Ole Miss debuts at No. 9 in college baseball poll
OXFORD — With the Ole Miss Baseball season officially a month away, D1Baseball tabbed the Rebels No. 9 in their preseason top 25, the outlet released Tuesday morning.
It is the highest ranking in D1Baseball’s preseason poll in school history (poll is in its fourth year), and the second-straight season to appear in the top 10 of a preseason poll after Perfect Game had the Rebels No. 8 in 2017. Ole Miss is one of eight teams in the top 25, and one of five within the top 10.
Despite five players being selected in the 2017 MLB Draft, the Rebels return all but two players in their everyday lineup from last spring, led by seniors Will Golsan and Tim Rowe, and a plethora of experienced talent. Of the position players who started at least 24 games in 2017, eight of the 10 return to anchor an experienced defense in the field, and a veteran offense at the plate.
On the mound, arguably Ole Miss’ strongest point, the Rebels lost only one player who threw substantial innings — David Parkinson — a 12th round draft pick to the Philadelphia Phillies. Reliever Will Stokes returns as the lone senior pitcher, while the three Freshman All-Americans — Houston Roth, Will Ethridge and Ryan Rolison — are all back as part of a highly-touted pitching staff entering 2018.
Rolison and Ethridge are joined by three other pitchers who, all five, combined for 40 of the Rebels’ 57 starts in 2017. Dallas Woolfolk, a member of the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team, is back for his junior campaign as the shutdown closer.
Joining the experienced 20 letterwinners are a strong class of 14 newcomers, which includes four JUCO transfers and 10 standout freshmen.
Season tickets are currently on sale at OleMissTix.com. Ole Miss opens the 2018 season with eight-straight at O-U Stadium/Swayze Field, beginning with Winthrop Feb. 16-18.
For all Ole Miss Baseball news and information, visit the official athletics site OleMissSports.com. For more social media updates, follow the Rebels on Twitter at @OleMissBSB, on Facebook at Ole Miss Baseball and on Instagram at olemissbsb.