HottyToddy.com’s Daily Ole Miss Sports Roundup

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Photo courtesy of Ole Miss Athletics

A banner year off the fields and courts continued for the Rebels Wednesday, as 79 Ole Miss student-athletes were among a total of 1,240 student-athletes named to the 2016 SEC Spring Academic Honor Roll, announced by SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey.

The 2016 Spring SEC Academic Honor Roll is based on grades from the 2015 summer, 2015 fall and 2016 spring terms.

While breaking records and winning NCAA and SEC titles under first-year head coach Connie Price-Smith, the men’s and women’s track and field teams combined to place 35 on the honor roll, including NCAA Shot Put Champion Raven Saunders and first team All-Americans Craig Engels, MJ Erb, Dempsey McGuigan and Ryan Walling.

In addition to hosting an NCAA Regional for the seventh time in school history and winning 43 games for the fifth time, baseball had 10 players make the honor roll, including Ole Miss Hall of Fame inductee Brady Bramlett, who will take over as co-chair of the NCAA Division I Student-Athlete Advisory Committee in July.

It was a season of firsts for softball under second-year head coach Mike Smith. The team earned its first-ever SEC Tournament win, its first NCAA Tournament bid and won its first NCAA game, advancing to the regional final in Oklahoma. Adding to the historic campaign, 13 members of the team made the SEC Spring Academic Honor Roll, including pitcher Madi Osias who set the season record for wins (23).

Men’s golf, who led all men’s teams at Ole Miss with the highest grade point average (3.60) in recorded history, placed five on the list, including SEC Boyd McWhorter Scholar-Athlete of the Year, Forrest Gamble.

Women’s golf also had five on the honor roll, including co-SEC Scholar-Athlete of the Year for women’s golf, Abby Newton.

While earning their eighth straight NCAA appearance, and posting the third-highest GPA among all teams with a 3.51, five members of the women’s tennis team made the honor roll, including All-American Arianne Hartono.

Not only did they earn their 23rd consecutive NCAA appearance, but the men’s tennis team placed five on the SEC Spring Academic Honor Roll, including All-American Gustav Hansson.

The following criteria must be met to be named to the SEC Academic Honor Roll: (1) A student-athlete must have a grade point average of 3.00 or above for either the preceding academic year (two semesters or three quarters) or have a cumulative grade point average of 3.00 or above at the nominating institution. (2) If a student-athlete attends summer school, his/her grade point average during the summer academic term must be included in the calculation used to determine eligibility for the Academic Honor Roll. (3) Student-athletes eligible for the Honor Roll include those receiving an athletics scholarship, recipients of an athletics award (i.e., letter winner), and non-scholarship student-athletes who have been on a varsity team for two seasons. (4) Prior to being nominated, a student-athlete must have successfully completed 24 semester or 36 quarter hours of non-remedial academic credit toward a baccalaureate degree at the nominating institution. (5) The student-athlete must have been a member of a varsity team for the sport’s entire NCAA Championship segment.

