Ole Miss Baseball Opens in Arlington: How to watch, start time, TV channel

Ole Miss this weekend is playing in the Shriner’s Children’s College Showdown for the second time. The Rebels swept TCU, Texas Tech and Texas back in 2021.

They’re opening with three ranked opponents, just as they did four years ago. Up first is No. 21 Arizona on Friday at 3 p.m. CT. Ole Miss veteran left-hander Hunter Elliott will take on Wildcat righty Collin McKinney. 

First pitch against No. 19 Texas on Saturday is 7 p.m. CT and features a matchup of Ole Miss RHP Riley Maddox and Texas LHP Luke Harrison. The Rebels will send veteran RHP Mason Nichols to the bump in their tournament finale Sunday at 2:30 p.m. CT. Ole Miss gets No. 15 Clemson and LHP Justin LeGuernic.

“There’ll be three different lineups throughout the weekend Friday, Saturday, Sunday,” Ole Miss head coach Mike Bianco said. Bianco is in his 25th season leading the Rebels. “The rotation can go up and down. Guys can move from bullpen to starter and same with the position players. 

“I think some of our guys are fortunate that are athletic enough and can play multiple positions. That’s going to give us an opportunity to find that best nine.”

RELATED: What will Ole Miss baseball’s starting lineup look like for season-opening trip to Arlington?

HOW TO WATCH

Television/Online: FloCollege
Play-by-Play: Brant Freeman
Analyst: Ty Harrington

HOW TO LISTEN

Radio: Ole Miss Radio Network
Play-by-Play: Gary Darby
Analyst: Brad Henderson

PITCH FROM THE ‘SIP

Elliott, Maddox and Nichols are all Mississippi natives and three of the last four remaining players from the 2022 title team. 

The trio was ranked among d1Baseball’s Top 150 starting pitchers. Elliott was No. 26, while Maddox was No. 62 and Nichols was No. 117.

Elliott is making his first appearance in nearly two seasons after Tommy John surgery. He was preseason All-SEC, the first Rebel since Jacob Gonzalez in 2023. He’s the first pitcher since Parker Caracci in 2019.

“For people who’ve followed Hunter’s career here, back in 2022, he won us a national championship averaging like 87 miles an hour,” Ole Miss hitting coach Mike Clement said. “He’s left-handed and there’s a ton of deception there. It’s a plus-plus change-up with a good slider. 

“He’s going to throw much harder, and you know everybody ticks up a little bit when you go to Globe Life and pitch against the University of Arizona. He looks super healthy. His biggest attribute is dude loves to compete and has never been scared in his life. We feel really good about where he’s at. He’s been great and looks strong.”

TRANSFER MADE

Transfers Mitchell Sanford and Isaac Humphrey were named to D1Baseball’s Top 100 Outfielders. Both are Top 11 in the SEC and among 10 transfers from Division l, Division ll and junior college.

Sanford came over from New Orleans and Humphrey from Louisville. D1Baseball has the pair in its Top 50 Transfer Impact Hitters and Top 35 outfielders.

“Just an incredibly mature kid with no ego,” Clement said of Humphrey. “Tries to deflect credit. He’s going have a hard time deflecting credit this year. Gonna have a really good year for us. He’s been our best offensive player thus far.”

Humphrey last season hit .311 with 14 doubles, 10 home runs and 40 RBI.

He slugged .563 and posted a .417 on-base percentage. He’ll start in center field.

Sanford is the reigning Southland Hitter of the Year and set for right. He was first-team All-Southland and hit .381 with UNO last season.

“He’s been really good,” Clement said. “Really athletic kid who can steal bases but also hit with power.”

Ole Miss brought Will McCausland over after two seasons at Saint Joseph’s. He was named to D1Baseball’s Top 85 Transfer Impact Pitchers. Ryan Moerman is an outfielder from Illinois. He was a two-time All-Big Ten second-teamer and played in 129 career games.

Alex Canney is a three-time All-American pitcher from Division ll national champion Tampa. Canney was a six-time All-South Region award winner.

The combined class of transfers and freshmen was ranked the No. 10 haul in the country by Baseball America.

The Rebels will host Arkansas State on Tuesday February 18 for their home opener at Swayze Field.