Under-the-radar relievers carrying Ole Miss bullpen through three weekends

OXFORD | Most associated with Ole Miss baseball would be confused if there were a point in the year when three relievers most people never mentioned in the preseason had twice as many wins as the three weekend starters combined.

Yet, through 10 games and an 8-2 record for the Rebels, here we are.

Ole Miss swept Long Beach State (0-10) on the weekend, putting together a 4-0 week and staying on a nice pace record-wise through three weekends. But instead of the expected bullpen suspects, it’s a different cast of characters who have helped guide the Rebels so far.

Austin Miller (1-0, 2 saves), Connor Green (2-0) and newcomers junior college transfer Taylor Broadway (1-0) and freshman Doug Nikhazy (1-0, 1 save) have combined for two runs allowed in 28 innings since the second day of the season.

Broadway gave up three earned runs in his first career appearance but since then has thrown five scoreless that includes three shutout innings to close out Long Beach on Saturday in the final game of the series.

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“He was terrific in the two games this week,” Ole Miss head coach Mike Bianco said. “Tough first day but two times this week he was lights out with really good stuff and outstanding command. Fastball up to 92 on both sides of the plate will do it for you.”

Miller only threw 15.2 innings in his first year with the Rebels, but has pitched 10.1 innings this season with one run scored and no walks. He’s struck out seven including three on Friday in four scoreless innings.

“Another guy that has flown under the radar,” Bianco said. “He’s given us some length in games… and has been so sharp every time. He puts up zeroes and he can throw strikes. Just pounds the strike zone along with a swing-and-miss breaking ball. He has everything you want.”

And Green, who is back over the top following a season of submarine delivery, picked up two wins last week including a two-pitch escape to strand inherited runners on the corners with one out against Tulane. The right-hander had a 2.73 ERA as a freshman with more than a strikeout per inning and seems to finally be comfortable again.

The Collierville, Tennessee, native has allowed no runs and no walks with nine strikeouts in 7.2 innings.

“He’s been poised and great,” Bianco said. “Connor has experience and is someone we trust to make the big pitches in big situations.”

Freshman Doug Nikhazy, who wasn’t one of the couple more heralded recruits in the class, has yielded just one earned run in five innings over four appearances.

"He has the ability to bounce back quickly and doesn't lose anything on the second and third appearance of the week," Bianco said.

Even outfielder Ryan Olenek got in on the work, throwing a perfect ninth inning against UT Martin with a 92 MPH fastball and a breaking ball that had late bite.

The Ole Miss pitching staff has been a constant talking point for fans to figuratively gnash teeth about considering Zack Phillips and Gunnar Hoglund haven’t transitioned as quickly as expected in their first Division I roles after three weeks, and Will Ethridge missed a week with a blister issue — along with some expected bullpen positives being at least question marks. Ethridge has been tremendous in his two outings so far this season, but other familiar names haven’t shared his success.

Houston Roth, who challenged Phillips for a starting role all preseason, injured his non-throwing shoulder five days prior to the season opener during practice. He’s pitched through the ailment but given up 12 hits, three walks and six earned runs in 6.2 innings.

“The left shoulder is still bothering him with where he bruised that joint,” Bianco said. “It affects his command and it’s just a shame. He did compete and he can do that with everybody. He hangs in there.”

Greer Holston hasn’t pitched this season because of a substantial velocity loss after he had hopes of, at minimum, being the key bullpen swing arm after last year. And All-America closer Parker Caracci has allowed eight runners (3 hits, 5 walks) in 2.1 innings.

Caracci walked three of four batters faced in the eighth inning of game two against Long Beach — a week after Tulane’s David Bedgood hit a two-run walk-off home run to beat the Rebels, 13-12.

Jordan Fowler was one of Ole Miss’ late-season saviors in 2018, leading to the SEC Tournament title, but he’s followed that with four runs on four hits and five walks in 4.1 innings.

Ole Miss has discovered or rediscovered names to fill the voids left by thought-to-be proven pitchers, so there’s the chance for an even deeper staff than expected as the season progresses. But, either way, the emerging relievers are eating up innings and keeping Ole Miss on track through nonconference play.

“It’s been great, kind of fitting in a little more and working,” Miller said. “It’s nice to know you’re going to get innings on the weekend and play for your brothers.”