14 former Mississippi high school players on rosters for 2022 NCAA College World Series

Stanford's power-hitting freshman Braden Montgomery is one of 14 native Mississippians on CWS rosters

JACKSON — With Southern Miss hosting Ole Miss in a Super Regional last weekend, we knew there would be some Mississippi ties at the 2022 NCAA Baseball College World Series.

Now that the field is set and half the SEC West is in it, here's a look at all the players from the Magnolia State who will be in Omaha this weekend.

Arkansas

Brady Tygart, P, Lewisburg

Although still a true freshman, Tygart is playing a big role for the Hogs out of the Bullpen. He’s made 23 appearances this season and he’s sporting a 3.82 ERA over 37.2 innings of work with 51 strikeouts and 21 walks.

Auburn

Bryson Ware, OF, Germantown

Ware has been an important piece for Auburn in his junior year, appearing in 48 games with 23 starts for the Tigers. He is hitting a cool .226, but he’s driven in 21 runs and his on-base percentage has ticked up to .330.

Stanford

Braden Montgomery, P/OF, Stanford

We all knew how special Montgomery was coming out of Madison Central last year, but the right-handed freshman has exceeded our highest expectations. The Cardinal’s four-hole hitter is batting .297 with 18 homers in 59 starts in the outfield, and his 57 RBIs are good enough for second-best on the team. He’s also started three games on the mound and pitched in 12 others in relief, sporting a 5.79 ERA over 18.2 innings of work.

Madison Central's Braden Montgomery (6) releases a pitch in the second inning. Madison Central and Northwest Rankin played in game 1 of the MHSAA Class 6A Baseball Championship on Thursday, June 4, 2021 at Trustmark Park. Photo by Keith Warren

Ole Miss

Kemp Alderman, OF, Newton County Academy

The sophomore has been a model of consistency in his second year with the program, batting .282 with 10 home runs and 42 RBIs in 52 starts. He had a five-RBI game against Miami down in the Coral Gables Regional two weeks ago.

Hayden Dunhurst, C, Pearl River Central

After a slow start, one of the country’s best defensive catchers has started to heat up at the plate. The junior from Carriere was batting .208 going into April, but that number has climbed to .247 going into the College World Series. He’s driven in 28 runs in 48 starts.

Hunter Elliott, P, Tupelo

The true freshman left-hander who prepped at Tupelo High has been outstanding down the stretch as the Saturday starter. In his last five starts — all Rebel wins — he’s given up seven runs on 18 hits in 30 innings of work with 39 strikeouts and 14 walks. For the season, he’s 4-3 with a 2.82 ERA, and hitters are batting .202 against him.

More: Tupelo coach Justin Reed not surprised Hunter Elliott 'taking care of business' at Ole Miss

Tupelo left-hander Hunter Elliott pitches against Madison Central in the 2021 North State Championship in Madison, Miss. Photo by Keith Warren

Braden Jones, P, Madison-Ridgeland Academy

The freshman right-hander from MRA has not pitched this season for Ole Miss and appears destined for a red shirt.

Knox Loposer, C, Jackson Prep

The senior from Madison has played a supporting role for the Rebels this season, appearing in nine games with one start. He is, however, 2-for-9 at the plate with a walk and four RBIs. In his only start — against Alcorn State back on March 9 — he doubled and rove in three runs.

Riley Maddox, P, Jackson Prep

The freshman right hander was solid in 14 appearances this season before having Tommy John surgery in mid-May. He had a 5.24 ERA over 22.1 innings out of the bullpen, getting 16 strikeouts and giving up nine walks, 26 hits and 13 runs. Two of those runs came in his last outing against Mississippi State on April 22nd. What Ole Miss had hoped was just arm tightness ended up requiring surgery, and he’s likely to miss the 2023 season as well.

Noah Magee, P, Simpson Academy

The right-hander hasn’t pitched in his junior season since transferring over from Hinds Community College.

Mitch Murrell, P, Ocean Springs

The right-handed junior from the coast has pitched 7.2 innings over nine appearances for the Rebels with 11 strikeouts and five walks. He pitched a lot in the non-conference portion of the schedule, but hasn’t thrown over 25 pitches in any outing and made his last appearance on April 19 against Southeast Missouri.

Mason Nichols, P, Jackson Prep

Nichols is among the most-used arms in the Rebel bullpen. The freshman accumulated a 3.21 ERA over 28 innings of work with 34 strikeouts and 10 walks.

Logan Savell, P, Madison Central

The right-handed junior has made two appearances this season, striking out four batters over two innings. He got tagged for two runs in his last outing against Southeast Missouri on April 19.

Banks Tolley, OF, St. Andrew’s Episcopal

The former Saint transferred to Ole Miss via Meridian Community College last year, and has played a strictly backup role for the Rebs as a junior. He’s got into 15 games as a pinch hitter or defensive replacement, and he’s 4-for-15 at the plate with two doubles and three RBIs.