New Key Faces To Help Rebels Chances As Repeat College World Series Champs

Ole Miss will rely on the new faces of the program to help its chances in returning to Omaha.

One does not replace Tim Elko. Ole Miss fans know it. Mike Bianco knows it, too. 

Nicknamed "The Captain" for his leadership on and off the diamond, Elko was critical to the Rebels' Cinderella Story from the last team to make the NCAA Tournament to College World Series champions. Everything was led by the senior who once thought his career could be over after suffering a torn ACL. 

Walkthrough? Elko. 

Team meetings? Elko. 

Rallies and parades? Yeah, he led the way in those categories, too. 

Life in Oxford will move on without the face of Rebels' baseball leading the way as the program prepares to defend its title for a three-game series against Delaware starting Friday. Still, Bianco's attention is on the players who are expected to be a part of the next postseason run, not those who will begin a new chapter of their lives. 

"Probably the most-asked question since June is, 'How do you put the championship behind you?'" Bianco said during his preseason presser. "The truth is, it hasn't been that difficult. It's pretty easy when you walk into the first team meeting. We have 40 players, and 20 of them weren't here last year."

All eyes on the Grove are fixated on Elko's replacement at first base. As well they should. The Rebels, who enter the year ranked preseason top 10 on three of the four top websites, are losing a primary bat near the top of the lineup, but also a tone-setter in the clubhouse.

Elko's not the only player Ole Miss will need to replace. Dylan DeLucia, who finished with a team-leading eight wins, is now a part of the Cleveland Guardians organization. Catcher Hayden Dunhurst, who smacked eight home runs en route to a national title victory over Oklahoma, is working behind the plate with the Kansas City Royals. 

Oh, and flamethrowing right-hander Brandon Johnson, the man who picked up the final three outs in Omaha? He's at the professional level, too. 

The good news? Ole Miss added a few new faces in the offseason. Some have postseason experience. Others are just prospects on the rise. 

Barring an injury from now until the start of the postseason, Anthony Calarco likely fills the void at first base. A three-year starter at Northwestern, Calarco used his final year of eligibility to join the defending champions. 

While the Wildcats posted a woeful 24-27 record in 2022, Calarco remained hot at the plate. He posted a .325 batting average and 13 home runs to go along with 18 extra-base hits. The year prior, Calarco hit .295 and posted a .564 slugging percentage.  

"I think (he'll be) another good addition in the middle of the lineup," Bianco said.

Ole Miss should have options when it comes to replacing DeLucia. First up will likely be freshman Grayson Saunier, who could provide more than just longevity to the rotation. 

The Memphis native made it clear to teams last offseason that he intended on playing college ball instead of going pro, surpassing his opportunity to sign with the Texas Rangers as a 19th-round pick. Bianco said at his preseason media availability that Saunier had "as good a fall as any freshman" that he can remember.

Last season at Collierville High School, Saunier posted a 2.33 ERA with 63 strikeouts in over 48 innings. Bianco did not state the right-hander's role in the Rebels rotation entering the season opener, but was pleased with his development from Week 1 of the offseason to now. 

"I think it would be premature to start announcing the rotation right now, but I think it would be unfair to say that (Saunier) hasn’t put himself in a great position to be one of those guys," Bianco said.

As for Kevin Graham's replacement in left field, the Rebels likely will turn to either Kemp Alderman or TJ McCants. Should McCants move over to the left side of the field, Tulane transfer Ethan Groff would likely fill the void in either center field or right.

Last season in the American Athletic Conference, Groff lit up the stat sheet. He finished with a .404 batting average and 1.211 OPS while tacking on 17 extra-base hits. Groff also totaled nine home runs and scored a Green Wave-high 56 runs.

"He gives us some depth in the outfield," Bianco said. "A guy that can certainly play center field. We feel that he's a top-of-the-lineup bat. He will bring some speed to the bases that's needed. Just a good addition by our staff."

Bianco also has been pleased with the additions of left-hander Xavier Rivas from the University of Indianapolis and right-handed reliever Tommy Henninger from John A. Logan College. Rivas will likely continue to fight for a spot in the weekend rotation after a quality offseason with the program. At the same time, Henniger could eventually force his way into the setup role late in games. 

Last season with the Greyhounds, Rivas finished with a 7-0 record and a 2.24 ERA in 12 appearances. Henninger posted a 2.59 ERA and struck out 61 batters with the Volunteers. 

“We lost some really great players, but we also returned some really great players," said Bianco. "I think it is a great mix of returners, transfers, and first-year guys, freshmen.”

The Rebels return to Swayze Field for a 4 p.m. first pitch Friday afternoon. 

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