With Ole Miss softball’s season opener a mere 30 days away, the Rebels hit the clay at the Ole Miss Softball Complex for the first time in 2019 on Tuesday for the team’s initial spring practice.
Following a productive fall season and a much due holiday break, the Rebs got back down to brass tacks. After watching his team field grounders, throw bullpen sessions and hit the cages for the first time this season, head coach Mike Smith was pleased with the energy he saw.
“It was great to be back, I couldn’t sleep last night,” Smith said. “It was great to be outside for the first time for an opening practice in my five years here. The girls came back better than I thought they would, I was very pleasantly surprised with what we did and where we’re at. We’re much further along now than we ever have been. In 22 years of coaching, this is the best any of my teams has ever come back after a Christmas break.”
The fast start may come as a surprise to some, considering a large chunk of the roster is made up of players who are in their first season at Ole Miss. With nine newcomers being added to a talented crop of returns, the 2019 squad has come together quickly, says Smith.
“The transition has been seamless,” he said. “Kudos to our veteran players. They’ve done an outstanding job of bringing these kids into the fold, teaching them how Ole Miss plays and helping them buy into the process. They’ve all blended together. They love each other, they care about each other and they want to compete for each other. That’s what it takes to win.”
The Rebels will spend the month of January preparing for the upcoming schedule before jumping into game action Feb. 7-10 at the Friends of Jaclyn Tournament in Orlando, Florida. The Rebels will open the season against tournament host UCF in addition to games against Ohio State, Minnesota and George Mason.
Courtesy of Ole Miss Sports
