OXFORD – As was the case a season ago, Ole Miss baseball coach Mike Bianco thinks his team’s veteran stature will be an invaluable asset.

After missing the previous two NCAA Tournaments following their College World Series championship in 2022, the Rebels (43-21, 16-14 SEC) bounced back in a big way in 2025, hosting a regional for the first time since 2021. Ole Miss was the No. 10 overall seed in the 64-team bracket but fell in the regional final to Murray State.

Back are stalwarts like 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 title-winning team, started just two games combined in 2023 and 2024 due to an elbow injury. He returned to form last season with a 10-3 record, a 2.94 ERA and 102 strikeouts. Utermark broke out in 2025 with a .294 average and a team-high 22 home runs, while Furniss had his best year to date, hitting .305 with 12 home runs. Fawley, who transferred from Kentucky prior to the 2025 season, took over catching duties and slugged 21 home runs.

Ole Miss opens its 2026 season Friday with a three-game series against Nevada. First pitch for the opener is 4 p.m., and the game will be broadcast on SEC Network+.

“It’s an older team,” Bianco said Tuesday at the team’s annual media day. “And older – and you’ve heard me say this – older teams usually win in our league.”

Furniss will start at first base come Friday, according to Bianco. Murray State junior transfer Dom Decker will start at second base, junior Brayden Randle at shortstop and Utermark at third. The outfield will consist of sophomore Hayden Federico and senior transfers Tristan Bissetta and Daniel Pacella. Bissetta hit .266 with 10 home runs and 51 RBIs over three seasons at Clemson, while Pacella hit .355 with 20 home runs and 59 RBIs at Illinois State last season. Senior Collin Reuter will alternate between designated hitter, first base and catcher.

“It’s been more approach,” Utermark said of his hitting emphasis this offseason. “I think the elephant in the room is always strikeouts, and being able to cut that down at a 20% rate would be absolutely huge not only for myself but also for the team’s output and production.”

Elliott will start Friday night on the mound against the Wolf Pack while sophomore Cade Townsend will follow on Saturday and sophomore Missouri transfer Wil Libbert on Sunday. Townsend, who defeated eventual-national champion LSU in the SEC Tournament, had a 6.35 ERA as a true freshman with 43 strikeouts and 20 walks. Libbert had a 6.04 ERA as a freshman with the Tigers with 55 strikeouts and 33 walks.

Bianco said he expected either senior Landon Waters or North Dakota State junior transfer Landon Koenig to get the first crack at closer duties.

“This is probably the best pitching staff I (have) ever seen in my life,” Townsend said. “We have every single guy who throws strikes, who throws hard, nasty stuff, and they know their role. They know they’re good, and I think that’s the best thing you can do.”