Mike Bianco talks weekend in Houston, fielding issues, and more

·12 min·1 clip

Ole Miss coach Mike Bianco reveals his surprising take on the MLB extra-innings runner-on-second rule after experiencing it in Houston.

This episode is an interview segment from The Rebel Report podcast, where host Michael Borkey speaks with Ole Miss head baseball coach Mike Bianco. The conversation focuses on the team's recent weekend series in Houston against Liberty, where Ole Miss lost two of three games. Borkey opens by asking Bianco about experiencing the MLB extra-innings rule with a runner starting on second base, which Bianco notes his team is not a fan of but sometimes has to use in tournament settings. They then dissect pitching performances, particularly Hunter Elliott's outing where he struck out 11 after early struggles, and a late-game collapse on Friday involving reliever Hudson Calhoun. Bianco explains that a walk in the eighth inning was more disappointing than the subsequent game-tying home run. The host inquires about defensive issues, as Ole Miss has committed 16 errors this season. Bianco categorizes many as 'dumb errors,' giving examples like a catcher's unnecessary throw on a bunt and a relay throw hitting a runner's foot. When asked for positives, Bianco acknowledges the bitter taste of losing but highlights that the team was in position to win on Friday and showed resilience in a Saturday shutout victory. The discussion turns to the upcoming schedule, with five games before conference play and a matchup against Southern Miss. Bianco reveals the coaching staff is continuously evaluating the lineup and bullpen, noting that player performance can change significantly over a long season, so they will continue to tinker. The interview lasts about 10 minutes, with Borkey wrapping up by thanking Bianco and promoting future episodes.

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