After six rounds....

Only 3 Rebels have been picked through the first 6 rounds of the draft. Lance Lynn was taken in the first round (compensation A) as the 39th overall pick by the St. Louis Cardinals, Cody Satterwhite was taken in the second round (67th overall) by the Detroit Tigers, and Scott Bittle was drafted in the second round (75th overall) by the New York Yankees.

Also of note, no Rebel signees have been drafted at this point....

Tune in tomorrow for more coverage...

And so it comes to an end.....

With the pommelling at the hands of Miami, the Rebels can finally stop not living up to the expectations that this season brought. We, as fans, can quit hoping that Mike's team can "get hot" at the end of the season.

As you remember, we began the season ranked #4, and we climbed as high as #2. After that, the season was full of nothing but disappointment. We got our lone conference sweep of the season with Vanderbilt followed that up by winning two at home against LSU. We were looking good, but we again cooled off.

We (and Mississippi State) did enough to sneak us into Hoover, and we did well there. We handled Georgia, out hit Kentucky, Bittled past Vanderbilt on our second try, and got whipped by the horrible people from Louisiana.

We faired well in the regional, and could we really have expected to beat the number 1 team in the country twice in a row? I don't think so, scooter.

You might say, "Brian Walker's Elbow, you surely did not write a lengthy, fun-filled recap of the season!" I say, get over it. Our season was not nearly as lengthy or fun-filled as I had wanted.

Post Season Awards from the Cup:

Defensive MVP: Brett Basham. He was a beast all year behind the plate and we would have been even worse without him. He was outstanding, and I know that he will be missed behind the plate (if he takes the money and runs). Also, I think Scott Bittle owes a lot of his success to Basham's ability to block up "The Thing."

Offensive MVPS: Logan Power (.329, 9 HR) and Cody Overbeck (.356, 17 HR). Logan was by far the most disciplined player at the plate, and he hit two grand slams this season. Even if he had a rough day, he would battle at the plate and come up with a clutch hit. Cody Overbeck usually came through, and he hit a lot of homeruns. Sometimes, he hit into double plays, but he was great in the 4 hole.

Pitching: Scott Bittle (1.78 ERA, 7-1, 70.2 IP, 130 SO). "The Bittler" was absolutely amazing all season. After last season's debacle, he fought back and became a dynamic closer. Typically, a closer only has 3 pitches. Scott has developed a change-up during the off-season to add to his fastball, slider, and "thing." He finished the season leading the country in strikouts per nine innings, and he was absolutely clutch.

Most Improved: I feel like many of our players improved throughout the offseason. Logan Power had a higher average. Overbeck had a higher average, more homeruns, and was much better on defense. However, the most improved award goes to Scott Bittle. From a kid that choked last year every time he was on the mound in a pressure situation to the best strikeout pitcher we will ever see at Ole Miss.

We Miss Zach Cozart Award: Sean Stuyverson (12 ER) and Tim Ferguson (14 ER). You might not think that is a lot of errors, but keep in mind they split time. 'Nuff said

The IF we made it to a Super Regional, I would have set the national record for strikeouts Award: Matt Smith (80 SO).

Mark Wright Memorial Award: Michael Guerrero. Seriously, 7 homeruns in the last 8 games of the season? Sounds familiar.....

Why didn't you pitch more often? Award: Justin Cryer (1.35 ERA, 33.1 IP).

Kind of a let-down Award: Lance Lynn (4.52 ERA). He started out the season on fire, and he really struggled down the stretch. You cannot help but wonder about him maybe being injured because he was simply better as a sophomore.

Really a really big let-down Award: Cody Satterwhite (5.33 ERA). I know his mommy and daddy get upset when he is criticized. However, I cannot help it. He and Lance were supposed to be a big part of getting us to Omaha, and Cody only had two good performances.

Nice Surprise from a Freshman: Drew Pomeranz. (4.16 ERA). He stepped in a did an admirable job as Saturday guy in the rotation. Also, he was recently recognized as a Freshman All-American.

