Vancleave alum Carson Paetow shining early for Golden Eagles

Southern Miss right fielder Carson Paetow is one of just nine freshmen in all of division I college baseball with at least 16 home runs this season and only five first-year players have more homers than him.

Today, the former Vancleave Bulldogs was recognized by Collegiate Baseball as one of 88 players on its Freshman All-America team.

Paetow certainly has the numbers to back it up, having started 59 of USM’s 63 games while hitting at a clip of .278 with 15 doubles and 48 RBI.

His 16 homers are tied for second on the team, three of them coming in the Hattiesburg Regional.

His strong play has earned him the nickname ‘The Vancleave Villain’ after one of his youth baseball pictures was leaked to Southern Miss Barstool by the ace of the staff. “It was actually Tanner Hall, actually sent a picture of me when I was younger to Barstool, and they kind of made that nickname. I think it’s very cool. I think it’s cool that people kind of know where I’m from, and I think it’s cool that people from back home are supporting me, and there’s a very special place in my heart for Vancleave, and I want them to know that. I think it means a lot to them to know that someone from Vancleave is playing at a good program here, and I mean that in the most humble way I can say, but I think it’s cool that the Vancleave community is backing me and supports me along the way, and it’s just a really good feeling to know that they have a lot of support sent my way and I appreciate it. I really do.”

The Golden Eagles are a near perfect 18-1 when Paetow hits out of the lead off spot this season.