SERVING SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI SINCE 1927 • WWW.STUDENTPRINTZ.COM • FEBRUARY 16, 2022 | VOLUME 107 | ISSUE 19
VETERANS BUILDING PG 2
ONLINE PROGRAMS PG 4
SOFTBALL
PG 8
USM’s graduation rate ranks lower than national average, other IHL institutions GARRET GROVE PRINTZ REPORTER
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he University of Southern Mississippi is an institution that prides itself on the quality of its graduates. Though the reputation may be well-deserved, reports released by the university bring into question how many students are actually graduating. The graduation rate for firsttime freshman who began classes at USM in Fall 2015 is at 51.8%. This rate gives first-time students a six-year window to graduate with their undergraduate degree. The average graduation rate for public institutions nationwide is 62 percent, according to the National Center for Educational Statistics. USM’s current rate is approximately 20% lower than the national average. USM’s graduation rate is lower than other in-state universities, like the University of Mississippi. According to UM’s statistics, the six-year graduation rate for the university is 68.4%, which is more than 32% higher than USM. The current graduation rate is at its highest level, according to Amy Chasteen, the Executive Vice Provost for Academic Affairs at USM. Chasteen talked about this and similar statistics and about
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student success overall in a USM Faculty Senate meeting this past December. Her visit with senators then was mentioned in February’s faculty senate meeting, as senators deliberated on ways to increase graduation rates among students. Though numerous factors probably led to these numbers, they are still surprising to students, nonetheless. Kass Chandler is a senior music education major. As a transfer student at USM, she was unaware of the statistics relating
to those who leave USM with diplomas. “It is a little surprising, actually,” Chandler said. “I mean, I never really thought about it, but I don’t know. I kind of just assumed it would be higher.” For freshman business major Tanner Carney, hearing information like this could have influenced where he went to college. “I wouldn’t say that it would necessarily make me not go to this school, but it would make me think about going to different schools probably more if I knew that coming in,” Carney
said. Chasteen, in an email to the Printz, referenced materials that the university provides that can help to support students. It included the University Advisement Center, Center for Student Success, an Academic Concerns Reporting Form that faculty can report on behalf of students, among other things. Information regarding USM graduation and retention rates, as well as accreditation can be found at http://www.usm.edu/ institutional-research/usm-student-achievement.php
NEWS MEET THE CONTRIBUTORS SM2 News Director
Charlie Luttrell charles.luttrell@usm.edu
Executive Editor
Kyra Lampley kyra.lampley@usm.edu
Sports Director
Austin Lindsey austin.lindsey@usm.edu Printz Reporters A’Darius McCormick adarius.mcormick@usm.edu Nathan Lee nathan.lee@usm.edu Garret Grove garret.grove@usm.edu Jessica Besnard jessica.besnard@usm.edu Sarah Kofman sarah.kofman@usm.edu
Printz Photographer Sean Smith sean.a.smith@usm.edu
Tyjon Williams tyjon.williams@usm.edu
The views represented in The Student Printz’s columns and editorials do not represent those of the faculty, staff or administration of The University of Southern Mississippi. We welcome letters to the editor representing similar and contrasting opinions. To be eligible for publication, all submission must include name, class distinction, major, phone number and email address. Submissions should be emailed to printzeditors@gmail.com by 5 p.m. on the Friday before publication. Please limit them to 500 words or less. The Student Printz reserves the right to refuse publication or edit any material on the basis of clarity, space or journalistic ethics.
Opinions expressed in The Student Printz are those of the writer and not necessarily those of The Student Printz, its publication manager, USM, the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning or the USM Board of Student Publications.
