The Student Printz February 8, 2023 | Volume 108 Issue 14

For Lou: Many mourn sudden loss of USM professor

BY GARRETT GROVE SM2 REPORTER

Many at the University of Southern Mississippi mourn the sudden death of theatre professor Louis Rackoff. The longtime USM professor was on medical leave and expected to return to campus later this semester, but he passed on Sunday surrounded by loved ones.

Rackoff was considered a giant within the School of Performing and Visual Arts at USM. Since 2005, he has served as a professor and the head of the directing master’s program at USM. Rackoff’s professional career in theatre stretches back to the 1970s.

Condolences from the theatre department and the USM Community poured in on social media. Public and private Facebook groups have collectively amassed hundreds of people to remember the man they known as Lou.

Some who worked with and under Rackoff talked to the Southern Miss Student Media, like Camille Colley. She is an administrative specialist and a graduate of USM’s School of Visual and Performing Arts.

She specifically remembered Rackoff’s devotion to students.

“The students were Lou’s life,”

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Southern Miss eyes Omaha in 2023 season

BY 4TH STREET SPORTS STAFF

Baseball in Hattiesburg has quickly become the most anticipated Southern Miss sporting season every year. The hype and optimism for baseball last season was at an all-time high, and the team did not disappoint. Ranked as high as No. 4 in the country, the Golden Eagles won their first NCAA Regional since 2009. They became one of the few teams ever to host a Conference tournament, an NCAA Regional, and an NCAA Super Regional.

The hype for baseball is even higher this season. With the roster returning most of its key stars and adding several talented transfers, the diamond at Pete Taylor Park is set for success. The focus is on opening day on February 17, but the team, the fans, and the coaches can’t help but eye a potential trip to Omaha, Nebraska in June.

FOR MORE BASEBALL, SEE PAGES 4-7.

A rose sits in the director’s chair in the Woods Showcase Theater Monday in memory of professor Lou Rackoff’s death Feb. 5, 2023.

Lou Rackoff

The Student Printz is the student-produced newspaper of the Southern Miss Student Media Center (SM2) in the School of Media and Communication at The University of Southern Mississippi. It is published every Wednesday morning and updated online at www.SM2media.com. The newspaper has been printed since 1927, serving the campus and community with news and information. Today, SM2 student journalists and media producers create and share stories with multiple medias on multiple platforms using the most modern technology housed in College Hall. SM2 includes Southern Miss Radio, Southern Miss TV, Southern Miss, SM2 Creative, and SM2 Strategic Communication.

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THE CONTRIBUTORS

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Colley said. “They were what he came to school every day to shape and ensure that we have the best possible course of career after we graduated.”

Another former student of his who can attest to this is Lindsey Kelley. She is now a lecturer and technical director with The School of Theatre and Dance at James Madison University in Virginia.

After suffering from burn-out in theatre production while in Alabama, Kelley came back to Hattiesburg to work at a local restaurant. There, she ran into Rackoff and his wife, Beth. Rackoff encouraged Kelley to come back to USM to continue her master’s. She is exceptionally grateful for his encouragement.

“I would not be where I am today without Lou finding me at that diner and asking me to come back,” Kelley said.

University administrators also gave high remarks to the late theatre teacher, like Chris Winstead, Dean of the College of Arts and

Sciences.

“I fondly remember how he always welcomed me with a smile and took the time to help me understand his work and that of his fellow faculty and students. He will be missed beyond measure,” Winstead said in a statement from his office.

Despite his absence, his presence and impact are still felt by many.

“He is still living in this department. His presence is here, and it will remain here for decades, I am sure,” Colley said.

“Southern Miss folks are everywhere. So, for him to have reached so many people all across the industry, not only has he made a difference here at Southern Miss, but he’s made a difference in the industry and for the people who are currently working and teaching in the industry,” Kelley said.

Rackoff joined USM’s faculty in 2004. He earned his BA in Theatre/Mass Communications from Queens College in New York City in 1969 and an MFA in Stage Directing from the University of Wisconsin in 1974. He is survived by his wife, Beth Slaby.

