Tag: Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles

The future is bright for LSU baseball with Jay Johnson

The Tigers are primed to return to the top of the sport in the coming years.

That was a wild ride.

It’s hard to think of a better way to sum up LSU baseball in its first year under coach [autotag]Jay Johnson[/autotag]. The Hattiesburg Regional was just one weekend, but it represented what LSU was in 2021.

They were a fun team capable of providing fireworks and winning any game. They were also a group that could never find consistency.

Despite offensive superstars like [autotag]Dylan Crews[/autotag] and [autotag]Jacob Berry[/autotag], LSU just did not have the run prevention to back it up.

Pitching and defense were spotty from the start to the finish this year and LSU. They were weaknesses that were revealed once again in Hattiesburg as LSU dropped that crucial Game 7.

Despite all that, it’s hard not to be optimistic about where this program is headed.

Johnson checked a lot of boxes in his first year. He led a team that showed fight and never quit. He had to find ways to manage a pitching staff that rarely gave length and, to be frank, was overmatched at times.

On top of that, Johnson and staff killed it on the recruiting trail and are slated to bring in the top class in the country.

LSU is always going to have talent. In 2021, a transition year, Johnson managed to sign a top 10 class. In 2020, LSU’s class was ranked in the top five.

The Tigers will have big-time firepower at the plate again next year. A couple of sluggers are likely headed off to the MLB, but Crews will be back along with [autotag]Tre Morgan[/autotag].

The lineup depth could even be improved with more production from the bottom half.

It would be unfair for LSU to magically solve their pitching woes in one year. Pitching is something that takes time to develop, but the Tigers should be improved.

There will be a natural progression of guys already on the staff, and plenty of talent will be coming in. LSU could also be active in the transfer portal.

There’s good reason to have confidence in Johnson’s ability to figure it out. He’s proven himself to be a coach that does just that.

It’s been a while since LSU has been to Omaha, and the Tigers will have to wait at least one more year. But going forward, they have positioned themselves to be a power in the sport.

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Southern Miss sends the Tigers packing in Game 7 of the Hattiesburg Regional

The Tigers’ season came to an end in the regional final on Monday evening.

Two of the best words in all of sports: Game 7.

It was do-or-die for LSU and Southern Miss as they squared off for the third time this weekend at the Hattiesburg Regional. Despite winning their first two games of the postseason, the Tigers couldn’t close things out and saw their season end in an 8-7 shootout.

[autotag]Ma’Khail Hillard[/autotag] got the start on the mound in the big game. Southen Miss got on the board early as the first batter of the game hit a solo shot to make it 1-0 Golden Eagles. LSU answered back with a big first inning of their own as the Tigers plated three runs thanks to a two-RBI single from [autotag]Tre Morgan[/autotag] and a bunt single for an RBI by [autotag]Jordan Thompson[/autotag] to make it 3-1 Tigers after one.

In the bottom of the third inning, [autotag]Cade Doughty[/autotag] made his presence felt as he hit a solo shot of his own to make it 4-1 LSU.

In the top of the fourth inning, [autotag]Paul Gervase[/autotag], the Tigers’ closer, came in to try and eat up some innings and retain the LSU lead. Southern Miss proceeded to score two runs and cut the lead to 4-3.

In the bottom of the sixth inning, LSU loaded the bases with two outs but they were unable to score any runs as [autotag]Drew Bianco[/autotag] struck out to end the inning. In the top of the seventh, Southern Miss loaded the bases on [autotag]Devin Fontenot[/autotag] and scored on a sacrifice fly to center field to tie the game at 4-4.

That brought [autotag]Bryce Collins[/autotag] out of the bullpen for LSU and the first hitter he faced ripped a single to left field to score the go-ahead run as the Golden Eagles took a 5-4 lead. After a four-pitch walk to load the bases, [autotag]Trent Vietmeier[/autotag] was brought out of the bullpen to try and get LSU out of the jam only down by one run.

The first batter Vietmeier faced hit a two-RBI single to right field to make it 7-4 Golden Eagles before the Tigers finally got out of the inning. In the bottom of the seventh inning with two outs, Berry walked, Doughty doubled, and [autotag]Tre Morgan[/autotag] hit an RBI single to cut the lead to 7-5. Thompson then grounded one up the middle to make it a one-run game.

Still two outs, runners on first and second for [autotag]Tyler McManus[/autotag]. McManus struck out, but the Tigers were able to score two runs and cut it to a one-run game as we headed to the eighth inning.

In the top of the eighth inning, [autotag]Eric Reyzelman[/autotag] entered the game looking to help the Tigers keep the momentum going from the bottom of the seventh. He did his job as he retired the Golden Eagles 1-2-3 and kept the momentum rolling for the Tigers.

Dugas, Bianco, and Pearson were due up for LSU. On a 3-1 count, Gavin Dugas hit a solo home run to tie the game at seven. With two outs, Crews drew a walk to put him on first base as Berry stepped into the box.

