Diamond Rebel Sikes Orvis Named SEC Co-Player of the Week

Ole Miss baseball senior Sikes Orvis has been named SEC Co-Player of the Week, the conference office announced Sunday, May 17. The first baseman and team co-captain earns the accolade for the first time in his career after an impressive individual showing at Arkansas State as well as helping lead the Rebels to a victory over No. 6 Texas A&M.

Sikes Orvis during the Texas A&M series in Oxford.
Photo courtesy Joshua McCoy, Ole Miss Athletics

Orvis is the fourth Rebel to earn a weekly award from the conference office this season, including the second in as many weeks. Sophomore Wyatt Short earned SEC Co-Pitcher of the Week accolades last week, May 11. Scott Weathersby was named SEC Co-Pitcher of the Week, April 13, and Will Golsan collected SEC Freshman of the Week honors, March 23.

The Orlando, Florida native hit .400 in three games last week, registering nine RBI and a slugging percentage of 1.100. Orvis started the week by going 3-for-3 with a career-high eight RBI to lead Ole Miss to a 17-3 midweek win against Arkansas State in a seven-inning game. He hit two home runs, including his first career grand slam, to go along with a double and two walks in the non-conference win. Later in the week, playing in what could end up being his final game at Swayze Field, Orvis produced at the plate to help Ole Miss to a 7-4 win over the No. 6 Aggies. The senior smacked a double and drew a bases-loaded walk to knock in a run as the Rebels won their seventh game of the season against a top-10 nationally ranked team.

In his final season as a Rebel, Orvis has led Ole Miss at the dish with team highs in doubles, home runs and RBI. His 16 home runs are second in the SEC, while his 53 RBI and 17 doubles rank third and fifth, respectively, among all conference hitters. Orvis has hit seven home runs in the past seven games, including three multi-homer games, to bring his season total to 16, the seventh-most in a single season in program history. He now has 34 career home runs for 10th all-time in the Ole Miss record book.

Ole Miss ended the regular season with some momentum by winning six of its last seven games heading into postseason play. Orvis played a key factor in the Rebels’ victories, leading Ole Miss with a .481 average, 13 hits, 11 runs, and 17 RBI during the stretch. Nine of his 13 hits went for extra bases, including seven home runs.

Kicking off postseason play, Orvis and the Rebels will head to Hoover, Alabama for the Southeastern Conference Tournament. Ole Miss will be the No. 6 seed at the tournament and play in the single-elimination first round on Tuesday, May 19. The Rebels’ opponent will be the No. 11 seeded Alabama Crimson Tide. First pitch is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. CT.

Courtesy of Ole Miss Sports Information