Where Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Southern Miss rank in preseason college baseball polls
The four major college baseball polls are out, and Mississippi's most prominent programs are all featured.
Less than a month remains until Mississippi State, Ole Miss and Southern Miss begin their 2022 baseball seasons on Feb. 18. In advance of the opener, all three teams are ranked in at least one of the four major preseason polls, with defending national champions Mississippi State and Ole Miss both figuring into the top 10 of nearly every ranking.
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Here is a roundup of where each team ranks heading into the new season.
Mississippi State
Fresh off their first national championship in program history, Mississippi State is reloaded and figures to contend again. The Bulldogs rank No. 4 in the D1 Baseball top 25, No. 3 in the Baseball America top 25, No. 6 in the Perfect Game top 25 and No. 9 in Collegiate Baseball Newspaper's top 50.
The Bulldogs return a number of contributors from last year's championship team. Kamren James, Logan Tanner, Luke Hancock and Brad Cumbest headline the returning bats while Jackson Fristoe, Preston Johnson, Brandon Smith and All-America closer Landon Sims return on the mound.
Ole Miss
Following another Super Regional exit in 2021, Ole Miss returns in 2022 with one of college baseball's most intimidating offenses but question marks on the mound. The Rebels rank No. 5 in D1 Baseball, No. 9 in Baseball America, No. 10 in Perfect Game and No. 19 in Collegiate Baseball Newspaper.
The Rebels bring back every major piece from an offense that averaged more than 7 runs per game last season, including preseason All-America honorees Jacob Gonzalez and Tim Elko. The pitching rotation is more up in the air as the Rebels have to replace second-round pick Doug Nikhazy, first-round pick Gunnar Hoglund and sixth-round pick Taylor Broadway.
Southern Miss
The Golden Eagles have won 40 or more games in every full season since 2016. They aren't ranked in the D1 Baseball, Perfect Game or Baseball America polls but they do crack the top 50 at No. 48 according to Collegiate Baseball Newspaper.
Most of Southern Miss' lineup returns for 2022, with the notable exception of star centerfielder Reed Trimble. The pitching rotation is a little less solid, with top starters Hunter Stanley and Walker Powell and ace reliever Ryan Och all in need of replacing.
Contact Nick Suss at 601-408-2674 or nsuss@gannett.com. Follow @nicksuss on Twitter.
This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Southern Miss baseball rankings 2022
