. Both are expected to be top picks this June. They also return 12 home runs from Will Gasparino in the outfield, a slash line of .343/.420/.601 from 1B Kimble Schuessler, and bring in 2B Ethan Mendoza from Arizona State. This will be the best weekend lineup, and I don’t think the Rebs will have enough to silence them. They will have to score with them to have a shot in this one.