The Student Printz March 10, 2016

Page 1

Volume 100 Issue 42

Thursday, March 10, 2016

www.studentprintz.com

Golden Eagles face long road to Regionals Julius Kizzee Sports Editor

Southern Miss lost its third game of the season against Southeastern Louisiana on Wednesday night, falling 4-2 in late-game fashion. “We just never did [enough] offensively,” said coach Scott Berry. “We didn’t get that big hit. I think more importantly are the walks and the errors especially in the seventh inning.” Southeastern Louisiana lost at home on Tuesday in dramatic fashion, squandering a two-run lead to the Golden Eagles, as USM ran off four runs to win in Hammond, Louisiana. In this contest, USM was not able to pull out the same magic on this night. “Honestly, what they kind of did last night, we did tonight,” Berry said. “This was an opportunity that we missed on, and we didn’t do enough to win this ball game.” This game was a missed opportunity for the Golden Eagles, but everyone should calm down. USM went on a tear recently, winning seven straight games to start the season. USM dropped two straight contests against South Alabama, but that was to be expected. Georgia Tech is the only undefeated team in the country, so losses should not be seen as a rarity. As a reminder, the Golden Eagles have defeated Michigan State, Southeastern and Auburn, all of whom have top 50 Rating Percentage Index rankings,

ON CAMPUS

Fadi Shahin/Assistant Photo Editor Southern Miss Golden Eagles Stevie Powers (15) piches against Southeastern Louisiana University on Wednesday, March 9.

according to warrrennolan.com. Those wins carry more weight than the three early losses that they have faced, so fans should not put too much stock into a stumble on the road to the NCAA Regionals. “We have the ability (to win close games),” Berry said. “We were hoping for it to have it happen for us again today.” Those close games have come

as early as Feb. 21 in the 6-4 finale against Eastern Illinois and last night culminated in a season that will most likely be filled with close calls and late-inning heroics. On this night against Southeastern Louisiana, the Golden Eagles succumbed to errors in both the seventh and eighth innings, leading to a total of three runs scored for the Lions. The Golden Eagles not

only dug themselves in that hole, but there was no formula for getting themselves out of it. The Golden Eagles have mustered three or fewer points in five of their last seven games. The pitching against the Lions, led by freshman Stevie Powers, was unable to keep the Lions off the base. The hitting, a mere seven hits out of 33 at-bats, was not going to magically appear for an

inning just as it did on Tuesday. They will have to rely a little more on skill, rather than a little luck or a sprinkle of magic. “We’ve been playing good baseball, I’m not going to take anything away from what we’ve been doing,” Berry said. “We’ve had a pretty good run here.” This is not to say that Berry’s squad cannot get their act together or become more consistent at the plate, and command more respect on the mound. But, it starts with facing the facts. According the NCAA, the Golden Eagles are ranked 47th nationally with a .308 batting average. The pitching staff is ranked 59th with a 3.18 earned run average. Those numbers will net 11 wins in the early going, but as the season wanes, average numbers may yield an average record. For this game, the Golden Eagles did not play to their snuff, but fans should realize the team is not as senior-laden as in 2015. Albeit talented, the bullpen and rotation is filled with inexperience. The team will need time to adjust not only their pitching arms but their bats as well. “There’s times where a little hit breaks it open, and we just didn’t get it tonight, for the most part,” Berry said. USM was not able to get the few hits needed to pull out this contest, but fans should wait on pessimistic thinking about not only this young team, but the young season.

Civil Rights activist, nephew reunited at USM lecture Nicolas Kubicki Printz Reporter

Guests packed the lobby of Kennard-Washington Hall, mingling, bustling and waiting for Myrlie EversWilliams to arrive. While most guests donned suits, sport coats and dresses, two significantly underdressed attendees stood out. One was a reporter, and the other was Corey Murchison, a student waiting to see his great-aunt as eagerly as someone waiting to see a movie star. Murchison, a junior media production major, is the greatnephew of Evers-Williams by way of Charles Evers, her late husband’s brother. “When I was growing up, I didn’t know a lot about my family history,” Murchison said. “I think I was in middle school when I learned about it. I knew who my great uncle was, but then I realized that I was related to Medgar Evers, which meant Myrlie

as well.” Murchison talked about her with the glowing admiration of someone getting to meet one of their heroes. “She’s a major part of history, and if she’s related to me, then I know I can do great things too,” Murchison said. He waited anxiously, shifting back and forth, looking around the reception hall hoping to catch a glimpse of her so he could talk to her. Suddenly, a bluster of applause filled the room, and EversWilliams walked in. Interim Vice President of Student Affairs Thomas Burke opened the reception, and he recognized several prominent actors in USM history in attendance, including Raylawni Branch and Gwendolyn Armstrong

Chamberlain, the students who successfully integrated USM’s campus in 1965.

and said none of what had happened could have been possible without him. A representative from the Hattiesburg City Council gave Evers-Williams the key to the city on behalf of the council and Mayor Johnny DuPree. After a few more tributes, the floor was opened. People swarmed Evers-Williams, looking to take pictures with her and thank her for her work, and Murchison was among them. After fighting his way through the crowd, he knelt beside her and put his arm around her shoulders, leaning in to talk to her. “She said she was excited to know that I was going to school here,” he said. After a brief moment, Murchison was hurried away so others could get

She’s a major part of history, and if she’s related to me, then I know I can do

great things, too. Corey Murchison “On the day that it was initiated, and this building was renamed, the line of people went all the way around this room, and people were in line out to the stoop,” Branch said. “It was just a wonderful day.” Branch thanked President Emeritus Aubrey Lucas for his efforts

time with Evers-Williams. Evers-Williams gave a passionate lecture about her struggle over the years with learning to let go of the hatred she felt for her husband’s murderer and believing in the justice system. “It took 30 years to bring that man to justice,” she said. “Justice still prevails in the United States of America. It may be slow, but it happens.” She talked about her time with Coretta Scott King and Betty Shabazz, and their fight not only as the wives of renowned activists but as activists themselves. “The three of us were the best of friends,” she said. “What impacted one impacted the other.” She said the women knew their husbands were doing dangerous work but that they were willing to do what was necessary to change the system. ACTIVIST CONT. ON PG. 3


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