Ole Miss Baseball Off to a Hot Start in 2022

OXFORD, Miss. — Ole Miss baseball is off to a hot start this season, sitting at 4-0 and ranked No. 3 in the nation in the most recent D1Baseball Top 25.

(Click here for SEC Standings)

In the Rebels’ four games thus far in 2022, they have only played a total of 29 innings as they’ve ten-run ruled opponents in three of those four games. Typically, after four games, head coach Mike Bianco’s squad would have played 36 innings.

If there is anything we knew for sure about this year’s team going into 2022, it is that they would likely knock the cover off the ball.

Thus far, that has been the case. Ole Miss has outscored its opponents 47-11 through the run-ruled, shortened four games. On the season, the Rebels are hitting .324 as a team, second in the SEC. They currently hold the No. 1 spot in on-base percentage (.477) in the league.

At the Plate

Here’s a look at the team leaders in hits, home runs, and RBI.

Hits

• Justin Bench – 5
• Kevin Graham – 5
• TJ McCants – 5

Home Runs

• Tim Elko – 2
• Kevin Graham – 2
• Hayden Leatherwood – 2

RBI

• Kevin Graham – 11
• Justin Bench – 6
• Tim Elko– 4
• TJ McCants – 4

On the Mound

On the mound, Ole Miss has seen a lot of new faces toe the rubber. Out of the 29 innings this season, 13 of those innings have been pitched by players who were not on the team a season ago.

Rebel pitchers are holding opponent to just a .186 batting average to go along with 41 strikeouts and 14 walks. The ace, Derek Diamond, threw four innings of two-hit, two-run and eight strikeouts in his first outing of the season versus Charleston Southern last Friday.

Here’s a look at the leaders in innings pitched and strikeouts:

Innings Pitched

• Derek Diamond – 5.0 (3.60 ERA)
• John Gaddis – 4.0 (2.25 ERA)
• Jack Washburn – 4.0 (2.25 ERA)
• Drew McDaniel – 3.2 (2.45 ERA)
• Dylan DeLucia – 2.2 (13.5 ERA)

Strikeouts

• Derek Diamond – 8
• Dylan DeLucia – 5
• Jack Washburn – 5
• Jack Dougherty – 5
• Mitch Murrell – 4
• Drew McDaniel – 4

Next Up

The Rebels host VCU this week with first-pitch times set for 4 pm on Friday and 12 noon both Saturday and Sunday.

The Rams are 2-2 on the season. The weather calls for more chilly weather — and beer showers — in Oxford this weekend so bundle up, Rebel Nation.

HOTTY TODDY!

(Feature image credit: Petre Thomas, Ole Miss)