That elicited a pitching change from Southern Miss. Berry grounded out, and we went to the ninth inning tied 7-7. In the top of the ninth, Southern Miss scored a run on a sacrifice fly to take an 8-7 lead as we headed to the bottom of the ninth.

This was it, do-or-die. How would the Tigers respond?

Doughty, Morgan, and Thompson were due up for LSU. Doughty grounded out to third for out No. 1. Morgan grounded out to second, and Thompson struck out as the Tigers fell 8-7. With that, the season is over for LSU. Southern Miss will advance to the super regional as a host and will play Ole Miss.

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How to watch as LSU faces elimination in regional Game 7 vs. Southern Miss

The Tigers advance to the super regionals with a win. With a loss, their season ends.

The Tigers ran out of magic on Sunday night in the first game of the Hattiesburg Regional final against the host and No. 11 national seed Southern Mississippi.

LSU overcame late deficits in each of its first two games in the NCAA Tournament, including in the first matchup against the Golden Eagles on Saturday. But the Tigers couldn’t overcome a four-run gap in the ninth inning this time around as they fell 8-4, forcing a decisive Game 7 with a spot in the super regional round on the line.

These two teams are becoming very acquainted with each other, as this will be the third matchup between them in as many days. The Tigers will look to prevail and advance out of a regional on the road for the second straight season.

The game will begin at 3 p.m. CT on Monday, and it will be broadcast on ESPNU. Here’s everything you need to know to follow as LSU takes the diamond with its season on the line.

LSU falls to Southern Miss in regional final rematch, Game 7 set for Monday afternoon

The Tigers couldn’t pull off a third straight comeback and will play with their season on the line Monday.

The LSU Tigers entered Sunday night’s game just one win away from advancing to the super regionals.

Just like on Saturday night, they trailed heading into the ninth inning against Southern Miss. But this time, there was no late-inning magic to win the game as the Golden Eagles won 8-4 and sent the regional to a winner-take-all Game 7 tomorrow at 3 p.m. CT.

The Tigers started the game off strong with a two-run [autotag]Cade Doughty[/autotag] dinger in the top of the first inning before [autotag]Samuel Dutton[/autotag] took the mound. In the bottom of the second, Southern Miss tied the game 2-2 with a couple of runs before chasing Dutton from the mound after only 2.1 innings.

In the top of the third inning, [autotag]Dylan Crews[/autotag] scored on a Doughty single to give the Tigers the lead once again and Pearson scored on a passed ball to make it 4-2 LSU.

In the bottom of the third, the Golden Eagles scored two runs and tied the game once again. The 4-4 score would hold until the bottom of the sixth inning when [autotag]Eric Reyzelman[/autotag] came in to pitch after [autotag]Riley Cooper[/autotag] walked the first batter.

Southern Miss proceeded to score three runs and make it a 7-4 game. In the bottom of the eighth, [autotag]Blake Money[/autotag] came in out of the bullpen, and he was greeted with a Golden Eagles home run to make it 8-4 as we headed to the top of the ninth.

[autotag]Jack Merrifield[/autotag], Crews, and [autotag]Jacob Berry[/autotag] were due up for the Tigers. Merrifield struck out looking, Crews struck out looking, Berry singled, Pearson was hit by a pitch and Doughty grounded out as the Tigers lost 8-4.

Game 7 will be tomorrow afternoon at 3 p.m. CT. The winner goes to the super regional to take on the winner of Miami and Ole Miss, and the loser goes home.

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How to watch LSU baseball’s rematch vs. Southern Miss in the regional finals

The Tigers advance to the super regional round with a win.

The Tigers have captured lightning in a bottle in Hattiesburg this weekend in the regional round of the NCAA Tournament.

In the opener against Kennesaw State, it overcame an 11-4 deficit in the eighth to win 14-11, and facing host and No. 11 national seed Southern Mississippi in the winner’s bracket on Saturday night, it found itself in a hole once again.

This time, the Tigers trailed 6-2 in the bottom of the ninth, but a four-run rally sent it to extras, where they walked it off in the bottom of the 10th. LSU is just the second team since 1999 to win its first two tournament games while trailing in the seventh inning.

Now in the regional final, it will face the Golden Eagles — who survived an extra-innings game in the elimination contest against Kennesaw State — in a rematch on Sunday night with a spot in the super regionals on the line. The Tigers would advance with a win, while a loss would force a decisive game on Monday afternoon.

Here’s everything you need to know to follow this one, which begins at 6 p.m. CT and will be streamed on ESPN+.

Another late-inning rally lifts Tigers past Southern Miss, into regional finals

The Tigers came back to beat Kennesaw State late on Friday night, and they pulled the same magic on Saturday against top-seeded Southern Miss.

