From the Diamond: TJ McCants ends emotional weekend with big return to Ole Miss lineup
When TJ McCants stood in the batter’s box in the bottom of the third inning on Sunday it was not even 24 hours after he and his family said goodbye to another loved one.
Over the weekend McCants was absent from the team for the first two games against No. 13 Maryland due to the loss of his grandmother. He went back to be with family to celebrate and say goodbye, flying back Saturday night to rejoin his teammates.
This roughly four months after McCants lost his mother to cancer. The Ole Miss outfielder has endured more than anyone should in that short of a span.
But in a show of true character McCants possesses he wanted to play in Sunday’s series finale against the Terrapins. He did so and returned in a big way with a three-run home run that was the finishing touches on the first of two seven-inning frames of the game.
“It’s been kind of a roller coaster,” McCants said of the last few days. “It’s kind of been up and down because I’ve been excited to get back up here and play. I just spent some time with family at home and they were able to make it a little bit better, being around people that I love.”
Top 10
- 1Breaking
Phil Longo Fired
Wisconsin announces firing of OC
- 2
AP Poll Shakeup
New Top 25 shows big fallout from Saturday
- 3
JuJu Lewis
Elite QB decommits from USC
- 4New
5-star QB flip
Texas A&M commit Husan Longstreet flips to USC
- 5
Coaches Poll
Big changes to updated Top 25
There was a little bit of a dust up when McCants made it back around home plate following the home run. When he touched home he turned back and had words with Maryland catcher Luke Shliger after the later took exception to McCants standing and watching the ball a tad too long for his liking.
Not much was going through McCants’ head after he hit it despite all the emotions he has experienced this weekend. But he did have a a Monday morning quarterback take to his reaction to hitting the home run.
“I may have done a little too much to be honest,” McCants said with a laugh. “I don’t if I’ll be doing that again, but it felt good.”
McCants was one of five Ole Miss players to hit a home run in Sunday’s game and one of three that resulted in multiple RBIs, leading to the 18-8 run-rule win.
Watch McCants, catcher Calvin Harris and head coach Mike Bianco’s full post game interviews below. Videos provided by The Ole Miss Spirit’s Jake Thompson.
