Watch Ole Miss’ Thomas Dillard go (really) deep for first collegiate home run

Published 9:56 pm Friday, February 24, 2017

It was only a matter of time until Thomas Dillard put a charge into one at the college level.

Dillard, the former Oxford High standout, showed off his power stroke with his first collegiate home run Friday in Ole Miss’ 7-2 win against UNC-Wilmington in the teams’ series opener at Swayze Field, and it didn’t come cheap.

Batting left-handed against Wilmington right-hander Luke Gesell in the eighth inning, the switch-hitting Dillard got a 3-2 fastball up in the zone and deposited it well beyond the wall in right-center field, nearly reaching the students sitting in the terrace. The freshman, who went 1-for-3, leads the Rebels with a .533 batting average.

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Watch Dillard’s towering shot in the video below.

An Under Armour All-American his senior year at Oxford and one of five top-100 high school prospects to ink with Ole Miss, Dillard led all high school players with 16 home runs last season. His raw power and advanced offensive approach have made Dillard a mainstay in the lineup with most of his starts coming in left field.

Dillard and the Rebels will try to stay unbeaten Saturday in the second game of the series at noon.