FEBRUARY 16, 2022
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USM cuts ribbon on new Center for Military Veterans
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n Friday, Feb. 11, the University of Southern Mississippi formally dedicated the opening of its newest facility, the Quinlan-Hammond Hall of Honor, as the new Center for Military Veterans, Service Members and Families. Hundreds attended the event, including high-profile speakers such as University of Southern Mississippi President Rodney Bennett, Mississippi U.S Representative Steven Palazzo and even former Chief of Staff Gen. John Kelly, who all delivered remarks on the building’s achievement. Located on 200 N. 35th Avenue, the 5,500-square-foot facility serves as a building to “meet the needs and interests” of the USM’s military-student body, while also paying respect to the history of military service at USM. “These military kids have earned this moment in time,” Major General Jeff Hammond, the Director of the Center for Military Veterans, said. “They don’t deserve it- because that’s not how military people think. They earned it through hard work and now they have a home unlike anywhere in the world.” The event formally opened the building while also thanking those who helped the idea come to a realization. The Quinlan-Hammond Hall of Honor was entirely privately funded with $3.1 million donated for its construction. The hall was named after its lead benefactor, Joseph Quinlan Jr. and Hammond, who spoke
ment to ensure its students have the best environment to work in and that the new building secures that for military students. “We take our role as a mil-
on the impact that the building will have for its students. “This facility is more than brick and mortar- it has a heartbeat. Quinlan-Hammond Hall of Honor reflects the tremendous sacrifice our military students and their families have made for our freedoms,” Hammond said. “It is a significant campus landmark, a safe haven, and a springboard to the future for our students.” The building features study rooms, offices and lounges, as well as artifacts that honor past military history that were provided by the University Libraries’ Special Collections, the Mississippi Armed Forces Museum, the African American Military History Museum and personal collections from families. A key feature includes six medallions that hang from the ceiling of the Truth Faith and Allegiance Corridor, each representing the six branches of the U.S. military. The medallions are positioned so that they are illuminated as the sun rises and sets each day. Bennett said that the university prioritizes facility develop-
Sean Smith/Printz itary-friendly institution very seriously. I could not be more proud that we are now able to provide exceptional support and resources to our military students who have already sacrificed so much for so many,” Bennett said.
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Military students prepare to raise the flags outside of Quinlan-Hammond Hall of Honor.
A military student raises the POW/MIA flag.
Army members salute during the raising of the flag.
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Former Chief of Staff John Kelly speaks at the event.
The crowd joins in a prayer from Father Tommy Conway.
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NEWS
FEBRUARY 16, 2022
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Southern Miss earns top ranking in state for online program ADARIUS MCCORMICK PRINTZ REPORTER
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Southern Miss’s online bachelor’s degree program stands above five universities in the state, including Mississippi State and William Carey.
In the national rankings including over 350 universities, Southern Miss ranked at No. 68, which is higher than the past two years. Dean of Online Learning and Enrollment Dr. Tom Hutchinson was proud of the university and professors’ work with the online program and its recognition. Hutchinson described that Southern Miss led the charge in online programs compared to other universities in the state. “We’ve led the state in quality because we were early adopters to fully online programs to help students,” Hutchinson said. Hutchinson claimed many aspects of the online program have not changed over the past two years though the university’s rank is on the rise. He explained why Southern Miss continues to improve although no changes are made year after year. “We really try to serve students that can’t be here: military population, working class, and students with families,” Hutchinson said. “It’s really that kind of approach to serving as many students as possible. That’s allowed us to get where we were.” Quality Matters professionally trains educators for the best quality of online learning. Each of the Southern Miss online program’s instructors underwent this training before the courses began, and Hutchinson looks at the training as an important factor of the ranking. “We’re partners with Quality Matters, which is kind of the gold standard for online instruction, and all of our faculty are Quality Matters certified, so I was happy,” Hutchinson said. “And, it also makes sense.” Students responded to the recognition with positive and negative reactions. Senior Andru Catchings felt conflicting emotions about the online program when he was enrolled in his online courses for the past couple of semesters. “I have mixed feelings about the online courses. I got good grades, but I don’t know if I was learning everything properly,” Catchings said. “I just feel like the engagement
Huey Turlich|The Student Printz
in a classroom makes it easier to learn, but there isn’t really anything wrong with online classes.” The online programs are graded on four criteria: engagement, services and technologies, expert opinion, then faculty credentials and training. The qualifications cover many factors under these categories, like graduation rates, faculty with more than a bachelor’s degree and a rating from college administrators. According to U.S. News and World Report, Southern Miss leads Mississippi because the university exceeds the standard in each of the categories. Southern Miss ranks as No. 1 for online bachelor’s degree programs for veterans and business degrees in Mississippi. The programs stand at No. 44 and No. 51 on the national list. Southern Miss offers over 15 online bachelor’s degree programs from marketing to elementary education. To enroll in the programs or have any questions, contact the Office of Online Learning by email at online@usm.edu or by phone at 601-266-5518. Also, the office can be found at the International Center.
