Ole Miss freshman Max Cioffi makes case for increased bullpen role
OXFORD | The mound at Dudy Noble Field isn’t usually a place that resembles home for Ole Miss pitchers, but Max Cioffi was quite content when he was called upon over the weekend against Mississippi State.
The freshman from Chicago entered during the opening game of the series as wind and chilly weather mixed with constant and annoying precipitation. Those are conditions the right-hander knows well.
“The key in that is being consistent with my mechanics and where I come from in high school I pitched in that so many times,” Cioffi said. “I was kind of happy with it because I know it’s hard to hit in that weather.”
So far he’s unblemished no matter the climate for the fifth-ranked Rebels (28-6).
Cioffi hasn’t allowed a run this season in 10 innings spread across six different appearances, the latest a season-high 3.1 inning effort against the Bulldogs over the weekend. He scattered two hits and two walks with a strikeout, picking up the 10 outs on 52 pitches.
Opponents are hitting only .094 against him in 32 at-bats, and he hasn’t allowed an extra base hit. He threw two scoreless innings at Long Beach, got five outs at Memphis last week and has three other one-inning outings.
“The biggest thing is he really competes and throws the ball in the strike zone,” Ole Miss head coach Mike Bianco said. “He hasn’t had those big innings yet but with the opportunities he’s had and when he’s been in there he’s made the most of it. you need those guys. It’s how most pitchers start if you go back and look at the kids who pitch. They start with those innings. With each success you get more.”
The 6-foot-4, 210-pounder getting five innings in the span of a week could indicate a promotion as the season moves along. Bianco mentioned Cioffi on Monday as a possibility if he extends the weekend bullpen roles to other options. The Rebels have struggled deep in weekends when requiring relievers to make multiple appearances in a short span.
JUCO transfer Austin Miller is another potential option for Ole Miss, as the right-hander has given up one run in nine innings with 13 strikeouts and two walks. He pitched 2.1 scoreless Tuesday against Southern Miss.
Ole Miss needs some company for the oft-used group of Will Ethridge, Greer Holston, Dallas Woolfolk and Parker Caracci. Those four have thrown 75 relief innings this season — mostly all high-stress, high-leverage situations.
The last two weeks Ethridge has given up one combined run in 4.2 innings during his first appearance of the weekend. During his second time to be called upon in those two series he gave up five runs and only got two outs.
Caracci threw a season-high 50 pitches on Sunday, a week after getting six outs and five outs in back-to-back days.
Increased and more important opportunities may come for Cioffi, but he’s keeping it simple.
“I’ve just gone out and competed and tried to help my team win,” Cioffi said. “I’ve accomplished that, and everything else will take care of itself.”