Ole Miss Student-Athletes on the 2016 Spring SEC Academic Honor Roll:
Ole Miss – Sport – Major
Brady Bramlett – Baseball – Biology
Tate Blackman – Baseball – Criminal Justice
Brian Browning – Baseball – General Studies
Matt Denny – Baseball – Marketing
Cameron Dishon – Baseball – Accountancy
Brady Feigl – Baseball – Managerial Finance
Will Golsan – Baseball – Exercise Science
Henri Lartigue – Baseball – Accountancy
Nic Perkins – Baseball – Marketing
Chad Smith – Baseball – General Studies
Forrest Gamble – M Golf – Physics
Chris Ingham – M Golf – Managerial Finance
Josh Seiple – M Golf – Integrated Marketing Communications
Noah West – M Golf – Managerial Finance
Ben Wolcott – M Golf – Integrated Marketing Communications
Alison Hovatter – W Golf – Management
Sofia Idoyaga – W Golf – Marketing and Corporate Relations
Abby Newton – W Golf – Geological Engineering
Maria Toennessen – W Golf – Management
Katie Voll – W Golf – Geological Engineering
Bry Castro – Softball – Recreation Administration
Alyssa Clayton – Softball – Communication Sciences & Disorders
Haley Culley – Softball – General Studies
Alyssa Invergo – Softball – Psychology
Elisha Jahnke – Softball – Marketing
Natalie Martinez – Softball – Journalism
Dakota Matiko – Softball – Management
Paige McKinney – Softball – Communication Sciences & Disorders
Madi Osias – Softball – Managerial Finance
Bri Payne – Softball – Exercise Science
Melina Preciado – Softball – Communication Sciences & Disorders
Alex Schneider – Softball – Integrated Marketing Communications
Miranda Strother – Softball – Exercise Science
Zvonimir Babic – M Tennis – Economics
Grey Hamilton – M Tennis – Business Undeclared
Gustav Hansson – M Tennis – Managerial Finance
Ricardo Jorge – M Tennis – Economics
Robert Mounger – M Tennis – Accountancy
Mai El Kamash – W Tennis – Civil Engineering
Arianne Hartono – W Tennis – Psychology
Marija Milutinovic – W Tennis – Banking and Finance
Allie Robbins – W Tennis – Mechanical Engineering
Natalie Suk – W Tennis – Integrated Marketing Communications
Adam Aguirre – M Track & Field – Exercise Science
Marc Barnes – M Track & Field – Accountancy
Kevin Conway – M Track & Field – Exercise Science
Craig Engels – M Track & Field – General Studies
MJ Erb – M Track & Field – Accountancy
Derek Gutierrez – M Track & Field – Accountancy
Connor Harris – M Track & Field – Exercise Science
Brandon Harvey – M Track & Field – Accountancy
Julius Lembke – M Track & Field – Accountancy
Carl Lowe – M Track & Field – Pre-Pharmacy
Ryan Manahan – M Track & Field – General Studies
Dempsey McGuigan – M Track & Field – General Studies
Abraham Merinar – M Track & Field – Real Estate
Holland Sherrer – M Track & Field – Social Work
Ryan Walling – M Track & Field – Recreation Administration
Lyndsey Acree – W Track & Field – Dietetics and Nutrition
Mary Alex England – W Track & Field – Accountancy
Saga Barzowski – W Track & Field – Political Science
Emily Bean – W Track & Field – Exercise Science
Anna Braswell – W Track & Field – Geological Engineering
Shelby Brown – W Track & Field – French
Scarlett Fox – W Track & Field – Journalism
Kyla Lewis – W Track & Field – Exercise Science
Tavyn Lovitt – W Track & Field – English Education
Katherine Macneal – W Track & Field – Exercise Science
Mercedes Mattix – W Track & Field – Exercise Science
Katy McAuley – W Track & Field – Exercise Science
Racquel Moses – W Track & Field – Exercise Science
Nicole Park – W Track & Field – Accountancy
Madison Rawson – W Track & Field – Exercise Science
Raven Saunders – W Track & Field – General Studies
Bo Ummels – W Track & Field – Criminal Justice
Britt Ummels – W Track & Field – Criminal Justice
Arielle Wallace – W Track & Field – Art
Callie Watson – W Track & Field – Exercise Science
Leanne Zimmer – W Track & Field – Anthropology

Courtesy of Ole Miss Sports Information

THE CASE AGAINST OLE MISS: AMID SIGNIFICANT ALLEGATIONS, WILL THE NCAA FIND SMOKE OR FIRE IN REBELS’ FOOTBALL PROGRAM?

Photo by John Bowen

For nearly four years, NCAA Case No. 189693 trudged on without much notice outside of the state of Mississippi and college football circles. The NCAA’s investigation into the University of Mississippi’s athletic department includes allegations of academic fraud, illicit booster involvement and significant extra benefits in its football program. As the school shielded NCAA documents from public record and consistently downplayed the severity of the investigation, a veil of mystery hung over the case.

It remained that way until April 28, a day that should have been a celebratory one for the Ole Miss football program. Three Rebel players were projected to go in the first round of the NFL Draft that night, a triumphant coda to a successful recruiting class three years before. Instead, two stunning twists cast a shadow over the program and thrust the NCAA investigation of Ole Miss into the public conversation.

