Baseball practice begins tomorrow, and Ole Miss hitting coach Cliff Godwin is excited for an offense that he believes will hit more home runs this season.
The Rebels hit 37 home runs a year ago, 25 of them from departed seniors Matt Snyder and Zach Kirksey.
Ole Miss also loses two of its top three hitters for average – Alex Yarbrough who led the way at .380 and Snyder who was third at .332.
“I’m confident we’re going to hit more home runs as a team than we did last year,” Godwin says.
Improved strength and more experience are factors in Godwin’s confidence. On Twitter earlier this week he described a Sunday afternoon BP session as “electric.”
The Rebels will begin with intrasquad scrimmages Friday and Saturday with a regular workout on Sunday. Pitchers will throw two innings each in the scrimmage.
It’s pitching with juniors Bobby Wahl – a preseason All-American – and Mike Mayers as the top two starters that has generated the most attention for this team in the preseason.
Godwin expects to see the Rebels hit more doubles and steal more bases.
He says some opponents may underestimate the Ole Miss offense.
“I’m excited to see our offense, and I think some people are going to sleep on us, which is a good thing. Then they’re going to look up at the end of the season, and we’re going to have a great offense.”
Denham Springs, La., native, Mississippian since 1989 with a stop in Meridian before arriving in Tupelo. Daily Journal beat writer since 1996, covering Ole Miss since 2002. Proud Northeast Louisiana alum. Follow me on Twitter @parrishalford and listen to Kory Keys and myself daily with The Ole Miss Beat on Rebel Sports Radio.