USM bans TikTok from internet network, state-owned devices

BY LOREN JONES SM2 STAFF

Lawyers for The University of Southern Mississippi announced that the app and website TikTok has been blocked on university Wi-Fi and wired networks, along with a ban on the use of the app on state-owned computers and cell phones, effective Jan. 30.

The mandate does not apply to personal devices and commercial networks, so faculty, staff and students will still be able to access TikTok on campus using their cellular network. However, filters are in place on USM Wi-Fi networks, such as eduroam and USM Public, to block the app and others made by the same company, according to Allen Baxter, iTech Information Security Officer.

This ban comes from a directive issued by Gov. Tate Reeves on Jan. 11 to all Mississippi departments and agencies banning TikTok from all state-issued government devices and the state’s net-

works. Meaning all Southern Miss students and employees with state-issued phones, computers and other wireless communication equipment must delete any apps or other software applications developed by ByteDance Ltd., developer of TikTok, by the end of the month.

The ban stems from cybersecurity issues and fears over Chinese spying.

“It’s no secret that the Chinese Communist Party is actively trying to steal U.S. intellectual property and Americans’ personal information. It’s a major threat to our national security and critical infrastructure, costs the U.S. economy hundreds of billions annually, and jeopardizes American jobs,” Reeves said in his January 11 press release. “Mississippi isn’t going to sit around waiting for the Chinese Communist Party to steal our state government data, and that’s why I issued this directive. It will help us better protect our state’s sensitive information and critical infrastructure.”

SM2 Sports Reporter Dima Mixon joshua.mixon@usm.edu

4th Street Sports Producer Charlie Luttrell charles.luttrell@usm.edu

Southern Miss Student Media

SMTV Photo Editor Sean Smith Sean.Smith@usm.edu

SM2 Layout Cam Bonelli catherine.bonelli@usm.edu

SM2 Executive Editor Abigail Troth abigail.troth@usm.edu

Horsing around at the Southern Miss Coca-Cola Classic Rodeo

BY SHANNON BARBIN SM2 REPORTER

The 37 Annual Southern Miss Coca-Cola Classic Rodeo was held Jan. 27 and 28 at the Forrest County Multi-Purpose Center.

The arena was filled with darkness as the crowd waited in suspense. The announcer commemorated a tale of cowboys and cowgirls. The rodeo opened up with a fire roper performer followed by a performance by a gun spinner.

Southern Miss President, Dr. Joe Paul took on the role of Grand Marshal. He paraded around the arena with a smile on his face in a float waving and throwing out free Southern Miss merchandise to all the fans.

The rodeo featured trick ropers Rider Kiesner and Bethany Iles. Fans were also able to witness bull riding, barrel racing, cattle roping, horse bucking and an array of opening acts. The rodeo was sponsored by Southern Beverage, Xfinity, B-95, Pine Belt Motors, Keith’s Super Stores, Hattiesburg Clinic, Forrest General, Bourne Brothers, The Hattiesburg American, Neel-Schaffer, Service Master, Papa Johns, Eagle Dining, Southern Miss Campus Recreation and F45 Training.

A bull rider falls to the ground after he was thrown off of his bull at the 37th Southern Miss Coca Cola Classic Rodeo on Jan. 27 at the Forrest County Multipurpose Center.

University of Southern Mississippi President Joe Paul throws a souvenir into the stands while riding a float in his offiicial position as the Grand Marshall.

A bull rider looks in the direction of the bull he was thrown off.

A rider rounds the second barrel during the barrel race.

Rider Kiesner performs a routine with rope that is set on fire at the 37th Southern Miss Coca Cola Classic Rodeo on Jan. 27 at the Forrest County Multipurpose Center.

Photos by Sean Smith | SM2

Photo Editor

Southern Miss raises awareness on human trafficking

SETHANIE SMITH SM2 STAFF

In order to shine a spotlight on the terrible crime, the University of Southern Mississippi Center for Human Trafficking Research and Training collaborated with state agencies to host the Mississippi Businesses Against Trafficking (MBAT) summit on Jan. 24.

The summit took place in the Thad Cochran Center along with a screening of the film, Sextortion: The Hidden Epidemic by director Maria Demeshkina Peek, in the Joe Paul Theater.

