Road to Oxford: Andrew Mistone

Get to know your Diamond Rebs

By: Peyton Spear

pwspear@go.olemiss.edu

Peyton is a senior majoring in journalism at the Meek School of Journalism and New Media at Ole Miss. 

Photo by Peyton Spear

For some Diamond Reb players, the road to Ole Miss was not a straight shot.

Before heading to Oxford, senior third baseman Andrew Mistone began his college career elsewhere.

He has shined so far this season offensively and defensively and continues to make an impact, as the Diamond Rebs are (18-1) on the season and ranked #6 in the nation (per BaseballAmerica.com).

Mistone has found himself a long way from home. He grew up in La Verne, California, where he batted (.531) as a senior and had a (.988) fielding percentage playing third base.

For those who know, California is a very competitive state for not only high school baseball, but baseball in general.

Mistone put up amazing numbers and was not only named athlete of the year at Bishop Amat High School, but was a four-time All-CIF (California Interscholastic Federation) first team selection in the entire state.

It is the same team Jackie Robinson made when he played for John Muir (Tech) High School in the mid-1930s.

Following his career at Amat High School, Mistone played two years at Rio Hondo Community College. He helped his team win the league title (36-3) overall record and (22-2) record in conference play.

Astonishingly, Mistone led the California Community College Association in batting average hitting (.477) with an on base percentage of (.573).

Coming to Ole Miss last year as a junior with two years of eligibility, Rebel head coach Mike Bianco gave Mistone the nod at third base right away.

Although he struggled in his first year batting (.243), he only committed three errors the entire season at third base with a (.978) fielding percentage. It is worth noting that the three errors came in one game. He also started 60 of the 62 games he played in.

This year, Mistone has already matched the three errors that he committed last year but still has a (.939) fielding percentage.

Not including this weeks midweek road trip to Louisiana Monroe, Mistone has finally found his groove offensively, batting (.318) with 14 hits, 3 doubles, and 8 runs through 44 at bats. He has also started every game for the Rebels thus far.

Although he is only in his second year at Ole Miss, he has fitted in well with the team and has portrayed a veteran attitude, as a senior that many players look up to.

Matching their best start since 2004 at (18-1), the Diamond Rebs look to continue their hot streak as they hit the road again to take on the #11 Arkansas Razorbacks to open up Southeastern Conference play.