Ole Miss head baseball coach Mike Bianco confirmed on Thursday that star pitcher Doug Nikhazy will pitch against Louisville on opening weekend.
Nikhazy was arrested on a DUI charge in Oxford early on Monday morning.
Bianco said that Nikhazy has already received some of the punishment and maintained that the situation will handled internally.
“I mentioned earlier that we will keep the punishment internal, and so keeping with that statement, I can’t tell you exactly what the punishment is but I can tell you that it’s severe and I think appropriate for the incident,” Bianco said. “It will not have anything to do with missed games so he will pitch opening weekend.”
It’s likely that Nikhazy will be the Friday starter against No. 1 Louisville next weekend as the Rebels’ ace pitcher.
While Nikhazy will hold his spot in the rotation, senior right-hander Tyler Myers will miss the season with a shoulder injury. Myers will undergo Tommy John surgery next week.
Myer’s absence will leave a significant hole in the bullpen for the Rebels. He held a 4.97 ERA in 23 appearances in 2019.
“I don’t if you can mention anybody specifically. We need everybody to pitch as well as they’re capable of pitching, especially at the start of the season. We really don’t know who’s going to the great year, but I’m confident and I think the players are confident that we have enough depth.”
Greer Holston could emerge to fill that role after hitting a slump last season. The senior only made on relief appearance last year after going 2-1 with a 3.27 ERA in 24 appearances during his sophomore season.
“He looks very similar to his freshman and sophomore year. There’s no secret sauce or anything we did mechanically,” Bianco said. “He’s also been elected team captain by his teammates… It shows you what kind of player, what kind of teammate he is.”
The Rebels open the season against Louisville on Friday, February 14 at 4 p.m.
