Southern Miss baseball is excited to get back on the diamond

HATTIESBURG, Miss. - Southern Miss baseball had an incredible season last year as they were crowned Conference USA champions.

The team lost quite a bit of players from last year. But, the team added some new faces to its roster, and the leaders of this team are simply ready to just get back on the diamond.

Left-handed pitcher, Kirk McCarty said, "We got guys fighting for positions still today. And, the season is very, very quickly approaching, so we're going to have a lot of new faces, but a lot of really good competitors on the field at all times."

"We got to start fast and finish strong like Coach Berry says. That's kind of been our model the 2.5-3 years that I've been here. So, we just got to take it one game at a time and remember to not let our high's get to high and our low's get to low," said outfielder, Daniel Keating.

Infielder, Tracy Hadley said, "Returners, we have to be more of leaders this year because we had people that was leaders over us. But, we know the feeling and what it takes. So, it's all on us as far as leadership wise."

"The main thing is we have to take care of business throughout the season. We've learned from the past that you have to start fast and you have to finish strong. Even though if you start slow and you finish strong, a lot of times it isn't enough. If we can do that, we'll take care of our business in conference. And, then I feel like we will be rewarded in the end with an opportunity to be one of the 64 vying for the final eight in Omaha," said head coach, Scott Berry.

The Golden Eagles will play their first game of the season on Feb. 17 at home against Northeastern.