Coach Bianco offers positive news on potential return of pitchers Hunter Elliott and Riley Maddox
OXFORD, Miss. — Immediately following the series loss to Arkansas Saturday at Swayze Field, Ole Miss baseball coach Mike Bianco had some encouraging news regarding two of the Rebels’ talented pitchers, Friday night ace Hunter Elliott who has been out due to injury and reliever Riley Maddox, who underwent Tommy John surgery in May, 2022.
Elliott, the talented ace of the Rebel staff hasn’t pitched in a game since the 2023 season opener against Delaware due to a UCL issue. After that initial outing, Elliott went into a rest and rehabilitation protocol.
Elliott earned Freshman All-American honors in 2022. The star lefty made 20 appearances last season, including 12 starts, for the eventual national champion Rebels. He finished second on the team in ERA (2.70) and strikeouts (102).
After the game-three loss to the Razorbacks Saturday, Coach Bianco was asked about Elliott’s status.
“Good. He threw a bullpen on Monday and Thursday, full speed. Felt great. He’ll throw another bullpen next week and pitch some hitters live prior going to Starkville and just continue to progress.”
Coach Bianco on Hunter Elliott
Bianco also offered a timeline for Elliott’s potential return.
“If he continues to hit all his marks and feel good, I would think he’ll pitch that LSU weekend in some capacity.”
Coach Bianco on timeline for Elliott to return
Riley Maddox
Coach Bianco delivered more good news concerning the Rebels’ pitching staff following the Arkansas series, explaining that Riley Maddox, the highly-touted freshman pitcher from 2022, looks to be back with the team within a few weeks.
Maddox, a Jackson Prep grad, suffered a flexer strain and a strained UCL before ultimately undergoing surgery last year. He was not expected to return this season, so it’s certainly another welcome surprise today for the Rebels on the medical front.
Hit a big milestone in my recovery today. First 100% bullpen, felt great and ready to get back out there again! pic.twitter.com/8GzTHefjj4
— Riley Maddox (@riley_maddox1) March 28, 2023
“He’s been terrific,” Coach Bianco said of Maddox.
“They’ve (Riley and Hunter Elliott) kind of been on the same day so I get to see their bullpen’s together, or one after another. He’s looked great. Usually when they get to this point, it’s not about pain. It’s about rhythm and pitching. It’s more can they pitch and he has. He’s thrown all his pitches — fastball, slider, change. This week he was able to throw in the protocol a breaking ball at full speed. He’s looked terrific and looks like he’s on his way to being back and that should probably be at the very end of this month.”
Coach Bianco on Riley Maddox
Ole Miss will definitely look forward to potentially getting these two pitching stars back in the rotation. Stay tuned to The Rebel Walk for more updates.
(Feature image credit: Josh McCoy, Ole Miss)
David Walker
David Walker was named Louisiana’s High School Player of the Year at just 16 years old and, at 17, became college football’s first quarterback to earn Freshman of the Year honors. He remains the NCAA’s youngest-ever starting quarterback, a distinction that has stood for decades.
Transitioning from a wide-open high school offense to Emory Bellard’s renowned wishbone triple option, Walker excelled as a dual-threat quarterback. He graduated as Texas A&M’s all-time winningest quarterback and served as a two-time team captain, helping to transform a program that had endured 15 losing seasons in the previous 16 years.
After his playing career, Walker coached and taught algebra at six Texas high schools before moving into private business. In 2011, he published his memoir, “I’ll Tell You When You’re Good,” a title inspired by the coaching philosophy of Shannon Suarez, the Sulphur High and Louisiana High School Hall of Fame coach who was a significant influence on Walker’s life and career.
Walker’s compelling storytelling in his autobiography reflects the breadth of his experiences in high school and college football, and it is an undeniable fact that he saw more action than any athlete in the history of the NCAA. Since 2013, he has contributed to The Rebel Walk, sharing his insights and expertise with readers.
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