USM College World Series Shirts one Win Away
6/11/23 Update: Southern Miss has defeated Tennessee in game one of the 2023 NCAA Baseball Hattiesburg Super Regional. If the Golden Eagles win game #2 or #3 if necessary, Southern Miss College World Series T-Shirts and Gear will be available for USM fans.
When the University of Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles baseball team first hit the diamond in 1913, no one could have imagined the greatness that lay ahead. The team's first College World Series appearance in 2009 under coach Corky Palmer marked a significant milestone in the program's history. Prior to moving to the Sun Belt Conference in 2023, the Golden Eagles dominated Conference USA, winning six Conference USA Regular Season Championships and five CUSA Tournament Championships.
Southern Miss baseball's home turf, Pete Taylor Park, is named after longtime USM Skipper Pete Taylor, who coached the program from 1959 to 1983. The visionary Hill Denson followed Coach Taylor and elevated the program, leading Southern Miss to their first two NCAA regional appearances in 1990 and 1991. Denson also played a pivotal role in building the Golden Eagles' baseball stadium, which ranks as one of college baseball's best. It is no surprise that USM has emerged to earn a top 10 ranking in attendance as a result. In honor of his contribution to Southern Miss Baseball, the playing surface is named Hill Denson Field.
Corky Palmer is a name that elicits reverence and admiration among USM baseball fans. From 1998 to 2009, he led the Golden Eagles to an impressive run of 458 wins and eight NCAA regional appearances. His crowning glory came in 2009 when he guided the team to a berth in the prestigious College World Series, cementing his status as one of USM's most successful coaches.
His strategic prowess and ability to motivate players had a profound impact on the team's performance, and his legacy lives on as a testament to his dedication to the sport and his players.
Scott Berry's tenure as head coach of the Southern Miss Golden Eagles will go down in history as one of the most successful in the team's history. Following the 2009 College World Series, where he served as an assistant coach, Berry took the reins and led the team to impressive heights. Over the course of the next several years, he guided the Eagles to five conference championships and two NCAA regional titles. With his retirement at the end of the 2023 season, Berry's legacy will be cemented as the winningest coach in team history, with over 500 career victories. His impact on the program will undoubtedly be felt for years to come.
Ed Staton
