OXFORD, Miss. – All-American reliever Scott Bittle has decided to return to Ole Miss and compete for the Rebels, the rising senior announced today.

Bittle, who was drafted by the New York Yankees with the 75th overall pick in the 2008 MLB First Year Player Draft last week, led the nation in strikeouts per 9.0 innings pitched and is fourth nationally in strikeouts as the reliever tallied 130 strikeouts on the season. The 130 strikeouts is third all-time on the single season list behind teammate Lance Lynn and Will Kline, who set the top two marks during the 2007 season.

“I’m excited about the opportunity to return to Ole Miss and play baseball,” said Bittle. “There is nothing like pitching in front of Rebel fans, and I am ready to get back out there and do that for another season.” 

“It’s a time of mixed emotions,” said Ole Miss head coach Mike Bianco. “I know Scott wanted to sign and I’m disappointed it didn’t work out for him. In the same regard, we are all excited he is returning for his senior year. In my opinion, we have the best pitcher in the Southeastern Conference returning for his senior year.”

The junior led the Southeastern Conference in strikeouts during the regular season, earning All-SEC Second Team honors as he also was named a semi-finalist for the Clemens Award and the Stopper of the Year.

Bittle posted a 7-1 mark on the season, picking up wins in relief over Mississippi State, No. 6 Vanderbilt, at No. 8 Georgia, Auburn, at No. 20 Kentucky and against No. 12 Missouri to send the Rebels to the NCAA Coral Gables Regional Championship game. In the win over Missouri, Bittle struck out a career-high 12 batters in 4.1 innings pitched and accounted for all 13 outs in his time on the mound.

Bittle also posted eight saves on the season, including preserving Rebel victories over Southern Miss, LSU, at No. 10 South Carolina, Arkansas and No. 6 Georgia in the SEC Tournament.