Got a lot better in the off season: Fuller Smith. (.332, 7 HR). I didn't want to give him most improved, but he did contribute greatly to this years team.

Up next for the Cup, we will follow the draft tomorrow. More than likely, we will let you know later tomorrow night due to jobs and things of that nature.

Don't blame Larry Templeton

Many posters on scout and rivals blame Larry Templeton for our regional draw. As you already know, we are going to face off against Missouri on Friday. If we win, we will play the winner of Miami and Bethune Cookman. Yes, this has to be the toughest regional in the country, but Larry Templeton (chair of selection committee and former AD at Mittittippi Tate) is not to blame.

For example, some posters on OMSPIRIT are upset:


Rebelinsured
"Screw dhed Templeton as there is NO doubt
his influence on our position this year and years past but this is the IDIOT'S last year and what better way than to stick it up his by winning the regional. Templeton hates Ole Miss and our AD has his head worried about pennies so that is why we continue to get screwed in the baseball seedings.......... Win the regional and tell Larry to &^%# %^$ as he is gone............ JMO ps---msuX screwed up by firing him........oajmho"

PositiveReb
Re: Screw dhed Templeton as there is NO doubt
"Remember, Pat Murphy also has a vote. So he and LT are probably in cahoots."

Instead of blaming the coach of this years team for our poor play and horrid performance at times, some Rebel fans want to lash out at selection committee members and coaches of other programs. Want to hold someone accountable, let it be Mike Bianco.

SEC Record over past 5 seasons:
2005: 18-12
2006: 17-13
2007: 16-14
2008: 15-15

We are getting worse every year!

Mike, you mean to tell me that your most talented team ever was a .500 team in the SEC?

So, if you are upset about our regional draw, get over yourself. If we wanted a regional, we should have played better and hosted our own.

Shame on you, Mike Bianco.

I still hate you Mike Bianco

Saturday's game was a complete tease. The back and forth was almost unbearable. This is how bad it was: I almost though Cody Satterwhite was a good pitcher. Then, the collapse happened. That is the thing about Cody. He looks great for three innings, but then he collapses.

I'll agree with The Ghost of Jay Cutler's assessment. If Bittle's Saturday performance was not enough to prove his worthiness for the Ferris Award, I do not know what is. If I had a vote, The Bittler would get the award hands down.

I'm very proud of Scott. He has fought back after a very tough 2007 campaign. I think he should start our Wednesday game versus Georgia.

Here's the tournament bracket:

Session 1

(2) LSU versus (7) USC at 11:00

(3) Florida versus (6) Vanderbilt at 1:00

Session 2

(1) Georgia versus (8) Ole Miss at 5:00

(4) Kentucky versus (5) Alabama at 8:00

Of course, the losers of session 1 play the next day. The winners of session 1 play the following day. The same is true for the other session as well.

Come on Mike, please do not screw this up.

Dang't Mike Bianco

It just keeps getting uglier for the Rebels, and I am sick of it, Mike Bianco. The big problem is that we suck. I said it. We suck. We cannot get clutch hits, and we cannot field the ball. Heck, we cannot even pitch anymore.

It is do or die time for the Rebels at 5:30 central time this evening. Drew Pomeranz will take the hill for the Rebels, and I hope he decides to not tip his pitches today.

If you cannot tell, I am angry. I was an optimist in earlier years, but now I am an "angrymist". You don't go around preaching this is the most talented and deepest team you have ever had, and then not even make the SEC Tournament. Come on, Mike.

In other news:

Somehow, some way, Mississippi State beat Arkansas during the first game of "Pack the Park for Polk" weekend. Thank you, Mississippi State. Now, we desperately need you to win two more. Also, South Carolina lost to Tennessee. The Rebels, Hogs, and Gamecocks now fill out the 7, 8, & 9 spots respectively.