Sex trafficking is the crime of forcing or coercing an individual to exchange sex for something of value.

The Mississippi Businesses Against Trafficking is an initiative by the Mississippi Secretary of State’s Office and Secretary Michael Watson to bring awareness on human trafficking and empower all Mississippi businesses to fight against human trafficking.

Tamara Hurst, associate professor from the School of Social Work, co-director of the Center for Human Trafficking, Research and Training, and Kimberly Hogan, associate professor from the School of Social Work, co-director of the Center for Human Trafficking, Research and Training, talked to the Hattiesburg community, faculty, staff and students to learn and discuss issues involving human trafficking. Along with these topics, the summit also discussed the signs of someone being trafficked and steps to prevent the issue.

The summit hosted two panel discussions with a total of seven panelists to talk with community members to answer questions.

Ashlee Lucas, a Statewide Human Trafficking Coordinator of the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation said the purpose of the summit is to engage all business community members to identify human trafficking within their business and ways they can address the issue.

She said that the community needs to be the eyes and ears to protect our young people. “They are the ones that are going to know the kid and know that something different is happening with that child or that adult and so they’re going to be the ones that need to report that so that we can investigate it.” said Lucas.

Last year, the MBI trained 1,700 people such as law enforcement, social workers, teachers, school resource officers, community and faith base members.

Hogan’s passion for social work began when she was a high school teacher. She talks more in-depth on her movement against human trafficking on episode 66 of an Apple podcast called Emancipation Nation. Hogan noticed that one of her students in her class was groomed and later learned the student was taken by a trafficker. The more Hogan learned about human trafficking and understand as an educator, the more people did not know anything about human trafficking. Hogan says there are two types of human trafficking which are sex and labor trafficking which both operate under force, fraud and coercion.

“If you see individuals with multiple cell phones, multiple runaway histories, drug addiction, truancy issues, involvement in the child welfare, juvenile justice system, those are some indicators that, you know, something might be going on or they’re at higher vulnerability to being trafficked,” said Hogan.

Hogan believes it is important for people to reach out to the proper authorities as well as use proper protocol.

“We need to make sure that companies, nonprofits and governments really establish procedures and protocols when they come across somebody, they’re screening properly and then

sending it to the proper authority,” Hogan said.

“Another thing we can do is women is look out for one another. Pay attention to what is going on with our sisters and our daughters and our neighbors and if we notice any of those signs then we need to engage in conversation with that person and find out what’s going on and help them connect to resources” Lucas said.

The National Human Trafficking hotline number is 888-373-7888. If you are a victim or suspect of trafficking please reach out to the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation. All resources are listed and located at usm.edu/CHRT.

Kimberly Hogan and Tamara Hurst speak at the Human Trafficking Summit in the Joe Paul Theatre at the Thad Cochran Center on the USM campus Tuesday, January 24, 2023. The summit was hosted by the USM School of Social Work.

Mississippi Secretary of State Michael Watson speaks at the Human Trafficking Summit in the Joe Paul Theatre at the Thad Cochran Center on the USM campus Tuesday, January 24, 2023. The summit was hosted by the USM School of Social Work.

Allyna Pytleski | SM2 reporter

Allyna Pytleski | SM2 reporter

Baseball season tickets, attendance surge

CHARLIE LUTTRELL

4TH STREET SPORTS REPORTER

Southern Miss has enjoyed continuous success on the diamond throughout the decades, but the past few seasons have seen a surge in attendance and season ticket sales. Southern Miss has established itself as one of the premiere Division I programs, being the only team to currently have six-straight, 40-win seasons.

USM broke its previous record of 2,500 season ticket sales set last season with more than 3,400 season tickets sold this season. As of Feb. 7, less than 200 season tickets remain for the 2023 baseball season. Those packages are for standing room tickets only. “The vision that Hill Denson saw in 1986- everybody laughed at it. What we are seeing today is what Hill saw in 1986, and I can’t stress that enough,” Head Coach Scott Berry said.

