Hattiesburg Regional: Southern Miss vs. UIC

Fourteen years ago, the people of Hattiesburg got their first taste of a regional and they’ve been craving that second bite ever since. Today, the NCAA tournament finally made its first trip back to Pete Taylor Park and the Southern Miss faithful did not disappoint.
Huge attendance for game one between USM and Illinois Chicago, more than 4,200 fans on hand.
The big game Eagles do the fans proud at the Pete, hanging on to win an 8-7 thriller. USM Head Coach Scott Berry said, “Well, I just think that everybody on this team has tremendous chemistry because they have each other’s back. They believe in one another, and that’s what’s so special and that’s what chemistry is all about. They believe in one another and they’re there for one another, and whoever is in that lineup, they’re pulling for that guy. Knowing that they may have an opportunity, just like this one right here.”
USM Second baseman Matthew Guidry said, “I had one batter to really lock in and understand what my job was, so I try not to really think too much into it. I try to stay kind of level-headed, like Coach talks about all the time. So, I wouldn’t say that I lock in more if I come off the bench versus if I’m in the starting lineup. I try to kind of maintain like a level head.”
ICU Head Coach Mike Dee said, “They’re a really good team and it’s a really tough environment. And it’s just human nature that you’re going to try to, you’re going to actually over-try. And it’s something we talk about, just trying to stay who you are. And again, I think it was really only those two innings that we kind of lost our composure out there. But it was enough.”
USM moves on to face South Alabama tomorrow at 6 p.m. The Jaguars surprise Mississippi State in the night cap winning by the final score of 6-3. That was the fourth meeting between those two teams this season, each of them now having won two games apiece.
UIC will face the Bulldogs at 1 p.m. Saturday in an elimination game.