University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Baseball Announces Sixth Signee Of Early Signing Period
11/26/2003 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Baseball Announces Sixth Signee Of Early Signing Period
HATTIESBURG, Miss. ? Southern Miss Baseball Coach Corky Palmer has announced the signing of Jacob Fowler, a 5-11, 185-pound, outfielder from Bevill State Community College in Pensacola, Fla., to a national letter of intent for the 2004-05 academic year. This marks the sixth signing of the early period for the Golden Eagles.
"I'm excited that Jacob has decided to attend Southern Miss," Palmer said. "He is an outstanding athlete who can run, hit for average or for power. He adds another left-handed stick to the lineup and does a fine job in the field. He should challenge for one of the starting outfield positions next year."
Last year as a freshman, he hit .336 with 11 doubles, seven home runs, 27 RBIs and had a slugging percentage of .569. He was named the team's most valuable player as well as second-team All-Northern League. He helped lead Bevill State to a 37-25 overall record, a 20-4 conference record and an appearance in the NJCAA Division II World Series.
Fowler was a four-year letterwinner at Tuscaloosa High School, where he helped lead his school to a state championship and a second-place finish in the regionals. He hit .319 with 13 home runs and a .439 on-base percentage.
The Golden Eagles other early signees are Jonathan Johnston (6-2, 190, RHP, Jackson, Miss./Northwest Rankin HS), Bradley Owen (6-5, 215, LHP, Semmes, Ala.), David Steele (6-2, 190, OF, Mandeville, La./Mandeville HS), Trey Sutton (6-0, 170, INF, Laurel, Miss./West Jones HS) and Ben Wade (6-2, 180, RHP, Eatonville, Miss./North Forrest HS)
Southern Miss returns 17 letterwinners and two redshirts, including six starting position players, two starting pitchers, and five bullpen pitchers from last year?s squad that finished 47-16 overall and won the Conference USA regular season and tournament championships. Southern Miss hosted the Hattiesburg Regional, finishing as the runner-up. The Golden Eagles set a school record for the most wins in a season and the school and conference records for most conference wins as well.
The Golden Eagles open their Conference USA title defense on Friday, Feb. 20 at Pete Taylor Park/Hill Denson Field against Northwestern (La.) State, at 3 p.m.
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