Ole Miss Baseball Struggles to Fill Hole Left by Key Transfer

Ethan Surowiec's move to Florida disrupts the heart of the Rebels' lineup

Mar. 31, 2026 at 1:21am

A cubist-style painting depicting a fragmented, geometric representation of a college baseball game, with sharp, overlapping shapes and planes conveying the disruption caused by a key player's departure.The absence of a key player leaves a gaping hole in Ole Miss' lineup, disrupting the team's offensive rhythm.Oxford Today

Ole Miss baseball has been unable to recover from the loss of Ethan Surowiec, who transferred to Florida last July. Surowiec was expected to be a key middle-of-the-order bat for the Rebels, but his departure has left a void that the team has struggled to fill. The Rebels have dropped 9 of their last 10 games, and their inability to stabilize the heart of their lineup has been a major factor in their struggles.

Why it matters

Surowiec's transfer represents more than just a numbers issue for Ole Miss - it signals a deeper problem within the program, as a homegrown talent decided to leave for a rival school. The Rebels' inability to replace Surowiec's production has exposed flaws in their lineup construction and depth, putting their season in jeopardy if they can't find a solution.

The details

Ethan Surowiec was expected to be a key middle-of-the-order bat for Ole Miss this season, but he instead transferred to Florida on July 1st. His absence has been felt, as the Rebels have scored just 6 runs over their last 3 losses to in-state rival Mississippi State. Without Surowiec's protection in the cleanup spot, teams have been able to pitch around veteran hitters like Judd Utermark and Austin Fawley.

  • Ethan Surowiec transferred to Florida on July 1, 2025.
  • Ole Miss has dropped 9 of their last 10 games, including a 3-game series loss to Mississippi State on March 24-26, 2026.

The players

Ethan Surowiec

A former Ole Miss baseball player who transferred to the University of Florida in July 2025.

Mike Bianco

The head coach of the Ole Miss baseball team, who has been unable to find a permanent replacement for Surowiec in the heart of the Rebels' lineup.

Judd Utermark

A veteran hitter for the Ole Miss baseball team.

Austin Fawley

A veteran hitter for the Ole Miss baseball team.

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What they’re saying

“Ethan Surowiec was expected to be a constant in the middle of the Rebels' lineup this season. Instead, he'll be in the opposite dugout this weekend as Ole Miss opens a three-game series at Florida on Thursday.”

— Chase Parham, 247 Sports Writer

“It's about a lineup that hasn't consistently produced one-through-nine — and one that had a potential answer already on the roster.”

— Chase Parham, 247 Sports Writer

What’s next

The Rebels will need to find a permanent solution in the heart of their lineup before their upcoming 3-game series against Florida, where Ethan Surowiec will be playing for the opposing team.

The takeaway

Ethan Surowiec's transfer to Florida has exposed significant depth and lineup issues for the Ole Miss baseball team. If they cannot find a way to replace his production and stabilize the middle of their order, their season could be in jeopardy as they face tougher competition in the SEC.