1. There’s another phase of baseball, and often it decides the winner.

We spend so much more mileage on offense and pitching, but defense factors into the games plenty, as well, and it’s arguably why Ole Miss didn’t advance further a season ago.

The Rebels committed two errors in each loss to Murray State last June during the Oxford Regional, the second of which was a 12-11 squeaker that sent the Racers to Durham and eventually the College World Series.

Ole Miss is optimistic about its infield defense and hopeful regarding what’s in the outfield. Credit to Mike Bianco for transparency on the topic.

“I’ll let you know at the end of the weekend,” Bianco said when I asked about outfield defense on Tuesday.

The Rebels are sending out Hayden Federico in center and Tristan Bissetta and Daniel Pacella in the corners.

Federico was an infielder until last year when he had to moonlight out there for the Rebels. He spent all summer playing the position in the Cape and now likens it to defensive back in high school football.

The sophomore is comfortable in the middle and likes the freedom versus playing all the slices that come with either corner spot.

Bianco said Pacella and Bissetta have been better this spring and are better than they looked in the fall. It’s a power-first corner outfield, though youngsters Cannon Goldin and Brett Moseley are pushing for playing time.

“(Goldin and Mosely) are two of our best defenders, and that’s going to be a way to get them on the field,” Bianco said.

Ole Miss likes its infield with Dom Decker coming over from Murray State at second base and Brayden Randle playing solid shortstop so far as he enters another year in the program. Owen Paino remains the unknown — a highly touted signee who’s been able to show consistency.

The Rebels plan to give him opportunities at second, short and third.

Austin Fawley is an excellent defender behind the plate and does a nice job holding the opposing run game.

Ole Miss doesn’t have to have be spectacular, but it must be fundamentally sound in the field. The SEC margins are microscopic, and defense was the underrated variable for some of the best Ole Miss teams in the Bianco era.

The 2014 College World Series group had the best defensive outfield in memory, and the 2022 title team was solid throughout including a first round pick at shortstop and a second baseman who didn’t commit an error after February.

Catch and throw isn’t flashy, but it may be what decides the Rebels’ ultimate path this season.

“We’ve gotten better,” Bianco said. “I do know that. We need to put all of it together.”