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As a direct result of the Coronavirus, the 2020 Ole Miss baseball season has been suspended through March 30.
It began Wednesday morning, as LSU was preparing to travel to Oxford for the first weekend of conference play, and were told to exit the team buses. Then, the series was postponed, followed shortly by the suspension of all SEC sporting events through the end of the month.
Though the resumption of the season in April is in limbo, many conferences have cancelled spring sports entirely and a cloud of uncertainty looms over athletic programs nationwide and at Ole Miss.
After the news broke, Diamond Rebs both past and present took to Twitter to express their feelings of disappointment and letdown.
Former Friday night ace and current Colorado Rockie Will Ethridge was the first to chime in.
Proposition. Cancel summer league and let teams play their season then. CWS in August
— Will Ethridge (@willethridge_20) March 12, 2020
Shortly after, current first baseman and member of the #WHISKEYANDMEAT club, Ben Van Cleve put his thoughts to words.
Your training begins in August. You get through winter workouts. You start your season and have developed such incredible brotherhoods. You get that all yanked away from you. It’s a hard pill to swallow. This is heartbreak. It’s hard not knowing what’s next. God always has a plan
— Ben Van Cleve (@BenVanCleve) March 12, 2020
Cannon-armed catcher Hayden Dunhurst gave his thoughts as an underclassman, and fellow freshman phenom Peyton Chatagnier got in on the love.
❤️❤️❤️ https://t.co/oxKy0pOnOK
— Peyton Chatagnier (@peytonchat5) March 12, 2020
Houston Astros first-year spring training invitee Grae Kessinger joined in on the commentary after manning the 6-spot and donning blonde hair in 2019.
This @OleMissBSB team was a special group and fun to watch. Talk about a team that was able to be excellent day in and day out. Hate it’s over but whatever happens I know the #REBS will be back
— Grae Kessinger (@Swagulater15) March 12, 2020
Junior college transfer and lockdown bullpen arm Braden Forsyth spoke out on Friday morning.
The team chemistry we have is something special. I would die for my brothers. https://t.co/gSfqqYUdxl
— Braden Forsyth (@braden_f2) March 13, 2020
Current Los Angeles Angel arm and former Ole Miss bullpen maestro talked about his own experiences and how he relates to the current players.
— Mike Mayers (@mike_mayers59) March 13, 2020
Junior Tyler Keenan is one of those who potentially had his career cut short, and found himself at a loss for words.
Honestly at a loss for words right now, and dont really know what is going to come from all this. I do know that this groupd of guys was special and always will be my family, we all played for the name on the front and that will never change ❤️ pic.twitter.com/d8OPiolKUg
— Tyler Keenan (@TylerKeenan_10) March 13, 2020
A few years removed from Mayers’ dominance, another Rebel pitcher and current Colorado Rockie rising prospect Ryan Rolison gave his perspective on the situation.
Sad day for sports across the world... My thoughts go out to college athletes that put their absolute all into the game and to see it get cut short is heartbreaking #StopCorona2k20
— Ryan Rolison (@RyanRolison24) March 13, 2020
2020 team captain Tim Elko may not play another game at Ole Miss and gave his thoughts.
It’s hard to put in words what this team means to me. I am so blessed to have been apart of something so special and I will never forget any of the memroies we made. Thank you to everyone associated with the team and the Oxford community. Love you boys forever and always. ❤️
— Tim Elko (@TimElko) March 13, 2020
Expected MLB Draft pick Anthony Servideo may not return to Oxford for the 2021 season, and put his emotions to words.
Man, lots of emotions going on right now and this whole situation doesn’t even seem real. All I can think about is how this team may never suit up with the same 34 guys again. So thankful for the opportunity to play with this special group and the memories we made together❤️
— A$ (@ServideoAnthony) March 13, 2020
Tate Blackman, former Rebel utility man and second baseman currently in the Chicago White Sox system, crowned the 2020 team national champions.
UCF can do it! So can we! @OleMissBSB where the rings at?? pic.twitter.com/hIceJ15OKh
— Tate Blackman (@TateBlackman) March 14, 2020
Newcomer and dinger crusher Hayden Leatherwood wrote a heartfelt note to Rebel nation.
The 2020 Dream Team.. pic.twitter.com/QGrdNWo9ul
— Hayden Leatherwood (@HLeatherwood9) March 14, 2020
Recent birthday boy Cael Baker wrote similar sentiments in his note to the fans.
— Cael Baker™ (@Baker_Cael12) March 14, 2020
Tyler Myers, who has been through thick and thin while in Oxford, reflected on his journey.
4 weeks of not playing in the fall.. then surgery in February... now completely no baseball due to the virus... not being able to play is one thing, but not being around your brothers on the diamond that you spent endless time w/ is heart crushing❤️ we’ll be back stronger
— Tyler Myers (@ughty_) March 14, 2020
Freshman Sunday starter Derek Diamond is the most recent Rebel to share his thoughts.
making me tear up much love rebel nation stay safe til we’re back https://t.co/w90sQ28TDk
— D Diamond (@_derekdiamond) March 15, 2020
As the fallout of COVID-19 hits the collegiate athletic world, there are a lot of emotions running through the minds of active players and those who have come before. The Ole Miss baseball family will continue to speak out on their feelings, and a rational conversation amongst those who feel the impact is encouraged.