Southern Miss begins the season ranked in the top 25 for the first time and returns five position starters and three starting pitchers. Chad Rogers, a right-handed pitcher from Pensacola, is the preseason pitcher of the year, and outfielder Michael Artman is considered one of the best players in the nation. Southern Miss head coach Corky Palmer, in his fourth year at USM, is blessed with the most returning players since his arrival as head coach. That experience is a valuable asset when it comes down to games that could be decided by who makes the least amount of errors. Southern Miss can employ a starting lineup of mostly juniors and seniors that will provide them with a wealth of experience.
Experience is a strength on team.
We are more experienced than we have ever been. Southern Miss will play an aggressive schedule, with dates against Tulane, Evansville, Mississippi State and Alabama, all of which appear on the preseason polls. Don't count out South Alabama and Louisiana-Lafayette, which will also be tough contests. Southern Miss opens the season Feb. 9 with a three-game set against Evansville at the Pete.