KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Southern Mississippi ran away from Indiana during Sunday’s elimination game in the NCAA Knoxville Regional Tournament. The Golden Eagles took a five-run lead in the first inning en route to a 15-3 victory. Southern Miss had five doubles and 16 hits, while pitcher Colby Allen allowed just one run in seven innings. Matthew Russian, Slade Wilks and Ozzie Pratt had three RBIs for the Golden Eagles. The only bright spot for the Hoosiers over the weekend was the performance of outfielder Devin Taylor. The sophomore finishes his impressive 2024 campaign with 21 home runs and 55 RBIs after a solo shot in the fifth inning.
Session 6 served as another elimination game for Southern Miss, as Tennessee had a chance to advance to the NCAA Super Regionals with a win. Outfielder Hunter Ensley got the Vols on the board in the second inning with an RBI single. Tennessee then showed off its power with five home runs throughout the night. Cal Stark hit two home runs. Later, Kavares Tears drove a ball 388 feet out of right center field.
A four-run sixth inning proved pivotal in the game, as Tennessee responded from a 3-2 deficit on a three-run shot by the Tears. Volunteer pitcher Zander Sechrist logged 4 2/3 innings, allowing three runs. However, none of them were won. Sechrist was hit with a line drive in the leg area during the bottom of the fourth inning. The left-hander was on the ground for a few minutes, surrounded by a contingent of players and staff. Sechrist remained in the game. He then struck out Nick Monistere and induced a double play against Russo.
Other Knoxville notables
Dylan Dreiling and Dean Curley also homered that night. Dreiling continues to drive the ball in the opposite direction with power and shows the ability to control the barrel through the zone. As a draft-eligible sophomore, Dreiling Trust remains key in a 2024 campaign that will likely result in a Day 2 selection this summer. The Tennessee outfielder was named Knoxville Regional Most Outstanding Player.
Nate Snead He came on in relief of Sechrist, pitching 4 1/3 innings of scoreless baseball. Snead deployed breaking and off-speed pitches to keep Southern Miss off balance, along with velocity in the mid-90s. He finished his night throwing 34 strikes on 54 pitches.
What’s next for the NCAA Supers?
Tennessee will advance to the Super Regional portion of the NCAA Tournament. The Vols will face the winner of the Greenville Regional. East Carolina and Evansville will play an elimination game on Monday to determine the winner.
Below is a list of the 2024 NCAA Knoxville Regional Tournament Team
C: Cal Stark, Tennessee
1B: Brock Tibbitts, Ind.
2B: Christian Moore, Tennessee
SS: Ozzie Pratt, Miss of the South
3B: Billy Amick, Tennessee
LF: Dylan Dreiling, Tennessee
CF: Hunter Ensley, Tennessee
RF: Slade Wilks, Miss of the South
BD: Devin Taylor, Indiana
Q: Niko Mazza, Miss of the South (unanimous)
Q: AJ Causey, Tennessee
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