The first came 10 minutes before the draft. A now-infamous video of star left tackle Laremy Tunsil smoking marijuana out of a gas mask bong leaked out on his Twitter account (Tunsil later admitted it was him in the video but said it had been taken years earlier). Tunsil, the top tackle prospect and once a candidate to be the No. 1 pick, lost millions as he slid to Miami at No. 13 in the wake of the video going viral.

Courtesy of Pete Thamel and SI.com to read the rest of the article go to campusrush.com.

Baseball #ProRebs Update – 06.29

2015 Ole Miss Baseball

Ole Miss Baseball has a history of student-athletes playing professionally following their careers as Rebels. Currently, seven former Rebels are on Major League Baseball rosters, while 22 others are working their way up through the minor leagues. Throughout the summer, OleMissSports.com will update Rebel fans about the current #ProRebs making their mark on professional baseball diamonds across the country.

Here is a look at how the former Rebels are performing on the field during the 2016 season. For a complete look of season stats for #ProRebs, click here.

For the latest news and updates involving Ole Miss Baseball, follow the Rebels on Twitter at @OleMissBSB, on Facebook at Ole Miss Baseball and on Instagram at olemissbsb.
Major League Baseball Rebels

#30 Aaron Barrett | RHP | Washington Nationals
A reliever for the Washington Nationals, Barrett has yet to pitch in a game this season after undergoing Tommy John surgery last September. As he recovers from his surgery, he is on the club’s 60-day disabled list. Barrett has spent the last two seasons in the Nationals’ bullpen.

#8 Chris Coghlan | LF | Chicago Cubs 
After being named National League Rookie of the Year in 2009, Coghlan has remained in the Majors and for eight seasons. The former Rebel spent the past two seasons with the Chicago Cubs before the team traded him to the Oakland Athletics in February. However, he didn’t spend much time in Oakland. After 51 games with the A’s, Coghlan returned to the “Windy City” as the Cubs made a trade to get their prized utility player back. Since the June 9 trade, Coghlan has played in 17 games for the National League leaders, scoring nine runs. (VIDEO – June 27: Coghlan scores on a Jason Heyward single)

#2 Zack Cozart | SS | Cincinnati Reds
Cozart’s strong 2015 campaign was cut short due to a knee injury that required season-ending surgery. However, the former Rebel hasn’t missed a beat returning to the field as the Cincinnati Reds’ starting shortstop for the fifth consecutive season. In 69 games, Cozart is hitting .267 with 70 hits, 42 runs and 31 RBI. Among shortstops, he is one of the leaders in doubles (19) and home runs (11). Before the All-Star break, Cozart is already just four homers shy of his career high (15) set back in 2012. (VIDEO – June 27: Cozart starts a double play)

#31 Lance Lynn | RHP | St. Louis Cardinals
Lynn is another Major League Rebel that will be sidelined for the 2016 season. Like Barrett, Lynn underwent Tommy John surgery (November 2015) and is currently on the 60-day disabled list. As a focal point in the St. Louis Cardinals’ rotation for the past four seasons, the right-hander has started more games than any other pitcher on the team since 2012. Lynn is also the franchise leader in postseason appearances. (STORY: Lynn taking on a mentor role in 2016)

#13 Drew Pomeranz | LHP | San Diego Padres
Pomeranz spent the last two seasons with the Oakland Athletics before getting traded to the San Diego Padres last December. Returning to the National League where he began his Major League career in 2011, the southpaw has been sharp with a 2.76 ERA in 15 starts. Pomeranz is 7-7 overall, posting 102 strikeouts over 88.0 innings. In his last start, the former Rebel put together a memorable day on the diamond; not only did Pomeranz toss seven scoreless innings, but he also knocked in two of his team’s three runs at the plate to lead the Padres to a 3-0 victory over the Reds (June 25). Moreover, one of his hits was a solo home run, the second of his career, proving to be a pitcher that can hit as well. As a quality left-handed starter, Pomeranz has become a popular name in trade talks as playoff contenders look to improve their rotation. (STORY-June 25: Pomeranz has career day across the diamond in win)

