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Why Ole Miss' Brayden Randle played OF in super regional for first time since he was 14

AUBURN, AL — Ole Miss baseball junior Brayden Randle technically had some experience in the outfield when he trotted out to right field to start against Auburn on June 5.

It just came from a game with far less stakes than Game 1 of an NCAA Tournament super regional against Auburn.

"There was about four people who asked me," Randle said about the last time he played outfield. "I told them 14U. Summer ball."

Randle, who is an infielder, has only started four of the last eight games for the Rebels. But he was instrumental in the 6-4 win at Plainsman Park that got Ole Miss (40-21) one victory away from the College World Series.

The Rebels face Auburn (42-21) on June 6 (4 p.m., ESPN) in Game 2.

And was he any good as an outfielder in 14U?

"I did hose (throw out) a runner in my last game," Randle said with a laugh.

Why did Ole Miss coach Mike Bianco start Randle in the outfield? First and foremost, Bianco wanted Randle's bat (.252) in the lineup. The other options Ole Miss has tried of late haven't been great. Brett Mosley is hitting .212, Daniel Pacella .152 and Cannon Goldin .200.

Randle usually plays DH, but Bianco said he wanted to give Collin Reuter, who has less positional versatility, the start there. Getting Randle and Reuter in the lineup paid off handsomely.

Bianco said Randle threw "the first couple punches" in the game. He was 2-for-3 with a walk and two RBIs. Reuter hit a two-run home run in the sixth.

Bianco switched Randle with left fielder Tristan Bissetta in the second inning so he wouldn't have to deal with the sun as much, and Randle handled the only fly ball hit his way.

Randle said most Ole Miss infielders take some fly balls during practice, and he jumped at the opportunity.

"For some reason, all the infielders in our last round of BP will go out and take fly balls," Randle said. "I just caught the balls. I guess they (coaches) noticed that and they put me out there one day for practice. Kept doing it, kept doing it and I've started to feel comfortable out there."

Randle has shined in big moments this season. He hit the walk-off single on May 29 to beat Arizona State in the Lincoln Regional.

"I'm proud of him because in the biggest moments, I don't know if he sees it, but we see it," Bianco said. "The pulses slow. He wants those big moments. There's certain guys that won't pull the trigger. Certain guys that are different in those moments. He's almost better in those moments."

Sam Hutchens covers Ole Miss for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at Shutchens@gannett.com or reach him on X at @Sam_Hutchens_

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Why Ole Miss gave Brayden Randle first outfield start in super regional

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