Oxford Regional to feature 2 Mississippi Schools

Inside the Oxford Regional

OLE MISS


Seed: No. 1 (37-23 overall, 16-14 SEC)


Coach: Mike Bianco


Top hitters: Jordan Henry (.365, 54 runs, 14 RBIs); Justin Henry (.378, 8 3Bs, 35 RBIs); Zach Miller (.370, 3 HRs, 26 RBIs)


Top pitchers: Will Kline (6-2, 3.68 ERA); Lance Lynn (7-4, 2.77 ERA)


The skinny: Ole Miss' late-game struggles were highlighted in the second SEC Tournament loss to Vanderbilt. Relief pitching, timely hitting remain question marks, but the Rebels boast plenty of NCAA Regional experience.

SOUTHERN MISS


Seed: No. 2 (38-21 overall, 14-10 Conference USA)


Coach: Corky Palmer


Top hitters: Trey Sutton (.368, 18 2Bs, 69 runs); Jody Blount (.326, 33 RBIs, 6 HRs); Brian Dozier (.335, 14 2Bs, 53 runs)


Top pitchers: Ryan Belanger (7-4, 2.63 ERA); Barry Bowden (7-3, 3.12 ERA); David Clark (8-5, 4.69 ERA)


The skinny: Timely hitting disappeared in back-to-back losses that knocked the Golden Eagles from the C-USA Tournament. If the bats come back, USM has enough pitching to threaten. Sutton's return from a knee injury certainly wouldn't hurt the Eagles' chances.

TROY


Seed: No. 3 (34-25 overall, 16-14 Sun Belt)


Coach: Bobby Pierce


Top hitters: Kevin Weidlich (.362, 13 2Bs, 11 HRs, 55 RBIs); Clint Robinson (.359, 18 2Bs, 17 HRs, 69 RBIs); Edgar Ramirez (.338, 16 2Bs, 11 HRs, 44 RBIs)


Top pitchers: Josh Dew (7-2, 2.56 ERA, 10 saves); Craig Snipes (6-5, 5.18 ERA); Joe Hallahan (5-6, 5.66 ERA)


The skinny: The Trojans surprised some by making the field, but a strong schedule and solid RPI earned them a spot. As usual, Troy can swing the bats (.304 team average), and a team 5.78 ERA means it will have to for it to advance.

SAM HOUSTON STATE


Seed: No. 4 (38-22 overall, 18-12 Southland)


Coach: Mark Johnson


Top hitters: Bobby Verbick (.373, 22 2Bs, 13 HRs, 75 RBIs); Karl Krailo (.357, 15 2Bs, 45 RBIs); Keith Stein (.297, 12 2Bs, 48 runs)


Top pitchers: Luke Prihoda (6-3, 1.21 ERA, 17 saves); Jacob Howard (11-5, 2.74 ERA); Jesse Marshall (8-3, 3.58 ERA)


The skinny: The Bearkats are making their first trip to the NCAAs since 1996 after going 4-0 to win the Southland Conference Tournament and earn an automatic berth. Prihoda, who had a win and two saves in the tourney, was the Southland's pitcher of the year.