#15 Alex Presley | RF | Milwaukee Brewers
Signing with the Milwaukee Brewers in December, Presley is with his fourth MLB ballclub over his seven-year career. After starting out on fire in Triple-A to begin the 2016 season, the former Rebel earned a call up to the Brewers (April 21). Since then, Presley has played in 47 games for Milwaukee, tallying 23 hits, 12 runs and 11 RBI. He also has three home runs to his credit. (VIDEO-June 15: Presley knocks in a run on an infield single)

#7 Seth Smith | RF | Seattle Mariners
In his ninth season as a regular in Major League Baseball, Seth Smith is hitting .258 for the Seattle Mariners. The outfielder has played in 66 games over his second season in Seattle, tallying 31 runs and 27 RBI for the club. He also has seven doubles and six home runs at the plate. Smith has split time in left and right field, making 52 starts between the two positions. (VIDEO-June 25: Smith makes catch, avoids fan)
Minor League Baseball Rebels

#16 Will Allen | 1B | West Michigan Whitecaps (Class A) – Detroit Tigers
Following an All-Star season as a rookie and member of the Connecticut Tigers, Allen continues to move up Detroit’s farm system. The former Ole Miss All-American catcher has also made the transition from behind the plate to first base. In 71 games with the Class A affiliate West Michigan Whitecaps, Allen is hitting at a .255 clip with 67 hits, 42 RBI and 21 runs. He also has 22 doubles to his credit, which ranks second in the Midwest League. Allen’s 42 RBI also crack the league’s top five among all hitters. (VIDEO-June 2: Allen goes deep for a solo homer)

#14 Austin Anderson| 3B | Delmarva Shorebirds (Class A) – Baltimore Orioles
Another 2014 All-American for Ole Miss, Anderson is in his first full season of professional baseball. In 24 games for the Delmarva Shorebirds, the third baseman has 18 hits and eight RBI. He’s starting to find his stride at the plate, recording at least one hit in four of his last five games, including a pair of multi-hit contests.

#9 Auston Bousfield | CF | San Antonio Missions (Double-A) – San Diego Padres
After spending the second half of the 2015 season with the San Antonio Missions, Bousfield has maintained his spot on the team this year. He has nine doubles and three home runs through 67 games, while also adding eight steals. One of three 2014 All-Americans from Ole Miss, the center fielder has been an important piece of the Missions’ defense. (VIDEO-May 22: Bousfield makes a diving catch)

#27 Matt Crouse | LHP | Toledo Mud Hens (Triple-A) – Detroit Tigers
Crouse has earned a promotion in each of the past two seasons and is now just one step away from the big leagues. Starting out the year with the Double-A Erie SeaWolves, the lefty was called up to the Toledo Mud Hens (May 26), Triple-A affiliate of the Detroit Tigers. In one month with the Mud Hens, Crouse has made six starts, posting a 2-2 record with a 2.45 ERA. In his last outing (June 24), the former Rebel pitched seven scoreless innings to earn a win over Syracuse.

#60 Chris Ellis | RHP | Gwinnett Braves (Triple-A) – Atlanta Braves
Ellis had an impressive rookie season in the Los Angeles Angels organization before he was involved in an offseason blockbuster trade that included Andrelton Simmons and Erick Aybar. Getting sent to the Braves, the former Rebel returned to the state where he spent his college career. Ellis started the 2016 campaign with the Mississippi Braves and immediately made a major impact for the team. In 13 starts in Mississippi, Ellis went 8-2 with a 2.75 ERA over 78.0 innings, which earned him the starting nod in the 2016 Southern League All-Star Game. However, the righty was called up to the Triple-A Gwinnett Braves four days before the game and instead left to pitch for his new team, one step closer to Major League Baseball. (VIDEO-June 7 Ellis records his fourth strikeout of the game)

#32 David Goforth| RHP | Colorado Springs Sky Sox (Triple-A) – Milwaukee Brewers
Goforth has spent the 2016 jumping up and down between the Milwaukee Brewers and the Triple-A Colorado Springs Sky Sox. The former Rebel pitcher was called up by the Brewers twice, making seven appearances for the Major League Baseball team. Currently, Goforth is with the Spring Sox, posting a 3.77 ERA in 22 appearances spanning 31.0 innings. He also has a 1-1 record and a pair of saves to his credit.

