University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Baseball Adds Two More Signees During Spring Signing Period
5/9/2007 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
May 9, 2007
HATTIESBURG, Miss. - Southern Miss Head Baseball Coach Corky Palmer has announced the signing of Daniel Covert, a 6-0, 175-pound outfielder from Meridian High School in Meridian, Miss., and Seth Hester, a 6-3, 205-pound first baseman/right-hand pitcher to letters of intent and grant in aid for the 2007-08 academic year.
This marks the third and fourth signees of the spring signing period and eighth and ninth signees overall for the program.
Covert, a three-year starter and four-year letterwinner for Coach Chuck Butler, hit .547 with 16 doubles, six triples and 30 RBIs this past season. An All-Division selection, he helped lead Meridian to a 14-11 record and earn a spot in the first round of the state playoffs.
"I'm glad that Daniel has signed with Southern Miss and will be joining our program," Palmer said. "He is an excellent left-hand hitter who does a good job in the outfield. He has a good swing and finds the gaps. He has a chance to come in and battle for playing time right away."
As a junior, he was named all-division after hitting .415 with 10 doubles, four triples and 30 RBIs. He is the top 10 academically in his class and is a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, the Anchor Club and the Key Club.
Covert also was recruited by Oklahoma and Mississippi State.
Hester was a four-year starter at first base and as a right-hand pitcher for Coach Jody Rowell at Stringer High School. He is currently hitting .521 with 12 doubles, two triples, eight home runs and 42 RBIs. On the mound, he is 8-2 with a 0.87 ERA and has struck out 96 batters. He has helped lead Stringer to a 21-4 record at this time and an appearance in the 1A South State Championship Series.
"I'm excited that Seth has decided to join the Golden Eagle baseball program and will attend Southern Miss," Palmer said. "He is a two-way player, playing both first base and is a pitcher. He is strong and athletic and gives our line-up a big-framed player who hits with a lot of power. He has a good arm and can throw three pitches for strikes and can hit the upper 80's with his fastball. He has a chance to battle for playing time right away next season."
Hester was just named the team's most valuable player, the school's athlete of the year and was invited to participate in the North-South All-Star Game this summer. Over his four-year career, he has collected 336 strikeouts, was a four-year All-Division selection and two-time all-state honoree.
He hit .431 as a junior with 10 home runs and 37 RBIs. He finished with a 10-2 record and registered 130 strikeouts in helping Stringer to a 24-7 record and an appearance in the first round of the state playoffs.
Academically, he holds a 3.8 grade point average and already has posted a 21 on his ACT test. He is a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, is a member of the Peer Council and was awarded the Lucky Day Scholarship.
Hester was a three-time all-division player in football as well, playing linebacker and offensive line. He was named the team's defensive most valuable player in 2006 and was one of the team captains.
Hester also was being recruited by LSU, Mississippi State, Kentucky and Auburn.
Southern Miss already has signed Josh Billeaud (RHP, 6-4, 210, LSU-Eunice CC), Anthony Doss (OF, 6-1, 180, Northwest Rankin HS), Wendell Fairley (OF, 6-2, 175, George County High School in Lucedale, Miss.), Brian Leach (RHP, 6-4, 190, NW Mississippi CC), Corey Stevens (OF, 5-10, 170, Hinds CC, Utica, Miss.), Matt Warren (RHP, 6-5, 190, Petal HS, Petal, Miss.) and Wade Weathers (LHP, 6-1, 195, Meridian CC, in Meridian, Miss.).