Another important note: cheer you buts off for Georgia. Rain postponed last night's match-up with Alabama, and now they will play a double-header today. Go Georgia! If they sweep Alabama and we win one game, we are in!

However, if we cannot take two from Kentucky, we need not complain about not making it to Hoover or a Regional because we surely would not deserve to. And that's the bottom line.

Attention Please: Now committing the error for Ole Miss: Sean Stuyverson

They say that you learn something new every day. Well, that is absolutely right. I learned that can Sean Stuyverson not only incorrectly field ground balls and not throw anywhere accurately, he cannot bunt either. With the Rebels down by one, there are runners on first and second with no outs. Sean Stuyverson is up to bat. So, the obvious, logical thing to do in this situation is put both runners in scoring position. Bianco calls the bunt.... And the only problem is that Stuyverson actually has an inability to bunt. He misses the first. The second. And strikes out on the third with the miss. Not only that, Guerrero gets caught away from the bag at second and gets thrown out by the catcher. Now, one man on first with two outs, and the Rebels do not score. Thanks, Sean Stuyverson.

After this fiasco, The Ghost of Jay Cutler called me and said, "Why is Stuyverson still in the line-up?" I replied, "Why is he even still on the team?"

Thankfully, Mike put Ferguson in the next time. Ironically, Ferguson bats with no outs and two men on. You know what happens? He bunts for a base hit!!!!! Then, the bases are loaded, and Basham gets the sac-fly. WOW!!!

Satterwhite did not have that bad of a day with only giving up 2 runs through five innings, and I am glad that Mike had a short leash with him. Putting Bittle in was incredible, and he finished with 7 strikeouts in 4 innings pitched. After we got ahead, I knew that we would win with Scott on the mound. I think he is too great to only pitch 3 or 4 innings a week.

Since Ivory Tower has already laid the SEC Tourney picture out for you, here is my formula for winning in Lexington:

Friday: Lynn

Saturday: The Bittler

Sunday: Pomeranz

This way, you have power and consistency on Friday. Junk and NASTY on Saturday, and power from the left side on Sunday. This would keep the potent Kentucky attack at bay. The next part of the formula is kicking Stuyverson off the team.

Here is my batting order:

J. Henry RF

F. Smith LF

L. Power CF

C. Overbeck 3B

L. Williams DH (why hasn't he played more, mike?)

M. Smith 1B (strikes out too much in the line-up to be placed higher)

Z. Miller 2B

T. Ferguson SS

B-Twice C

As always, these games show me just how much Mike over-coaches. Why, Mike? I'm sure it is worth taking a kid out who has a home run so you can put Cullan Kight in against that new right handed pitcher out of the bullpen. Geez.

Again, I could spend hours ranting about Mike Bianco, but if he wins two against Kentucky, it could shut me up for a little while.

A Controversial Thought

I know this will probably be an unpopular position to take on baseball, but there's someone I want to gain a bigger role who doesn't have one right now.

That's why I'm advocating a new Sunday Starter... Scott Bittle.

Now, hear me out.

Scott Bittle has been lights out in relief, and while I know it's great to have someone who can come out of the pen and give us what Bittle gives us, we have a lot of depth in relief, especially when we pitch our starters through 7 innings like it seems we're loving to do these days.

Here's the thing. I want to see Justin Cryer and Rory McKean in relief. Like Bittle, those two have pitched well in relief, and we barely even see them on weekends these days. It's Bittle twice and Cryer for an inning.

I just feel like if we can return Satterwhite to a relief role, it would work better. If our three starters headed into the weekend were Fri: Lynn, Sat: Pom, Sun: Bittle, I'm not sure there would be a game in which I didn't favor our team.

Our bats and fielding always take Sundays off, so if we had a star pitcher throwing that day, it may not be a lost cause every Sunday.

I'm sure Cody Satterwhite is going to throw a no-hitter today and prove me wrong, but I just haven't been happy with his outings thusfar this season. I mean, the kid was on Team USA this summer. Now he has the highest ERA of all our starters?