The 2022 campaign was a record-setter as the Golden Eagles hosted the conference tournament, won the Hattiesburg regional, and hosted a Super Regional for the first time.

Tickets were in demand all season long as Southern Miss ranked No. 10 nationally in average attendance (4,771). The program broke the record for most fans in attendance in a single game multiple times through-

out the season.

The Golden Eagles drew their No. 1, No. 2 and No.5 highest ever attended games at the Pete in 2022, including a record 6,346 in the May 11 Hattiesburg Super Regional game against Ole Miss.

And ticket sales picked right up from where the season left off. Senior Account Executive Tyler Cochran said that the Southern Miss ticket office retained nearly 90% of its season ticket holders from last year, and then added to that number with previous

season ticket holders and customers looking to upgrade from their experiences last season.

Students who are Eagle Club members will receive a first-come, firstserve access to the 200 tickets per game allotted for student seating.

Southern Miss Baseball predictions for 2023

Dima Mixon, SM2 Sportswriter:

For the past two seasons, Southern Miss has watched as the Ole Miss Rebels dog piled in front of them, ending their season both times. This season, while maybe they don’t have the pitching that they have had over the past few seasons, they have the bats. In the past seasons, it’s been about what team is the hottest at the beginning of June. I think this season Southern Miss has the tools necessary to taste that heat at the end of May. I predict they will win the regular season crown in the Sun Belt, and they will win the Sun Belt Championship and host another Regional. I think they’ll win another Regional, but I think their run ends again in a Super Regional this season, as once again they fall just short of Omaha.

Nathan Lee, SM2 Sportswriter:

Southern Miss baseball finished the 2022 season with a 47-19 record

and a 23-7 conference record. The Golden Eagles would go on to play into June when they hosted a Super Regional against the soon-to-be National Champion Ole Miss Rebels. The Golden Eagles are preparing for a new competition this season as they will now compete in the Sun Belt Conference. The Golden Eagles will be a formidable team for all the teams in the Sun Belt. This leads me to believe that Southern Miss will have a better conference record than last year. My final prediction for the Golden Eagles is that they will finish with a 49-17 regular season record. I see this team making another deep postseason run with a possible Omaha appearance if this team can hit closer to a .300 batting average.

Jackson Howell, SM2 Sportswriter: After hosting a Super Regional in 2022, expectations could not be higher surrounding the 2023

Golden Eagles. Despite losing key pitchers, the team retooled and is prime for another stellar season. With this being “the hardest schedule we’ve ever put together” according to Berry, the Golden Eagles will be challenged early and often, including early contests against Dallas Baptist, Ole Miss and Mississippi State. With this, Southern Miss may struggle out of the gate before getting hot down the stretch. Southern Miss will be a formidable team this season, but it will be hard to advance past the Super Regionals once again this year. If Southern Miss hosts a regional, then I believe they will advance to the Super Regionals – but not far after that. As soon as the Golden Eagles have to travel – whether it be against a team like Ole Miss and LSU – then I do not see USM overcoming that again.

Charlie Luttrell| 4th Street Sports

The Southern Miss baseball team celebrates after the regional against LSU.

Carson Paetow celebrates. Charlie Luttrell| 4th Street Sports

Pitching staff looks to reload this season

DIMA MIXON 4TH STREET SPORTS REPORTER

Last season, the Southern Miss pitching staff was one of the best in the history of USM baseball, ranking second in the country in ERA to end the season, just behind the baseball juggernaut Tennessee Volunteers.

"Last year was the best staff in 38 years that I've ever been a part of as an assistant, as a head coach, I don't care. That was the most quality and the most depth of quality of staff that I've ever seen in my tenure of coaching at this level. So, you know, it's going to be hard to duplicate that in all honesty." Southern Miss baseball head coach Scott Berry said at media day

"But certainly, we're not saying we can't. That's what we're trying to do." Berry added.

Last season, there were predominantly eight pitchers who pitched the most innings for Southern Miss; seven of those are not on the roster this season. It comes as no surprise that the stellar arm talent of last season’s squad caught the eye of pro scouts, as five pitchers were selected in the 2022 MLB Draft. In the starting rotation, Hunter Riggins graduated while Hurston Waldrep left for Florida via the transfer portal, leaving two starting spots in the 2023 rotation.