#40 Henri Lartigue | C | Williamsport Crosscutters (Class A Short Season) – Philadelphia Phillies
Less than a month ago, Lartigue was the Rebels’ leading hitter and a Johnny Bench Award semifinalist. Now, he has begun his professional career after getting drafted in the seventh round of the 2016 MLB Draft by the Philadelphia Phillies. As one of the newest Pro Rebs, Lartigue has only played in two games for the Williamsport Crosscutters, a team that had former Rebel Jacob Waguespack on its roster last season.

#18 Josh Laxer | RHP | West Michigan Whitecaps (Class A) – Detroit Tigers
Laxer missed the entire 2015 season due to injury, but he’s back this year as a member of the West Michigan Whitecaps alongside former Rebel teammate Will Allen. Laxer has made 16 appearances in 2016, pitching 23.0 innings and holding a 3.91 ERA. The right-handed reliever has not allowed a run in his last four outings (6.0 innings).

#15 Braxton Lee | CF | Montgomery Biscuits (Double-A) – Tampa Bay Rays
After helping lead the Charlotte Stone Crabs to a 2015 Florida State League Championship, Lee was promoted to the Montgomery Biscuits, Double-A affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays. The former Rebel has played in 59 games for the Biscuits this season as the team’s leadoff hitter. Last week, he went 2-for-4 with three RBI and one run to lead the team to a 10-9 win over Biloxi (June 24).

#66 Mike Mayers | RHP | Memphis (Triple-A) – St. Louis Cardinals
Injuries plagued Mayers throughout the 2015 season, but the former Rebel is back to full health and making a push for the Majors. After going 5-2 with a 2.30 ERA in nine starts for the Springfield Cardinals, where he became a Texas League All-Star, Mayers was promoted to the Triple-A Memphis Redbirds. In Memphis, he had started six contests, going 2-2 with a 2.65 ERA over 34.0 innings. Mayers tossed six scoreless frames to collect a win against the Iowa Cubs (June 19).

#9 Errol Robinson | SS | Ogden Raptors (Rookie) – Los Angeles Dodgers
The fan favorite and starting shortstop at Ole Miss over the past three seasons has decided to take his play to the professional level. Robinson was drafted in the sixth round of the 2016 MLB Draft by the Los Angeles Dodgers and is now a member of the organization’s rookie club, the Ogden Raptors. Through seven games as one of the newest Pro Rebs, Robinson has tallied six hits, four runs and three RBI. Last night (June 28), he smacked two doubles and scored two runs to help the Raptors win a 12-11 slugfest.

#55 Cody Satterwhite | RHP | Hanshin Tigers – Nippon Professional Baseball (Japan)
Satterwhite began the 2016 season as a member of the Salt Lake Bees, Triple-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels. The former Rebel was electric with the club, going 3-1 with a 1.80 ERA in 18 appearances that spanned 25.0 innings. He allowed earned runs in just two of his outings, recording 22 strikeouts and walking only eight. Having one of the best seasons of his professional career, Satterwhite decided to take his talents to Japan, signing a contract with the Hanshin Tigers.

#38 Chad Smith| RHP | Gulf Coast League Marlins (Rookie) – Miami Marlins
Selected in the MLB Draft for the second straight year, this time in the 13th round by the Miami Marlins, Smith decided his season at Ole Miss prepared him to make the jump to the pros. The former Rebel right hander was assigned to the Miami Marlins rookie league team, where has made two appearances (1.1 innings).

#29 Matt Snyder | 1B | Trenton Thunder (Double-A) – New York Yankees
Snyder is currently on the seven-day disabled list and has not played in a game since June 11. The 2015 season also featured nagging injuries for the former Rebel. In five games with the Trenton Thunder this year, Snyder has gone 4-for-19 with two RBI and one run. He also played in three games with the Tampa Yankees, hitting at a .500 clip.