NEWS
FEBRUARY 16, 2022 WWW.STUDENTPRINTZ.COM Bomb threats target 20 HBCUs during Black History Month
KYRA LAMPLEY AND NATHAN LEE When people think of Black History Month, they think about those who have paved the way for African Americans to gain freedom. Currently, those freedoms are being tested as historically black colleges and universites across the United States have been targeted by bomb threats. Nearly 20 historically black colleges and universities [HBCUs] in five states and the District of Columbia have received bomb threats since Feb. 1. Many believe that this is a racially motivated tactic to invoke fear into those who should be celebrating their accomplishments. “The timing of these threats to coincide with Black History Month was a likely attempt to exploit tensions among some factions of our society,” Michelle Cooper of the U.S. Department of Education said. Jackson State University was among the many colleges to receive such a threat. JSU is one of the 5 HBCUs in Mississippi and historically has been known for its use of technology and research to aid students in becoming stronger in their school journeys. Jonathan Richardson, a junior journalism major at Jackson State University, said that getting the bomb threat alert was frightening. “Wow, it could have been some real damage done if there had been a true bomb threat, because a lot of people on campus were asleep,” Richardson said. HBCUs have provided education to some of the most influential Black leaders in America--from the likes of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Thurgood Marshall, and Kamala Harris. King, a graduate of Morehouse College, was the face of the Civil Rights Movement. From leading non-violent protests to his famous, “I Have A Dream Speech”, King set the standard of the movement. Thurgood Marshall became the first African American to serve as the Associate Justice of the Supreme Court and Harris made history last year as the first African-American woman elected as vice-president of the United States. Richardson explains that his appreciation for his HBCU is beyond measure. “Most of all, I get to see the other side of black people that the media doesn’t show on a daily basis,” Richardson said. “I get to see black excellence and black love for one another.”
Jackson State University Still, the recent threats indicate that HBCU students are facing similar battles that these prominent Black leaders had fought for their entire lives. The president of Alcorn State University in Mississippi Felecia Nave’s first priority was her students’ well being.
“I’m extremely saddened for our students who continue to be traumatized, in what is truly unprecedented times,” Nave said via Colorado Newsline. “They’re resilient, and they are resolved to continue to move forward and to make it known that we won’t be threatened.” HBCU students are those who were most affected by these hate crimes against the universities. It has gotten to the point where some students question if history is repeating itself. “I was caught off-guard because we’re in 2022 and still facing the same problems as our grandparents and their grandparents,” international studies major at Spelman College in Atlanta Marian Turner said. Decades removed from the Civil Rights movement, these crimes indicate that people still reject the idea of Black self-improvement. Still, acts of violence like the recent events are what motivate students like Xavier junior public health and international affairs major Nina Giddens to continue to pursue her goals. “The fact that they are so threatened motivates me to keep going. I’ve encouraged my friends to not be afraid,” Giddens said.
Image Courtesy of Gray Media Group
ENTERTAINMENT
FEBRUARY 16, 2022
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Super Bowl commercials: an exercise in formulaic fun
SARAH KOFMAN PRINTZ REPORTER
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n Sunday, the United States of America rejoiced as friends, family and bar patrons gathered in front of their television sets to experience the most spectacular event of the year: Super Bowl commercials. The astonishing price tags associated with these star-studded miniature movies set expectations higher than usual, and when millions of viewers tune into the Superbowl solely for its extravagant commercials, brands are expected to rise to the occasion. In recent years, a formula for Superbowl commercials has emerged. First: recruit the most famous comedians and actors possible. Then, instruct them to hold the brand’s product in frame. Finally, have them say something funny before flashing a logo on screen. Boom. A Super Bowl commercial is born. Many brands thrive with this formula. Lay’s, for example, won chuckles by casting Seth Rogan and Paul Rudd as a reminiscing groom and his best man, and Bud Light Seltzer Hard Soda skillfully incorporated walking meme Guy Fieri to illicit laughs. However, other brands can’t quite succeed with the basic checklist of celebrities and jokes. Booking.com teamed up with Idris Elba to create the perfect 30-second commercial for refilling your chip bowl. Nissan, on the other hand, went the extra mile (pun intended) by casting not one, not two, but four A-list celebrities to star in your 60-second bathroom break, featuring Eugene
Courtesy of AdWeek
Levy, Brie Larson, Danai Gurira and Dave Bautista. Two commercials, however, stood apart from the rest and transcended the formula. Squarespace’s ‘Sally’s Seashells’ took the traditional formula and turned it on its head to achieve something no other brand could: a genuinely enjoyable commercial. It begins with a downtrodden Sally, played by Euphoria’s Zendaya, searching for ways to attract customers to her small seaside seashell shop. A Squarespace website solves her problem, and before long, her business expands to include everything from seashell serenity sessions to seaside snacks. The plot is simple, but the gorgeous sets, fun costumes, and charmingly alliterative narration from Outkast’s Andre 3000 elevate the commercial from advertisement to art. ‘Sally’s Seashells’ has serious star power in front of the camera and behind the microphone, but it wouldn’t be possible without English writer and director Edgar Wright’s iconic camerawork and playful scene setting. Unlike many Superbowl commercials that rely solely on the celebrities they