The only one of those eight to return is preseason All-American right-hander Tanner Hall. Last season, Hall posted an impressive 146 strikeouts last season, with just 14 walks allowed. Hall spent this past summer with Team USA playing in the Netherlands.

The rest of the room is full of talent but very inexperienced in playing at this level. RHP Nikko Mazza is one name that comes to mind. He came on last season as a freshman in the loaded pitching staff and did not see much playing time (only five innings pitched). At baseball media day, Berry and company frequently mentioned Mazza's name. Expect him to take a giant leap this season. His fastball ranges from a 92-96 range and an 80-mph slider.

Matthew Adams, a familiar name who saw a good bit of action last season, is looking to make huge strides this season.

"I've always been confident in my ability, but I have just been taking that to the next level and believing in myself and believing that my stuff

is good enough," Adams said when asked how his game has developed in the offseason.

Last season Adams pitched 23.1 innings with a 32 to 6 SO to BB ratio. Many Southern Miss fans expect Adams to be a weekend starter this season with much more playing time. Adams gives you your typical 90-93 mph fastball, along with a mixed changeup occasionally.

Another familiar name for Southern Miss fans is LHP Justin Storm. Storm was inserted into the biggest stage last season against LSU in a must-win game for the Eagles, and he delivered a performance of the ages. Over five innings, he struck out seven with just one walk. He arguably saved the season for the Eagles, giving them a chance at a Super Regional Berth.

Storm was named a co-captain of the team along with third baseman Danny Lynch. Storm, like the others, has big expectations for the season.

"In my freshman year we fell short in the regional. Last year, we fell short in the super regional. Everyone knows what the goal is here.

To make it to Omaha and not just make it, but to win the whole thing." Storm said.

The pitching staff also added several players via the transfer portal. Will Armistead and Holland Townes, who could be your weekday starters, are two JuCo transfers. Southern Miss also lost Chandler Best for the season due to a season-ending surgery. That loss leaves the bullpen low on left-handers. Nebraska transfer LHP Tyler Martin will have to be ready.

Of course, all this talent is being coached by one of the best to do it in pitching coaches, Christian Ostrander. Some call him the 'wizard' and he will need to conjure something up if he wants this group to be at the level the staff was at last season. Ostrander has proven before that he can develop talent in this room, so anything is on the table. This pitching staff is still well-tooled and well-rounded to keep Southern Miss in games. It will not be able to save the lineup like it did several times last season, but it will hold off other offenses long enough for the lineup

to get going.

Projected Weekend Rotation

Friday: Tanner Hall: There is not much I need to explain here. Preseason All-American, he has an insane strikeout-to-walk ratio and menacing mound presence. He will be your Friday guy.

Saturday: Matthew Adams: I think Matthew gets the start on Saturday, at least to start the season. It will be a battle, but he has the experience, and his development will be essential for the Golden Eagles' pitching staff this season.

Sunday: Nikko Mazza: Mazza was being named repeatedly at baseball media day, he has made significant strides under Ostrander, and he will be their first Sunday starter guy. He might be a force to be reckoned with this season, not the weight of a Hurston Waldrep but close to a Hunter Riggins.

The pitching staff must answer its questions, but it has the tools and the talent to do so. Oh, and they have one of the best assistant coaches in baseball with the keys. They will be just fine.

Charlie Luttrell | 4th Street Sports

Tanner Hall is expected to anchor the Southern Miss pitching rotation.

2023 position players to play pivotal part

JACKSON HOWELL 4TH STREET SPORTS REPORTER

Following a super 2022 season, carried by excellent pitching, the Golden Eagles face a new challenge following an influx, yet efflux, of talent.

The stellar pitching staff of last season certainly lost some of its dominance due to transfers and the MLB draft, which must be addressed. This will mean that Southern Miss head coach Scott Berry will have to rely on fielding and batting this year, but there are voids to fill there as well.

Two voids were left in the lineup with the graduation of centerfielder Gabe Montenegro and the transfer of second baseman Will McGillis.

