Rebels Primed for Tourney-Earning Baseball Season

Looking forward to action on the diamond at Swayze Field

Each spring, fans gather with friends and family at Oxford-University Stadium, home of Swayze Field, to cheer on the Ole Miss Rebel baseball team. Over the past decade, baseball has become a way of life in Oxford, as the diamond Rebels made deep runs into the NCAA tournament.
Going to a game at Swayze field is an experience for all. The entire stadium takes part in the game. From onlookers in the stadium to fans surrounding the outfield wall, everyone plays their part in helping the Rebels win.
When a player hits the ball out of the park, the student section in right field tosses beer into the air. In the middle of the fifth inning, the players line the steps of the third base dugout and do hand motions to “Love is Gone” to pump up the team and fans.
The 2014 Ole Miss baseball season looks to improve on last year’s record of 38-24. Last season, Coach Mike Bianco became the winningest baseball coach in Ole Miss history, passing Jake Gibbs, after defeating Lipscomb University on March 9, 2013, by the score of 15-1.
The diamond Rebels are replacing members from last year’s squad who went into the professional baseball draft, including catcher Stuart Turner who was drafted to the Minnesota Twins, pitcher Mike Mayers who went to the St. Louis Cardinals and Friday night starter Bobby Wahl who was picked up by the Oakland Athletics.
This season’s schedule for the Rebels is loaded with competition within the top 25:
March 14-16 at South Carolina
March 21-23 vs. Missouri
April 11-14 at Mississippi State
April 17-19 vs. LSU
May 15-17 at Texas A&M
The Rebels have key position players returning this season throughout the lineup. Ole Miss has opened the 2014 season with a three-game series road sweep over Stetson on Valentine’s Day weekend and are now about to embark on a 13-game home stand beginning with Tennessee-Martin on Wednesday.
With the returning players and the electric atmosphere that energizes Swayze Field, the 2014 Ole Miss baseball campaign should be a magical run to host an NCAA tournament regional and, possibly, a super-regional.
— Adam Brown is the Sports Editor of HottyToddy.com