acquire to fill the space on screen, Squarespace enlisted three enormously talented artists and incorporated their unique skills into the commercial with brilliant precision. ‘Sally’s Seashells’ is a joy to watch, and most importantly, it effectively advertises Squarespace’s product. Budweiser’s ‘A Clydesdale’s Journey’ in contrast, rejects the Superbowl commercial formula and delivers a disappointingly hollow short film. Through stunning visuals and gritty western landscapes, Budweiser and Academy Award-winning director Chloé Zhao tell the story of a lone Clydesdale recovering from an injury with the help of human caretakers and a concerned Labrador companion. After the iconic Clydesdale trips over a stray piece of barbed wire, the commercial shifts to a montage of the horse’s healing process. The ‘Star-Spangled Banner’ builds as the horse regains its strength and abandons the stable, galloping across the field while his canine friend chases him in support. The tagline appears on screen: “In the home of the brave, down never means out.”
Cue an epic electric guitar riff. While the commercial looks raw and genuine, it feels stale. Its COVID-19 comparison is obvious, and while the message of recovering after hardship is relevant as the world sludges through another year of the pandemic, its execution is poor. Filled with rapid jump cuts, ‘A Clydesdale’s Journey’ disorients viewers, leading to confusing visuals and diminished stakes. (“Wait,” you might think on your first watch, “Is that dog bandaging the horse’s leg?”) The editing issues seep deeper into the commercial’s plot, distracting from the emotional climax as the audience tries to determine how injured the horse is. Viewers are expected to assume the horse wounded its leg when it fell, but nothing tangible demonstrates the severity of the injury. The inciting incident is hidden by jump cuts, the bandage appears pristine and the horse seemingly recovers overnight. These unclear stakes make the commercial’s triumphant rock ballad and tagline feel unearned and laughable. Worse yet, Budweiser’s product is only shown on screen once in the 60-second commercial, but it uses this brief placement well, proving it’s the best beer to sip by the fireside while an injured horse cries in pain just out of earshot. While “Sally’s Seashells” reveals something new and exciting on subsequent viewings, “A Clydesdale’s Journey” raises new questions that make each watch more ridiculous than the last.
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Requiem: A Repose From Suffering JESSICA BESNARD PRINTZ REPORTER
K
orn’s latest album Requiem, released on Feb. 4 marks the band’s 14th studio album. Korn is a very consistent band, but they brought something new with this album— something lighter. It’s short and sweet, which may even be pushing it for their aggressive sound. This is an album where the feeling is more “divine”. It’s nu-metal in its most melodious form: Requiem. ‘Requiem’ stands at just nine tracks. Each song is around four minutes long, which is regular for Korn, but it leaves the album at only 32 minutes. This is a tasteful amount that keeps me, and many other Korn fans, wanting more. Korn proved that you can sing about something hopeful and happy and keep that dark touch that has always existed within. Reflecting on their last album, you can hear the emotional growth, lyric-wise, in the band members’ lives. Their 2019 album ‘The Nothing’, as the title suggests, sounds almost hopeless. ‘Requiem’ represents the oppo-
Courtesy of Korn Official
site—hope. Something that is missing, though, is that ruggedness associated with the 90s and early 2000s Korn. Don’t get it wrong because the ruggedness and coarseness are still definitely there, but it is somewhat different. Rumbling, headbang-inducing guitar riffs are also very prominent. ‘Start The Healing’ comes closest to this feeling that I and Korn fans love so much. The chorus is so powerful and daring- it’s very in-yourface. Korn released the track as
their first single, which is a great choice, considering it sets the tone for the album. This song expresses putting an end to anger and beginning the healing. The realization alone is part of this process. “The more you fall for it, it’s never gonna quit,” sings Jonathan Davis, lead vocalist and frontman, realizing the damage and encouraging himself to overcome it. ‘Requiem’’ is almost a parental album, giving advice to whoever happens to listen. Handing down recommendations learned from personal
experience, Korn provides something to gain besides just music to the ears. My personal favorite is ‘Worst Is On Its Way’, which is reminiscent of ‘90s Korn as well, specifically ‘Freak On A Leash.’ Davis brings back his beatboxing we know and love. It is entirely thrilling and forces me to bob my head like a little puppet. The most threatening track, ‘Hopeless and Beaten’ expresses true vulnerability and longing. You can hear Davis imploring for help in the background, which is subtle but powerful. ‘My Confession’ is very assertive and sets the record straight for the listener. This song reminisces of old-school Korn-ish groove and is very expressive with amazing drums per usual by Ray Luzier. This album is a great example of modern metal done wonderfully well. They have evolved from slipping into human suffering to overcoming it. Korn was able to try something new while staying consistent with their sound and produced an album so perfectly melodic. 10/10.
