USM’s Alex Nelms stepping up: Gulfport alum named team captain

When the Southern Miss baseball team opens up the 2020 season on Friday, Gulfport alum Alex Nelms won’t be the first or second option to start a game, but he will be the first or second option as a leader.

Last month, the former Admiral was named one of two captains alongside Matthew Guidry on a team with seven other seniors.

Nelms has been contributing for the Golden Eagles ever since his true freshmen season in 2017, but has only started three games across a total of 54-and-a-third innings.

Both totals could certainly be exceeded this year alone and the challenge is already out from Head Coach Scott Berry.  Nelms said, “I think it’s just taking responsibility for everything we do. And on the field, off the field just doing my best to set an example and really guide, especially the young guys. We have a good bit of them this year. So guide them along the path to success.”

Coach Berry said, “He needs to have a big year for us. This is his senior year. He’s logged in a lot of times. There’s been successes. There’s been failures. But with each of that, you continue and you hope that you get better and that’s what we’re hoping he is this year is that he’ll be that guy that can come in and no matter what role we ask him to play, he plays it very well.”

The Black and Gold will host Murray State in a three-game series, starting with game one at 4 p.m. Friday from Pete Taylor Park.