Ad Disclosure
Ole Miss coach Mike Bianco offers update on ace Hunter Elliott’s return
By Andrew Olson
Published:
Ole Miss is off to a rough start in SEC play, but the Rebels could be getting a key piece back in the next 2 weeks. Rebels coach Mike Bianco offered an update on ace pitcher Hunter Elliott when speaking to the media on Saturday.
“(Elliott) threw a bullpen on Monday and Thursday, full speed, felt great,” Bianco said, per Michael Katz of the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal. “He’ll throw another bullpen next week and throw to some hitters live prior to going to Starkville and just continue to progress.”
Ole Miss and Mississippi State will play a Friday-Sunday next week. Bianco sounded optimistic that Elliott could be back for the series after MSU, when No. 1 LSU visits Oxford April 21-23.
“If (Elliott) continues to hit all his marks and feel good, I would think that he would pitch LSU in some capacity,” Bianco told reporters.
Elliott pitched the Delaware game on Feb. 17. In 5 innings, he allowed 2 earned runs on 3 hits, striking out 9 to just 1 walk. He has been sidelined the past 7 weeks after experiencing discomfort in his left forearm.
Ole Miss managed a solid showing in nonconference play without Elliott but has struggled against SEC teams. The Rebels have dropped all 4 conference series of the 2023 season, going 2-10 in SEC play.
Elliott was a Freshman All-American in 2022. The standout southpaw made 20 appearances last season, including 12 starts, for the national champions, finishing second on the team in ERA (2.70) and strikeouts (102).
Here is Mike Bianco’s quote on ace Hunter Elliott, who has not pitched in a game since February. It sounds like good news. pic.twitter.com/YnSoewgykV
— Michael Katz (@MichaelLKatz) April 8, 2023
Andrew writes about sports to fund his love of live music and collection of concert posters. He strongly endorses the Hall of Fame campaigns of Fred Taylor and Andruw Jones.
