University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Baseball Announces Third Signee of the Early Signing Period
11/17/2005 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Nov. 17, 2005
HATTIESBURG, Miss. - Southern Miss Head Baseball Coach Corky Palmer has announced the signing of Chance Harst, a 5-11, 185-pound catcher from St. Thomas More High School in Lafayette, La., to a letter of intent and grant-in-aid for the 2005-06 academic year.
This is the same school where former Golden Eagle standout third baseman Beau Griffin, who just finished his career last season, attended.
"I'm excited that Chance has decided to attend Southern Miss," Palmer said. "He has outstanding defensive skills and can hit for average and power. He is tough and hard-nosed and is very athletic. He has a chance to make an immediate impact with our program."
Harst hit .400 with 10 doubles, two triples, five home runs and drove in 38 runs as a junior last season. He walked 17 times, scored 42 runs and stole 16 bases. He is a two-time all-district selection and has been named to the Louisiana All-State Team by both the Louisiana Sport Writers Association and the Louisiana Coaches Association.
As a junior last season, Harst helped lead St. Thomas More to a 27-7 record and advance to the quarterfinals of the state baseball tournament.
Southern Miss other signees include Jordan King (3B/RHP, 6-0, 180, NW Rankin HS, Brandon, Miss.) and Todd McInnis (RHP, 6-1, 160, NW Rankin HS, Brandon, Miss.).
The Golden Eagles return 20 letterwinners, including five starting position players, four starting pitchers, and five bullpen pitchers from last year's squad that finished 41-21 overall and tied for second-place in Conference USA, advanced to the Conference USA Tournament semifinals and also to its third-straight NCAA Tournament appearance. The Golden Eagles have produced a 133-56 record over the past three seasons for a 70.4 winning percentage.
Southern Miss opens its season on Feb. 15 when it hosts Nicholls State in a 3 p.m., start.
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