Rebel baseball team has advantage of experience

Chris Price
dm Staff writer

Skipper Pat Harrison is depending on his team's experience to lead to a second consecutive postseason appearance as the Rebels begin the 2000 season.

The Rebels, who return five full-time position starters and two weekend starting pitchers, are looking to return to postseason play this spring following their first regional tournament appearance since 1995.

"I think we have a good club coming back with a lot of experience," said Harrison. "We have a club with a lot of balance. We're going to have a lot of speed."

First baseman Jude Voltz, the team's top returning home run hitter, will assume the leadership role of an infield that lost only one starter. Junior Justin Huisman will return at shortstop, and sophomore Banks Robinson returns at third to secure the left side of the infield. Sophomore Clint Farrar will start at second, replacing All-American Brad Henderson.

In the outfield, senior Chad Hill and sophomore Burney Hutchinson will be matched by either sophomore Kris Cox or junior Craig Nugen.

The Rebs will look to its pitching staff, which led the SEC with a 4.56 ERA in 30 games last season, for ballast as they drive for another regional appearance.

Senior RHP Jeff McAvoy returns as the Reb's ace. Last season McAvoy had a 5-2 record in SEC play with a 3.59 ERA. Sophomore LHP Nathan Lyons, 4-5, 4.34 ERA in SEC play, will replace the injured Dan McShea as the No. 2 pitcher. Senior RHP Joey Cramblitt, junior RHP Ronnie Goodwin, sophomore LHP Casey Fuller and freshman RHP Brett Young will all compete for the third spot in the rotation. Junior Justin Huisman, who is tied for the Ole Miss career record in saves, could become the No. 3 pitcher, but will likely remain the team's closer. For the second consecutive year, the Rebels have been selected to finish last in the SEC West. It is a prediction that doesn't seem to bother them, however. Last season with six games remaining, the Rebs were vying for first place in the division. "I think it's gonna be a dogfight in the league," Harrison said, "especially in the West."

"I think last year's performance as a team was a big stepping stone," said McAvoy. "I think our team had a good showing. We weren't pushovers."

"The past couple of years we've been gaining confidence," said Huisman. "We can feel it in the locker room. We know we have a good team."

The Rebs square off against Nicholls State next Friday at 3 p.m. at Swayze Field.