SPORTS
FEBRUARY 16, 2022
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Southern Miss Softball drops three of five in Black and Gold Invitational
AUSTIN LINDSEY NATHAN LEE
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fter a 2-0 start, Southern Miss ended the Black & Gold Invitational (2-3) on a three game losing streak. “The first couple games we came out really hot. Then, in the last three we kind of stumbled a little not getting much run production, that was a big factor. We are playing a lot of young kids and a lot of freshmen so we’re getting to get a good evaluation on them in game situations,” Head Coach Brian Levin said. GAMES ONE AND TWO Southern Miss Softball began its season by hosting a doubleheader for its fourth annual Black and Gold Invitational, defeating North Alabama 8-6 and Saint Louis 6-2. Southern Miss freshman Jana Lee took the mound for Southern Miss, throwing the first pitch at 4:28 pm against North Alabama. Southern Miss freshman Alexis Dittmer and Scout Jennings put the Golden Eagles on the board first with back-toback homers, making it 3-0 on North Alabama’s Maci Birdyshaw in the bottom of the second inning. “That was amazing. Alexis hitting a homer and Scout coming right behind her and Homer in their first collegiate atbats was crazy. I don’t think I’ve ever seen that before.” Southern Miss Softball Head Coach Brian Levin said. Three bats later, Destini Brown was walked by Birdyshaw, setting up Brown to break the Southern Miss’ stolen bases record with 82 in her career. Brown broke a 21-year-old record held by Chrystal Stevens. “[A] super night for [Destini Brown] to break the stolen base record. She got the green light to go, and she won it,” Levin said. The next at-bat, Alyssa “Tata” Davis, went yard to left field, making it 5-0 for a three-run inning. North Alabama responded with three runs each over the four and fifth inning, making it 6-5. North Alabama’s hot start led to a pitching change at the mound at 4.1 innings, bringing in two-time Gatorade Player of the Year in high school, Paige Kilgore. Southern Miss freshman first baseman Alexis Dittmer stepped up big at the plate in the bottom of the 5th for another home run on a two-run homer, which brought Kilgore home to lead 7-6. Southern Miss scored another run on a single by Alyssa “Tata” Davis to close out the game 8-6. Kilgore took the win at pitcher in 2 innings with two hits and one strike. Alexis Dittmer led hitting for the Golden Eagles with two homers and four RBIs. The Golden Eagles had a short turnaround within the next 30 minutes, facing Saint Louis. Junior Morgan Leinstock started at the mound for the Golden Eagles, pitching a complete game, striking eight batters on
Destini Brown has an emotional celebration after breaking the school record for most stolen bases.
five hits and two earned runs. Neither side scored until a two-run homer to left-center by Brown in the bottom of the fifth. Saint Louis scored in the top of the sixth, making it 2-1 on the double to right field by Outfielder Gabbie Kowalik, bringing in the runner from 2nd base. Southern Miss loaded the bases as Davis was at-bat in the bottom of the sixth, hitting a grand slam on her first bat pitch, putting the game out of reach at 6-1. The Billikens of Saint Louis added one more to the scoreboard, leaving one on base as Southern Miss took the win 6-2. Game 3 The Golden Eagles suffered their first loss of the season in its third game of the weekend against the Samford Bulldogs, 10-6. Samford’s Timberlyn Shurbutt led the offensive onslaught for the Bulldogs, accounting for 4 RBIs on 3 hits. Shurbutt’s early success in the first inning helped shift the momentum in the Bulldogs’ favor with a 2-0 lead. The Golden Eagles immediately responded in the bottom of the first when Alexis Dittmer hit a sacrifice fly to bring in Tata Davis to cut the lead to 2-1 heading into the second inning. Southern Miss’ Rycca Hinton and Samford’s Jordan Walters became more comfortable as the game prolonged, allowing zero runs in the second and third innings. In the fourth inning, Hinton was relieved by Jana Lee. Later in the inning, Lee gave up an RBI single to Bulldogs’ Sarah Squillace to bring the lead to 3-1. The Bulldogs continued their scoring ways in the top of the fifth when Shurbutt hit an RBI double to bring in M.K. Tedder. Later in the inning, Shurbutt scored on an RBI single from Gwynnie Hornibrook to make the score 5-1.