After the dramatic win against Kennesaw State on Friday night, LSU moved on in the winner’s bracket to face the host and No. 11 national seed in the Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles.

Just like the prior night, LSU pulled off some late-inning magic as it rallied from being down 6-2 in the ninth inning to win the game 7-6 in extra innings.

[autotag]Ty Floyd[/autotag] got the start on the mound, and he pitched six innings, allowing four runs on six hits and four strikeouts. The Tigers scored the first run in the bottom of the first inning as [autotag]Tre Morgan[/autotag] hit an RBI single to score [autotag]Dylan Crews[/autotag] and make it 1-0.

In the top of the second, Southern Miss struck back with a two-run homer to take a 2-1 lead. In the bottom of the inning, [autotag]Tyler McManus[/autotag] hit a solo shot to tie it at two runs each.

Southern Miss tacked on four more runs before the Tigers got to bat in the bottom of the ninth inning trailing 6-2. [autotag]Josh Stevenson[/autotag] hit a fly ball for out No. 1, but Crews then launched a Crews Missile to cut the lead to 6-3.

[autotag]Jacob Berry[/autotag] flew out for out No. 2, but [autotag]Josh Pearson[/autotag] kept the game alive with a single to bring up [autotag]Cade Doughty[/autotag], who hit a two-run blast to cut the lead to 6-5.

Still with two outs, Morgan stepped up and was hit by a pitch. So, the tying run was on first base as [autotag]Jordan Thompson[/autotag] stepped into the box. [autotag]Drew Bianco[/autotag] came in to pinch run for Morgan as Southern Miss made a call to the bullpen for a new pitcher.

Bianco stole second, and Thompson hit an RBI single to tie the game at six. The Tigers clawed their way back after being down 6-2 at the start of the inning to tie it up, and we headed to extra innings in Hattiesburg.

[autotag]Paul Gervase[/autotag] came in to pitch the top of the 10th inning as the Tigers looked to try to get three quick outs and get back to swinging the bats. Gervase retired the Golden Eagles 1-2-3, and we went to the bottom of the 10th with a chance for LSU to walk it off. McManus, Stevenson, and Crews were the three Tigers due up.

T-Mac started it off with a single to right field and just like that, the winning run was at first base for Stevenson. [autotag]Jay Johnson[/autotag] brought in [autotag]Collier Cranford[/autotag] to run for McManus as he pushed all of his chips in on trying to win in that frame.

Stevenson was hit by a pitch as he tried to bunt, and now there were two runners on base for Crews, who took a four-pitch walk to load the bases with no one out. The winning run was now only 90 feet away for Berry.

He reached on a fielder’s choice, but Cranford was out at home. Now with one out, bases were still loaded for Pearson. He hit into a fielder’s choice, but the Golden Eagles were unable to make the play at home as the Tigers earned an improbable walk-off.

With the win, LSU moves on to the regional final on Sunday. That game will be on Sunday at 6 p.m. CT, and it will play the winner of the elimination game between Southern Miss and Kennesaw State, who survived elimination against Army on Saturday. That game will be played earlier in the day.

If the Tigers win Sunday night, they will be heading to the super regional round. With a loss, they would play a winner-take-all rematch on Monday.

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Former Southern Miss golf coach Sam Hall dies at 86

Sam Hall, a Hattiesburg, Mississippi, native who did two stints as the head golf coach at Southern Miss and was accomplished player.

Sam Hall, a Hattiesburg, Mississippi, native who did two different stints as the head golf coach at Southern Miss, passed away Dec. 15 at the age of 86. Hall was an accomplished athlete in his own right, not to mention an accomplished golfer, whose name lives on in the Golden Eagles’ annual Sam Hall Intercollegiate, played at Hattiesburg Country Club.

Hall, born Nov. 27, 1933, lettered on the Southern Miss men’s golf team from 1955-58 and was the No. 1 player on the team all four years. His first stint as men’s golf coach at his alma mater came from 1969-70, and he returned from 1990-2000. He led the women’s golf program from 1992-97.

“Coach Hall is a legend in our university and our golf programs,” said Southern Miss men’s golf coach Eddie Brescher. “He is a man that touched the lives of so many people on and off the golf course. Personally, my family and I are indebted to Coach Hall for paving the way for Southern Miss Golf.

“To have the Hall name associated with our university and our golf programs is something we will forever honor. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Hall family during this difficult time.”

Hall has the distinction of being the only athlete in Hattiesburg High School history to letter in every sport that was offered. His career as an amateur golfer includes more than 300 tournament titles in a span of 50 years. He was a seven-time Mississippi Senior Amateur Champion and a Grand Masters champion in 2004-2005. Hall also competed in the Magnolia Classic on the PGA Tour 10 times and made the cut twice. He competed in the U.S. Senior Open seven times.

Hall was inducted into the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame in 2012, and will go into the Mississippi Golf Association Hall of Fame as part of the 2020 class.

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