Second base will be difficult for the Golden Eagles to fill, as no contender for the position has had the “wow” factor that has caught the public’s attention. This could change once the season starts, but the current situation remains bleak. “Losing McGillis created a void right there," Berry said at USM’s Baseball Media Day Jan. 26. "We've had that battle through the fall, and that will continue for the next three weeks."

The void left in the outfield is hardly a concern, as D1 Baseball’s top-ranked junior college transfer Matthew Etzel has the job locked down in his first season in Hattiesburg. Berry said Etzel will likely bat leadoff this season, which is something Etzel said he is accustomed to from his time at Panola College.

“He's one of the best center fielders [we've seen] having seen him play this fall compared to what we've had in the past. He makes it look easy,” Berry said of Etzel, calling him a four-tool player. “I think he's going to surprise you a little bit and hit more home runs. He's going to hit a bunch of doubles because he's so quick out of the box... He's got one of the best strike zones awarenesses I think that we've seen in a long time.”

The next battle comes in left field, but it is not due to an outgoing player. Reece Ewing is the incumbent left fielder, but a struggling bat down the stretch in 2022 has left him open to competition. The spot is being challenged by the incoming Tate Parker, the 2022 NJCAA Division II Player of the Year and National Champion. Berry said the competition is still ongoing, but that the starter might vary depending on the opposing pitcher since Parker is right-handed and Ewing is left-handed.

The usual suspects include Christopher Sargent at first base, Dustin Dickerson at shortstop, Danny Lynch at third base, Carson Paetow at right field and Slade Wilks as the designated hitter. The Golden Eagles seek to improve their batting average, as they made the Super Regionals despite hitting for a .276 average in 2022. (150th out of 293 in the country). With a lot of new faces, there should be enough depth to challenge opposing lineups according to Lynch.

“There's been a bunch of guys that have really stepped up, and it's going to be a deep team this year," Lynch said. "It's going to be a tough lineup to crack."

Predicting the Opening Day Lineup

First Base is Christopher Sargent’s job quite comfortably. He returns after a 2022 campaign where he led the team in home runs and RBIs while starting every game. The team may be deep, but his spot is secure.

Second Base is a little trickier, as it is the one position that Berry has not hinted at all the players involved.

Gabe Lacy, a transfer from Tennessee Tech and Gulfport native, might have

a slight edge due to his experience. Lacy may be new to the program, but he is a senior who spent time at Jones College before batting .329 for Tennessee Tech in 2022. Other candidates include the speedy Brady Faust or possibly Creek Robertson, who is the backup shortstop. Lynch mentioned Nick Monistere and Matthew Russo as players to watch as well.

Shortstop is an easy one, as Dustin Dickerson led all Golden Eagles in batting average with a whopping .320 in ‘22. Berry announced Dickerson will pitch some as a reliever, so Robertson will take his place in that event.

Third Base is another simple decision by Berry, as Danny Lynch returns as a now two-time captain. Lynch might just be the heart and soul of this team, and he enters ‘23 after starting every game last season.

Left Field is a tricky one, as Berry said it will depend on the matchup. Considering he is the incumbent; Reece Ewing very well may start on opening day. This could change depending on how Berry feels about the pitching matchup, but Ewing should comfortably start Opening Day

whether the pitcher is a righty or not.

Center Field has been clearly won by Matthew Etzel. The JuCo transfer has been heavily hyped, so Golden Eagle fans eagerly anticipate his debut.

Right Field is Carson Paetow’s job to lose, though there is no competition. Paetow spent time batting leadoff in the back half of the ‘22 campaign and impressed the coaching staff. Big things are expected for the sophomore.

Designated Hitter belongs to Slade Wilks for the time being. This could easily be replaced by either Ewing or Parker depending on the left field starter. Wilks was second in batting average last season with .288.

Catcher: The Golden Eagles have several options at catcher, including some new faces. However, for opening day, there is no reason not to go with Blake Johnson. Expect him out there behind the plate on February 17.

We know that Etzel will likely bat leadoff, and it would be a shock if Sargent does not bat cleanup. Other than that, the batting order remains to be seen as the highly anticipated Feb. 17 matchup against Liberty looms.

