University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Baseball Announces Final Signee Of Early Signing Period
12/12/2003 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Baseball Announces Final Signee Of Early Signing Period
HATTIESBURG, Miss. ?
Southern Miss Baseball Coach Corky Palmer has announced the signing of Cole Besinger, a 6-2, 195-pound, left-handed pitcher from Faulkner State Community College in Bay Minette, Ala., to a national letter of intent for the 2004-05 academic year. This marks the seventh and final signing of the early period for the Golden Eagles."I'm excited that Cole has decided to attend Southern Miss," Palmer said. "He has a big frame and gives us a solid left handed pitcher who can throw three pitches for strikes, a fastball, curve and changeup. He throws about 87-89 mph and his outpitch is an overhand curve ball. Cole should make an immediate impact and fill our need of left-handed pitchers. I am counting on him contributing right away."
Besinger lettered as a freshman last year at Faulkner State and earned all-conference honors. He was a four-year letterwinner at Demopolis High School and participated in the Alabama East/West Games.
The Golden Eagles other early signees are Jacob Fowler (5-11, 185, OF, Tuscaloosa, Ala./Bevill State Community College), 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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