Stokes Lands on Stopper of the Year Watch List

Today’s sports roundup also features SEC Announces Enhanced Security For 2017 Women’s Basketball Tournament, Rebel Soccer Releases Spring Slate

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Stokes Lands on Stopper of the Year Watch List

Ole Miss closer Will Stokes was named to the preseason watch list for the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) Stopper of the Year Award, members of the association announced Monday afternoon. Stokes became one of 60 pitchers on the watch list for the award given annually to the top relief pitcher in NCAA Division I Baseball.

Stokes is the second Rebel to earn a spot on the watch list in as many years. Last season, southpaw Wyatt Short made the preseason and midseason lists as the Rebels’ primary closer. With Short now in the professional ranks with the World Series champion Chicago Cubs organization, Stokes becomes the go-to reliever at the end of games. However, it is a role that he held at times throughout the 2016 campaign.
As a sophomore, Stokes tied a school record with 30 relief appearances throughout the season. That mark also ranked fifth among relievers in the Southeastern Conference. The Meridian, Mississippi, native went 2-1 with seven saves and a 2.93 ERA over 43.0 innings as a solid piece to the 2016 Ole Miss bullpen. The junior also recorded 40 strikeouts while walking just seven and holding opponents to a .228 batting average.
In his first two seasons as a Rebel, Stokes made 42 relief appearances and logged 85.1 innings. As a freshman, he spent some time in the bullpen but also served as the Sunday starter on several conference weekends. Stokes started six contests in 2015, while coming out of the bullpen on 12 occasions and collecting three saves. His first career win came against then-No. 1 Vanderbilt (April 11, 2015).
Stokes and the Rebels begin their season this week, hosting No. 6 East Carolina for a three-game series at Swayze Field, Feb. 17-19. As the Rebels gear up for the 2017 campaign, follow Ole Miss Baseball on Twitter at @OleMissBSB, on Facebook at Ole Miss Baseball and on Instagram at olemissbsb.
Courtesy of Ole Miss Sports

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SEC Announces Enhanced Security For 2017 Women’s Basketball Tournament

Fans attending the 2017 SEC Women’s Basketball Tournament in Greenville, S.C., will be asked to enter the event with clear bags and should be prepared to arrive early and to see a law enforcement presence in and around the Bon Secours Wellness, the Conference office has announced. The tournament will be held March 1-5.
The SEC strongly encourages fans not to bring any type of bags to the tournament, but bags must be clear or otherwise a small clutch bag to be allowed into the arena.
Gates open for the arena one hour prior to the first game of each day of the tournament to accommodate early arriving fans.
Bags must satisfy the guidelines below in order to be taken into the SEC Women’s Basketball Tournament:
Bags that are clear plastic, vinyl or PVC and do not exceed 12” x 6” x 12”
One-gallon clear plastic freezer bag (Ziploc bag or similar)
Small clutch bags, no larger than 4.5” x 6.5”, with or without a handle or strap
An exception will be made for medically necessary items after proper inspection at a gate designated for this purpose
Prohibited items include, but are not limited to: purses larger than a small clutch bag, coolers, briefcases, backpacks, fanny packs, cinch bags, seat cushions, luggage of any kind, computer bags and camera bags or any bag larger than the permissible size (12” x 6” x 12”).
Items that are typically carried in diaper or baby bags must be carried in a clear bag that meets the standards of the bag policy.
Fans may still bring items such as binoculars and cameras (with lens less than 4 inches in length), provided they are not in cases, as well as smart phones into each arena.
Working personnel, including media, will continue to enter the arena through designated gates where they will be subject to screening and bag inspections already in effect for the tournament.
Any fan who witnesses suspicious activity at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville should notify uniformed security personnel, or call (864) 241-3800.
The SEC is encouraging fans to arrive early and leave any unnecessary items at home or in their cars. Fans who bring any bag into the arena should anticipate being delayed for search.
For ticket information for the 2016-17 season go to OleMissTix.com or call the Ole Miss Ticket Office at 1-888-REB-TKTS (732-8587). For all Ole Miss women’s basketball news and information, go to OleMissSports.com, and follow the Rebels on Twitter at @OleMissWBB and on Facebook at Ole Miss Women’s Basketball. Fans can also follow Ole Miss women’s basketball head coach Matt Insell on Twitter at @minsell.
Courtesy of Ole Miss Sports

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Rebel Soccer Releases Spring Slate

The Rebel soccer team will play in six contests over the next couple months as part of its spring schedule, head coach Matthew Mott released Monday.
All but one match will be played in Oxford, and the Rebels will take on three SEC opponents this spring including LSU, Vanderbilt and Auburn.
The slate gets underway March 4 with a matchup against the Tigers of LSU at 1 p.m. at the Ole Miss Soccer Stadium. After a couple weeks off from competition, Ole Miss will host its annual Alumni Game March 25 at 7 p.m. in Oxford. For questions and to register, email Director of Operations Summer Ragsdale at ssragsda@olemiss.edu.
A matchup with rival Memphis awaits the Rebels on March 30 at 7 p.m., before they take on Samford a few days later on April 5 at 7:30 p.m., also in Oxford. The lone road test comes April 9 against Vanderbilt in a match that will be played in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. The Rebels’ spring slate closes April 22 versus Auburn at 1 p.m. in Oxford.
All spring home games are open to the public and free to attend.
Keep up with all the latest news and information on the Rebels by following Ole Miss Soccer on Twitter at @OleMissSoccer, on Facebook at Facebook.com/OleMissSoccer, and on Instagram at Instagram.com/officialolemisssoccer. Also follow head coach Matt Mott on Twitter at @CoachMattMott. Additionally fans can get a behind the scenes look at Ole Miss Athletics on Snapchat under the handle, @WeAreOleMiss.
Courtesy of Ole Miss Sports

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Questions about today’s sports roundup email adam.brown@hottytoddy.com.