Mike Bianco Announces Ole Miss Starting Lineup and Weekend Rotation
OXFORD, Miss. — The Ole Miss Rebels are fewer than 48 hours away from opening day, as the Nevada Wolf Pack travels to Swayze Field for a three-game weekend set beginning Friday.
Students returned to class Monday, with the rest of the town working toward regaining normalcy after being devastated by Winter Storm Fern. The campus had been shut down for two weeks following the storm that left many without power, some even today. But head coach Mike Bianco and the Diamond Rebels, who hosted their annual media day Tuesday, are ready to move on and begin the season.
Bianco is heading into his 26th year as the Rebels’ skipper. During his media day presser, he was excited about another opportunity to lead Ole Miss baseball. He addressed his depth and gave fans what they wanted: the opening-day lineup.
In no particular batting order, Rebel fans now know what to expect on opening day.
Here’s Mike Bianco’s 2026 starting lineup in the field:
C – Austin Fawley
1B – Will Furniss
2B – Dom Decker
SS – Brayden Randle
3B – Judd Utermark
LF/RF – Tristan Bissetta
CF – Hayden Federico
RF/LF- Daniel Pacella
DH – Collin Reuter
This well-rounded offensive staff also has a confirmed weekend pitching staff to go with them.
Friday: Hunter Elliott
Saturday: Cade Townsend
Sunday: Wil Libbert
Bianco also talked about some of his key pitchers guys coming out of the bullpen, specifically mentioning: Hudson Calhoun, Taylor Rabe, Walker Hooks, Landon Waters, Owen Hancock, Owen Kelly, Landon Koenig, Marko Sipila, Patrick Collopy, Grayson Gibson and Noah Allen
Ole Miss has depth that some believe could be better than their 2022 championship team as they head into 2026, looking to and possibly beyond a second-straight Oxford Regional.
However, that does not come easy in any season, especially this one.
Ole Miss is set to face a hefty schedule as they will compete in 30 games against preseason top 25 opponents, including their first nine, out of ten, SEC weekend series to be against preseason ranked teams, as well as a handful of non conference and mid week conference opponents as well.
Coastal Carolina- March 1
Southern Miss- March 10, April 14
Texas- March 13-15
Kentucky- March 19-21
Mississippi State- March 27-29, April 28
Florida- April 2-4
LSU- April 10-12
Tennessee- April 17-19
Georgia- April 24-26
Arkansas- May 1-3
Texas A&M- May 8-10
When asked about the upcoming schedule here’s what Bianco had to say.
“I think every year it’s really tough. Our league is hard and you can split it up and you pull out numbers and they have a lot more numbers now than they ever have, but it’s hard. You know our league’s hard and be careful what you wish for. A lot of people want to be in the SEC, be careful what you wish for. But it’s also, I think, it’s an honor, a pleasure, to be in that war every weekend, to play in a league where it matters, and not just at your place, but wherever you go, that they’re invested and they care about college baseball. And play against the best teams and in the biggest stadiums and nicest stadiums in the country. It’s pretty cool. So I I know our guys are excited about the opportunity.“
Mike Bianco
Ole Miss begins its quest for another playoff appearance on Friday as they host the Nevada Wolf Pack at 4 pm at Swayze Field. The Rebel Walk will be on hand and bring you all the coverage. Hotty Toddy!
Billy Kuhl
Billy Kuhl joins The Rebel Walk as a sophomore at Ole Miss majoring in Journalism with a Sports Media concentration. He is from Jefferson Township, New Jersey and graduated from Jefferson Township High School where he played varsity baseball, and soccer, and swam competitively in his summers. You can contact him at wpkuhl88@gmail.com or DM him on X @Billykuhll or instagram @Billykuhll_
