The fall intrasquad season was a struggle for Illinois transfer outfielder Ryan Moerman.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He wasn\u2019t hitting. Instant-impact offense was the primary reason Ole Miss signed him out of the portal.\u00a0Moerman was a two-time All-Big Ten second-teamer<\/a><\/strong> and a career .276 hitter for the Illini. He had 31 home runs, 21 doubles, 104 RBI and a .530 slugging percentage over three seasons.\u00a0<\/p>\n He was worried about the first impression he was making. Ole Miss is coming off back-to-back losing seasons following the program\u2019s first-ever national title in the summer of 2022. The urgency to win has never been higher.<\/p>\n Moerman walked into the office of long-time hitting coach Mike Clement. His appeal was simple.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t give up on me yet,\u201d he said.\u00a0<\/p>\n Clement reassured Moerman the Rebel coaches still very much believed in him. Moerman has rewarded the patience with a blistering start to the 2025 season.<\/p>\n Moerman was one of four Rebels to hit a home run in a 15-8, slugfest of a win for No. 24 Ole Miss over No. 22 Southern Miss Tuesday night. The Rebels moved to 7-1 on the season and already have three ranked wins.\u00a0<\/p>\n Next is a three-game series against Wright State at Swayze Field this weekend.<\/p>\n \u201cThat didn\u2019t look like a typical USM pitching staff,\u201d Bianco said. \u201cWe made them work, took the walks and really hit well in the late innings.\u201d<\/p>\n Ole Miss shortstop Owen Paino (Photo credit: Ole Miss Baseball\/X)<\/p>\n Hill reached base and scored three times in the win.\u00a0<\/p>\nMoerman tied Luke Hill for the team lead in home runs (3).\u00a0<\/h2>\n