Ole Miss pitcher Hunter Elliott has been named to the 2026 Golden Spikes Award preseason watch list, USA Baseball announced Friday. Elliott is one of 55 players recognized for their performance this season.
This marks Elliott’s third time on the Golden Spikes watch list, having previously been named to the 2023 preseason list and the 2025 midseason list. The left-hander has earned multiple preseason honors, including being named a preseason All-American by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association, Perfect Game, and D1Baseball. He was also selected as a preseason All-SEC First Teamer by SEC coaches.
D1Baseball named Elliott the preseason Pitcher of the Year and ranked him as the fifth-best starting pitcher in the country. Last season, he made 16 starts as Ole Miss’s primary Friday night starter, posting a 10-3 record with a 2.94 ERA and 102 strikeouts. He held opponents to a .197 batting average and picked off 13 baserunners, more than any other Rebel in the modern era.
Elliott became the fifth pitcher in Ole Miss history to record a 10-win, 100-strikeout season. He also is the fourth Rebel pitcher to reach 100 or more strikeouts in two seasons. His 2.94 ERA was the lowest among Rebel starters since his freshman year when he posted a 2.70 ERA. The junior left-hander continues to be a key player for the Rebels heading into the upcoming season.
Single-game tickets for the 2026 Ole Miss baseball season are now available. Fans can purchase tickets through the university’s ticket portal and follow the team’s progress on social media, including Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Head coach Mike Bianco also shares updates on X, formerly Twitter, at @CoachMikeBianco.
