OXFORD – As was the case a season ago, University of Mississippi baseball coach Mike Bianco believes his team’s veteran status will be an invaluable asset.
Following a College World Series title in 2022, the Rebels (43-21, 16-14 SEC) missed the first two NCAA tournaments but rebounded significantly in 2025 to host regionals for the first time since 2021. Mississippi State was the No. 10 seed in the 64-team field but lost to Murray State in the regional finals.
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Among the backstops are stalwarts such as junior ace Hunter Elliott, senior infielder Judd Utermark, senior first baseman Will Furniss and junior catcher Austin Fawley. Elliott, one of the stars of the 2022 national championship team, started just two games total in 2023 and 2024 due to an elbow injury. He returned to form last season with a 10-3 record, 2.94 ERA and 102 strikeouts. Utmark broke out in 2025 with a .294 average and a team-high 22 homers, while Furniss is having his best year yet, with a .305 average and 12 homers. Foley, who transferred from Kentucky before the 2025 season, took over catching duties and hit 21 home runs.
Mississippi opens the 2026 season with a three-game series against Nevada on Friday. Game 1 of the season opener will be played at 4 p.m. and will be broadcast live on SEC Network+.
“This is an older team,” Bianco said Tuesday at the team’s annual media day. “The older teams — you’ve heard me say this — the older teams generally win in our league.”
Furniss will start at first base on Friday, according to Bianco. Murray State junior transfer Dom Decker will start at second base, with junior Brayden Randle at shortstop and Utermark at third base. The outfield will consist of sophomore Hayden Federico and senior transfers Tristan Bissetta and Daniel Pacella. Biseta hit .266 with 10 homers and 51 RBIs in three seasons at Clemson, while Pacella hit .355 with 20 homers and 59 RBIs last season at Illinois State. Senior Colin Reuter will rotate designated hitter, first baseman and catcher.
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“It’s a closer approach,” Utmark said of his hitting priorities this offseason. “I think the elephant in the room is always strikeouts, and to be able to reduce that by 20 percent is absolutely huge, not only for myself but for the output and production of the team.”
Elliott will take the mound against the Wolfpack on Friday night, while sophomore Cade Townsend will follow on Saturday and sophomore Missouri transfer Will Liebert will follow on Sunday. Townsend defeated eventual national champion LSU in the SEC Championship Game, posting a 6.35 ERA as a true freshman with 43 strikeouts and 20 walks. Liebert posted a 6.04 ERA as a freshman for the Tigers with 55 strikeouts and 33 walks.
Bianco said he expects senior Landon Waters or North Dakota State junior transfer Landon Koenig to lead the way at closer duty.
“This is probably the best pitching staff I’ve ever seen in my life,” Townsend said. “Every one of us is going to throw strikes, throw hard, dirty stuff, and they know their roles. They know they’re good, and I think that’s the best thing you can do.”