Southern Miss baseball team is ready to begin new era under first year Head Coach Christian Ostrander

A new season breeds new opportunities – new opportunities for players and coaches. 

One coach in particular, Christian Ostrander… Ansley, what can you tell me about Coach Oz?

“One thing I can tell you about Coach Oz is when he came here in 2017, first season in 2018, he quickly gained the confidence and respect of not only the fans but the players here at Southern Miss,” said News 25’s Ansley Brent. “He started as a pitching coach, he gained the confidence of the pitchers and they produced and produced time after time. Then he was an assistant coach, kept going up in the ranks, and now he is the head coach of the Southern Miss Golden Eagles. I had the opportunity to ask him what this life changing moment meant to him.” 

“You know it is a dream come true. you work your whole career to hopefully have an opportunity to, you know, lead a program like this. They don’t just hand these out, I know that. I don’t take it for granted, I am a very humble person that is going to put your head down and work hard, and try to lead these young men – that is my job,” said new head coach Christian Ostrander.

Southern Miss is coming off a season 46 and 20 season, including 22 and 8 in Sun Belt Conference play. When playing at Pete Taylor, the Golden Eagles were seemingly unstoppable – posting a 27 and 7 record at home. 

Captain, and former Vancleave star, Carson Paetow spoke on what playing at Pete Taylor is like ahead of his Junior season. 

“It’s a great honor. There is nothing like this fanbase and this park that we’ve got so I am just super excited and super blessed to be here. I don’t take a day for granted and I wish time would just slow down because it seems like it’s going way too fast,” said Paetow.

It may be an understatement to say last season was a success for the Golden Eagles. Record aside – Southern Miss won the Sun Belt Conference Championship and had the chance to host a super regional where their season would come to an end against the Tennessee Volunteers. 

All the recent success has put a target on the back of the Golden Eagles, but if you ask Paetow, that’s exactly how they want it. 

“Pressure definitely is a privilege. Coach Oz’s big thing is putting the bullseye right in front of our chest. Pressure is an expectation and we shouldn’t be scared because we have them every year. We should be excited for them – we should want the expectation, because for us to accomplish those expectations is even a bigger deal,” Paetow explained.

Expectations have never been higher for the Golden Eagles as they open their season on February 16th at home.