As if getting acclimated to classes wasn’t enough for the new — and returning — baseball players, the 38 members of the Ole Miss baseball team are also going through team-related activities.Included in today’s various meetings were position meetings and the annual two-mile run.
Mike Mayers, a 6-foot-4, 190-pound freshman pitcher from Grove City, Ohio, and freshman infielder/pitcher Casey Greene of DeSoto Central had the two best times of the run at 12-minutes, 3-seconds and 12:08 respectively.
“It’s always exciting this time of year when you get everyone back on the field for the first time, especially this year with one of the most talented recruiting classes we’ve had here,” head coach Mike Bianco said in a release from the University. “We had eight players in this recruiting class drafted and six of them chose to come be Rebels and that’s very exciting for us. It’s also exciting when you realize we had some of our returning players drafted and they elected to come back for another season as well.
“The new players are energized and ready to get back to work and that carries over to the returning players who have recharged over the summer and are looking forward to another season at Swayze Field.”
The team will hold its first scrimmage on Sunday, Sept. 19, to kick off fall practice.
COOPER GONE: It was also confirmed today that left-handed pitcher Jordan Cooper has transferred to Walters State (Tenn.) Community College. As a freshman, Cooper had a 12.27 ERA, the highest on the team. In eight appearances, Cooper struck out 11 batters and walked eight.
WELL-EARNED HARDWARE: A defense affectionately named the Wrecking Crew would not be complete if it didn’t have several weekly honors to reward the players that back up the Wrecking Crew identity (there’s also an offensive lineman award…). After each game several members of the Water Valley defense are awarded a hard hat and sledge hammer for top defensive player, an Army hat for top defensive lineman, a Crunch bar for hardest hit and a lunch pail for the top offensive linemen. Below is a list of this week’s recipients:
*Hard Hat w/Sledge Hammer—Danny Smith
*Trench Warfare Army Hat—Smith
*Crunch Bar—Torrey Horton
*O-Line Lunch Pail—Tommy Lipscomb
Water Valley returns to action Friday to play Coffeeville at 7:30 p.m.
PATTERSON ENROLLS AT EMCC: According to WCBI.com, former Noxubee County standout and Ole Miss signee Pat Patterson has enrolled at East Mississippi Community College. As a freshman at Ole Miss last season, Patterson registered 12 receptions for 180 yards and one touchdown.
Patterson was dismissed from Ole Miss’ team in July. (August 23, 2010)
