We are doing a combined recap of Ole Miss' Saturday and Sunday's victories over Eastern Kentucky. They were both honestly pretty dull games. Eastern Kentucky was frankly just not a good team in any aspect and presented little challenge for the Rebels, who cruised to the sweep.
Riley Maddox was great on Saturday, striking out 5 through his five innings of work as he held the Colonels scoreless while allowing just three hits en route to the Rebels' 9-4 victory. Mason Nichols also looked more comfortable on Sunday, getting through 4 scoreless innings with just 60 some-odd pitches and striking out 5. The Rebs would go on to win it 9-3.
This Team is Better than Last Year
It is still early. It has only been seven games, and 4 of those against less-than-premier opponents, but I think it is safe to say this is a better baseball team than the 2024 edition of the Ole Miss Rebels. The pitching staff, in terms of top-end talent and overall depth of the bullpen, is leaps and bounds better than last season. The number of options that can be called upon to field a competent lineup is also 4 or 5 names deeper than last season. The depth of options will continue to pay dividends for this team as they push to return to postseason baseball.
Three Names Should be the First on Every Lineup Card
There is no longer a reason why Freshman Hayden Federico should not be an everyday player. He can play DH, 2B, or the corner outfields, as he flashed this weekend. Federico has led off in all his starts and is now a combined 8 for 13. He is an exceptional lead-off hitter who always puts together quality at-bats. He also might just be the most talented pure hitter on the roster. It is time to play the kid all the time.
Second is Luke Hill, who continued his torrid pace at the beginning of this season. He went 8 for 12 this weekend with his third home run and 3 RBIs. He has unlocked another level in his game and is taking on a leadership role for this ball club.
Finally, there is Ryan Moerman, who, if not playing DH, should man one of the corner outfield spots. In the words of Head Coach Mike Bianco, he has been on fire after a really bad fall since returning from Christmas break. His bat path looks elite, and he is probably this team's most consistent power threat. Hitting another home run this weekend and notching a few more RBIs.
Judd is still Judd
I had hoped that his performances against Clemson and Arkansas State would allow him to turn the corner and blossom into an elite, but we need to pump the breaks on that. He picked up just two hits this weekend while striking out a whopping 7 times. If he can convert all of his hits into XBHs, you can live with what seems inevitable: a high number of strikeouts. More alarming is that this rough weekend came against a terrible EKU team.
The Pitching Staff is Deep
New pitching coach Joel Mangrum is doing a fantastic job. It is refreshing to have a new face and new feel to pitching management, and it is clear that there is a clear plan for all of the arms on this team. All the starters were great this weekend, and it is very possible that Ole Miss could have the deepest rotation in the country. Outside of that, the bullpen has top-end talent and numerous options.
Brayden Jones, touching up to 99 MPH, was fantastic again in his one inning this weekend, striking out the side. Lefty Freshman Walker Hooks might safely claim the title of best freshman pitcher; he has been incredible in three appearances this season, striking out the side on Saturday. Sunday saw another great outing from Hudson Calhoun and better second showings from Sam Tookoian and Landon Waters.
I will eat some crow on Cade Townsend. He made his debut and wasn't great. He battled through some early command issues. But he responded with 2 Ks on nasty curveballs. It was then a weak basing clearing triple with two out; Collin Reuter at first base, I think, could have done better to make the play, which allowed three runs to score. He then responded with another strikeout. The stuff is there, but he might not be quite ready for a significant role; we will see how he develops over the year.
The Rebels are back at Swayze Tuesday evening to take on in-state rival Southern Miss.