#31 Matt Tracy | LHP | Jupiter Hammerheads (Class A Advanced) – Miami Marlins
Despite going 3-1 as a member of the Trenton Thunder, Double-A affiliate of the New York Yankess, Tracy was released and needed to find a new home to continue his professional career. It didn’t take long as he was signed by the Miami Marlins. The former Rebel southpaw made his debut for the organization last night (June 28), tossing 2.2 scoreless innings of relief to earn a victory for the Jupiter Hammerheads.

#32 Christian Trent | LHP | Arizona League Brewers (Rookie) – Milwaukee Brewers
A 2015 MLB draft pick of the Milwaukee Brewers, Trent has not started his 2016 campaign yet. Between the Arizona League Brewers and the Helena Brewers, two rookie league clubs for Milwaukee, Trent went 2-1 with a 4.04 ERA last season.

#30 Stuart Turner | C | Chattanooga Lookouts (Double-A) – Minnesota Twins
Turner is in his second season as the starting catcher for the Chattanooga Lookouts. The former Rebel catcher, the 2013 winner of the Johnny Bench Award, has played in 51 games this year for the Minnesota Twins’ Double-A affiliate. Turner has recorded 34 hits, 18 runs, 14 RBI, nine doubles and three home runs at the plate. Meanwhile, he’s thrown out eight baserunners behind the dish.

#15 Jacob Waguespack | RHP | Lakewood BlueClaws (Class A) – Philadelphia Phillies
Following a rookie season in which he helped the Williamsport Crosscutters capture a division crown, Waguespack was promoted to the Lakewood BlueClaws. The former Rebel has continued to look impressive, going 4-1 with four saves and a 3.40 ERA in 25 appearances. Waguespack has punched out 38 hitters through 42.1 innings out of the bullpen.

#28 Bobby Wahl | RHP | Midland RockHounds (Double-A) – Oakland Athletics
Wahl has been an effective reliever in his second year with the Midland RockHounds. In 20 appearances, the 2013 All-American has a 2.96 ERA and 30 strikeouts over 27.1 innings. Wahl is holding opposing hitters to a .215 average at the plate.  Through his last 10 outings, the former Rebel boasts a 1.69 ERA to go along with 14 strikeouts.

#18 Scott Weathersby | RHP | Lancaster JetHawks (Class A Advanced) – Houston Astros
Weathersby was a reliable reliever throughout his Ole Miss career, but the former Rebel has transitioned into a starting role for the Lancaster JetHawks, affiliate of the Houston Astros. Eight of Weathersby’s 13 outings have been starts. In 56.0 innings, he has recorded 40 strikeouts and holds a 2-4 record. In his full-season debut, Weathersby tossed six scoreless innings (April 13). (STORY-April 13: Weathersby gets hot in full-season debut)

#6 J.B. Woodman | OF | Vancouver Canadians (Class A Short Season) – Toronto Blue Jays
While he continues to earn All-America honors as the 2016 college baseball season comes to a close, Woodman has already started his professional career. After the Toronto Blue Jays picked the Ole Miss outfielder in the second round of the 2016 MLB Draft, Woodman signed with the club and was sent to the Vancouver Canadians. In his first seven games as a professional, the new Pro Reb has four hits, three runs and two RBI.

#10 Austin Wright | LHP | Mobile BayBears (Double-A) – Arizona Diamondbacks
Following a year of independent league baseball in 2015, Wright signed with the Arizona Diamondbacks for the 2016 campaign. He immediately made his mark with the Class A Visalia Rawhide, going 2-0 with a 0.46 ERA in 16 relief outings. Adding 26 strikeouts over 19.2 innings, the former Rebel earned a promotion to the Mobile BayBears, where he has a 3.18 ERA in 10 appearances. In a series against the Birmingham Barons last week, Wright pitched five innings over three outings without allowing a run to cross the plate.

#9 Alex Yarbrough | 2B | Arkansas Travelers (Double-A) – Los Angeles Angels
This season, Yarbrough has played in 67 games for the Arkansas Travelers, Double-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels. The former Rebel has tallied 69 hits for a .259 batting average to go along with 27 RBI and 26 runs. Yarbrough has also showed some pop at the plate to the tune of 15 doubles, two triples and two home runs. The second baseman is in his fifth year with the Angels organization.

Courtesy of Ole Miss Sports Information