Charlie Luttrell | 4th Street Sports

Carson Paetow celebrates after reaching first base in the Hattiesburg Regional.

Softball begins new era with Head Coach Natalie Poole

NATHAN LEE 4TH STREET SPORTS REPORTER

Southern Miss softball enters a new era this season with new head coach Natalie Poole and as new members of the Sun Belt Conference.

Last season, the Golden Eagles finished with a 29-23 record and a 9-15 record in C-USA, but the coaching staff and players believe they could take another step forward for many reasons. Southern Miss will have to defer to some new players this season, as many of the reliable players from last year have either graduated or moved on from the team. Coach Poole said there have been changes on the team and it will have to overcome the loss of talent

“We are slim in numbers, so we have about 17 student-athletes,” Poole said. “We have got some girls moving around to different positions, maybe positions they have never played. We need to be able to see what we’re going to be talented at.”

Poole said the goals of this team, development and what they need to do to win games, come down to one thing – competitiveness.

“We are focusing on the competitive piece because in the end, you have to show up to compete,” Poole said. “If you are not your best, you still have to compete.”

When starting as a new coach, trust must be built with the team, and Coach Poole did that by keeping some familiar faces around the facility with 2022 stars Tata Davis and Destini Brown transitioning to a coaching role.

Davis was the most consistent hitter for the Golden Eagles a year ago – hitting at a .370 average along with 8 home runs.

Brown left her fingerprints all over the program as she broke the Southern Miss all-time stolen bases record with 93 in her career with a .460 on-base percentage. Southern Miss softball fans will never forget the on-field impact these players had, but Davis said the change from player to coach and the different impact she can have as a coach now.

“It’s weird, but you see more,” Davis said. “Being in the game, you’re being more selfish because you are saying ‘I need to work on this.’ Seeing it from the other point

of view, you see what everybody needs to work on.”

Davis’s relationship with players around the team allows for a sense of continuity and family. The relationship between coaches and players has not been at this level at Southern Miss in many years.

Senior catcher Hannah Borden said she has been through multiple coaching staffs in her tenure at Southern Miss. Borden finished the season last year as the “big-hitter” of the team with her team-leading 9 home runs. Still, she is excited about this season and believes she can take that next step forward as a hitter.

“I’m looking forward to hitting more home runs,” Borden said. She credits coach Aaron Longnecker for aiding her approach at the plate.

“His philosophy is focused a lot on decision making, which has really helped me,” she said.

Borden said there is a sense of family in the locker room between the coaches and players.

“The separation between coach

and player, we are able to be how we want to be,” Borden said. “We don’t feel any negativity or negative energy from the coaching staff, no pressure to be a certain way. Everybody on the team has their role. We all know that there is no senior and freshman thing. Everybody has their job and role.”

The energy around the program is going in the right direction for Southern Miss softball on part of the new coaching staff and the trust they have built with the athletes.

Pitching

The pitching room for Southern Miss softball has many question marks entering the 2023 season.

“We were lucky to return the top three pitchers, which is great, and they are going to have to push through some mental places because three pitchers for over 50 games is a lot,” Poole said. “The three pitchers that Southern Miss will rely on this season are experienced talents starting with leader Morgan Leinstock followed by Paige Kilgore and Jana Lee.

Hitting

Southern Miss is also facing adversity in their hitting room because their two best batting average players from 2022, Davis and Brown, are no longer players.

This causes the Eagles to look elsewhere for consistent hitting and base running as Brown is a Southern Miss base-running legend.

Coach Poole said they have prepared the team with preparation and the right staff.

“Aaron Longenecker and I saw eye-to-eye pretty much about how things needed to be taught, how we teach our philosophy, and our approach,” Poole said. “We are going to physically be a better offensive team. I think mindset-wise we are going to be better; our approaches are going to be better, and our adjustability will be better.”

This trust between players and coaches is a new trend for Southern Miss softball, and it has the entire staff excited about what they can do this season.

Southern Miss softball coach Natalie Poole.

Photo by Sean Smith | SM2 photo editor