Rebels look to be a very special team

Published 10:53 am Monday, February 20, 2017

It’s too early to talk about a team of destiny, just three games into the 2017 college baseball season.

But it is not too early to acknowledge there is something special about this Ole Miss team, which swept No. 10 East Carolina this weekend in three games — the Rebels first sweep of a top 10-team since 2010.

This Ole Miss team is young, with true freshman comprising more than 40 percent of the starting lineup on Friday and Sunday. And let’s mention that two of those four freshmen starters were products of Oxford High School, including Grae Kessinger and Thomas Dillard.

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They made quite an impact, by the way.

Maybe we’re seeing things all warm and fuzzy after the fabulous February weekend of warm temperatures and mostly sunny skies that guided the Rebels to the dramatic opening series sweep.

Perhaps.

But it seems clear after the stellar relief pitching, solid freshman play and overall team chemistry that this Ole Miss baseball team is one worth watching, closely — this season, and likely for the next few seasons to come.

There will be some lumps along with way, with so many freshmen. But it’s already clear this team is something special.