Will Allen at the Plate for Impressive Senior Season

It took 60 games for senior catcher and first-baseman Will Allen to come up with his four home runs last season. He’s halfway there after only 11 at-bats in 2014, an impressive feat for any college baseball player.

Playing in the Southeastern Conference is a tough task. Year in and year out, SEC teams regularly host regionals, super regionals, or make an appearance in Omaha for the College World Series.
“The SEC is the greatest conference in college baseball,” Allen said. There is great competition and the best fans; every game is a dogfight. This is what we signed up for and why we came here.”
Allen, a Gainesville, Fla. native, graduated from Buchholz High School with above average stats as a first baseman and catcher. He lettered all four years, ending with a batting average of .465, 28 home runs, 103 RBIs, and scored 99 runs himself. Allen was a First Team Class 6A All-State selection twice.
Allen’s father was a collegiate football player. His father did not want him to play football due to risk of injuries.
“My dad played football at the University of Florida and kind of wanted to steer me toward something with less injuries,” Allen said. “First thing he ever got me was a catchers mitt and I grew up around it and love it.”
Allen was heavily recruited coming out of high school. He wanted to heavily impact a team when deciding on where to play college ball.

“I picked Ole Miss because of the community and atmosphere,” Allen said. “I wanted to make an immediate impact on the team wherever I went and Ole Miss gave me the best chance.”
Allen’s freshman year at Ole Miss he started in 28 of the 36 he played. The end of the season he ended with a .227 batting average with 10 RBIs, and four homeruns. His sophomore year Allen ended with .302 batting average with 24 RBIs and one homerun. At the end of his junior year, he hit .231 with 23 RBIs and four homeruns.
Entering his senior year, Allen was selected as a team captain for the Ole Miss Rebels.
“It’s an honor to be voted by my teammates and coaches, it’s been fun. It’s a privilege and I want to be a great ambassador for Ole Miss and the baseball program,” Allen said.
Allen said the relationships he’s made with his teammates and participating in regional play at Texas A&M his sophomore year are among his favorite moments as a Rebel.
As for after Ole Miss, Allen said he hopes to have the opportunity to continue playing ball.
“If I get drafted to go play, I’m going to take it,” Allen said.
Allen is looking forward to a promising future this season with the Rebels, with many more at-bats and, hopefully, more homeruns. Hotty Toddy, Will!
– Alex Rosado is a student in the Meek School of Journalism and New Media. He can be contacted by emailing alex.rosado91@gmail.com.