C-USA Tournament: Southern Miss vs. UTSA

Much like priority boarding at the airport, winning the first two games of the Conference USA baseball tournament can serve as a fast track to Championship Sunday.

Today, Southern Miss was looking to join Rice in the 2-0 club against the Roadrunners of UTSA.  Golden Eagles coming off a 2-0 win over UAB yesterday, spot in the winner’s bracket riding on the outcome of this one.

Southern Miss locks down it’s spot in the winner’s bracket with the 5-3 triumph, still awaiting the winner of UTSA and Charlotte in the nightcap.

Second consecutive two-run victory for the Black and Gold who now have the benefit of two chances to advance to the title game.  Southern Miss pitcher Stevie Power said, “I think it takes a lot of pressure off of us, so they’ve got to come out and beat us twice tomorrow to get to the championship. So I think it puts a lot more pressure on the other team. If you want to look at it from a pitching standpoint, their arms and everything like that. We’ve got Walker ready to go, hopefully he can do the same thing. So I just feel like the way we set ourselves up to this point, we’re doing alright.”

Southern Miss center fielder Matt Wallner said, “Oh, fastball pretty much right middle of the plate. If I miss that one I’m in trouble. But it’s good to get one of those every once in a while, because fastballs feel a little bit few and far between sometimes for me.”

Southern Miss head baseball Coach Scott Berry said, “There’s only one team that’s going to be guaranteed one of those 31 automatic bids, and it’s the guy who wins on Sunday. Everybody else is fighting to be that guy, so and we’re no different. So this win was really big in what we’re trying to do and building that resume.”

At the conclusion of tonight’s game, the tournament will be back on schedule. USM is slated to play at 12:30 p.m. tomorrow and again at 7:30 if necessary. Walker Powell is set to take the hill for the Eagles.