Tyjon Williams | Printz
The Golden Eagles then made a fourrun rally in the bottom of the fifth to tie the game at 5-5. Still, Samford’s thriving offense could not be stop in the sixth inning when the Bulldogs added five runs to make the score 10-5. Hannah Borden hit a home run to left field to end the game on a positive note, but it was not enough as Southern Miss fell 10-6. Game 4 The Golden Eagles were unable to get back in the win column as North Alabama earned the 7-0 shutout. The Lions were led by Senior pitcher Sidney Revels’ impressive seven inning domination, allowing only 3 hits to 6 strikeouts. The Golden Eagles started their freshman phenom Paige Kilgore, yet she was only able to make it through two total innings before she was relieved by Rycca Hinton. The Lions did most of their scoring damage in the first three innings scoring six of their seven runs then. The Lions started pouring it on in the third inning when they scored five runs. Hailey Jones started this run for the Lions with a sacrifice fly, bringing in Haven Kirby to push the lead to 2-0. Maleah Hargett kept the Lions’ hot hitting going with an RBI single to center field to bring in Lexie Harper. Hargett then scored on an RBI double to right field from Harley Stokes. Broadfoot made her presence felt again when she hit an RBI single to left center field to bring in Stokes. Kalli Daniel’s RBI single helped finish the Lions’ third inning explosion to bring in Broadfoot. The Golden Eagles had no answers the entire game for Revels, which was the leading factor to the 7-0 defeat to the North Alabama Lions.
Game 5 Southern Miss Softball concluded its five-game slate of games in the Black & Gold Invitational Sunday afternoon versus Samford University. Southern Miss’ junior Pitcher Morgan Leinstock started on the mound for the Golden Eagles in her second start of the weekend. Southern Miss was not able to muster a run losing 6-0 after an explosive sixth and seventh inning for the Samford Bulldogs. A grand slam by Samford’s M.K. Tedder extended the Bulldogs lead in the top of seventh making it 6-0 after three consecutive singles to get bases loaded. “You have to tip your hat to them when they had runners on in clutch situations, their hitters came up big, ‘’ Levin said. Leinstock gave up nine total hits in the loss with six six strikeouts and six earned runs. Neither side had a hit until the bottom of the third as sophomore shortstop Maria Smith hit a single to left field on McKenzie Newcomb. Smith later attempted to steal second being tagged out at second base to end the inning scoreless. Heading into the top of the fourth, Samford recorded its first hit of the game on a single to center field by Samford’s M.K. Tedder. Morgan Leinstock later closed the inning on a strikeout to keep it 0-0 in the bottom of the fourth. Entering the bottom of the fifth, Southern Miss’ first baseman Terrica Willisms hit a single down the left field line starting the inning. At the next at-bat, designated hitter Rycca Hinton advanced to first after being hit by a pitch by Newcomb to the left elbow. The HBP led to Taylor being in scoring position for the Golden Eagles. The inning later ended in another unsuccessful inning with a fly-out by Maria Smith. The play later ended a tag out at first on Hinton attempting to slide back to first on the fly ball. In the top of the sixth, with one out, Samford scored to make it 2-0. The next-at-bat, a double to left field advanced Timberlyn Shurbutt to third with one out. Southern Miss ended the inning, stranding two for Samford. The Golden Eagles attempted to gain some momentum in the top of lineup order with Destini Brown and Tata Davis in the bottom of the sixth. The two both singled as Davis was called safe on a close call at first with Brown in scoring position, but the inning ended on a Newcomb strike out on Borden. In the seventh, the Samford’s M.K. Tedder’s grand slam closed the game. The Golden Eagles travel to Baton Rouge, Louisiana to face Southern University, Wednesday at 5 pm.