University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Southern Miss Announces Four Baseball Signees for 2016
11/13/2014 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
HATTIESBURG, Miss. -- Southern Miss baseball announced Thursday the first set of players signed for the 2016 season, including infielders Matthew Guidry (Hattiesburg, Miss.) and Tracy Hadley (Pascagoula, Miss.), along with right-handed pitchers Nick Sandlin (Evans, Ga.) and Sam Walley (Taylorsville, Miss.).
Guidry, who plays for Chris McCardle at Oak Grove High School, played for the 6A state champions last season. At 6-foot-0, 195 lbs., the rising senior hit .322 last season with four doubles, 19 runs and 12 runs batted in. Over the last two seasons, he has tallied a .285 batting average with six doubles, a triple and 28 RBI.
"Matt is another Oak Grove standout that will join us next season," said Southern Miss assistant coach Chad Caillet. "He was very instrumental in Oak Grove's state championship run last season. He is a left-handed hitter with great ability and potential gap power. He has the versatility to play three infield positions at the college level, who is a very exciting young player."
Hadley, who played last season at Pearl River Community College after graduating from Pascagoula High School, hit .316 last spring for PRCC with a pair of homers and 19 runs batted in to go along with 10 steals. In his final season at Pascagoula High, the 6-foot, 170-lb., Hadley batted .408 with 10 doubles, a triple, a home run and 18 RBI.
"Tracy is a former Pascagoula High shortstop and point guard on its basketball team," said Caillet. "Tracy is very athletic with great field presence and leadership skills. Tracy has the skills and experience to be an immediate impact to the 2016 team."
Sandlin, who prepped at Greenbrier High School, finished his junior campaign with a 13-0 mark and one save in 15 appearances. He also posted a 1.44 ERA and 92 strikeouts in 72 2/3 innings. He allowed one run or less in 12 of his 15 appearances and only allowed more than four hits in a game once all year.
The county Player of the Year, also named the Augusta Chronicle All-Area Player of the Year and Region 2A-AAAAA Pitcher of the Year in 2014, also hit .358 with seven doubles, four triples, one home run, and 21 RBI at the plate. He led Greenbrier to the Georgia AAAAA state semifinals.
"I am looking forward to working with Nick as he will follow in the long tradition of undershooters that have come through Southern Miss," said Federico. "Nick has pitched in numerous big games during his career and with his athletic background he will fit in nicely into our bullpen. I'm excited to work with Nick as he will provide poise and understanding how to win late in games."
Walley, who prepped at Taylorsville High School and starts his second season in LSU-Eunice in 2015, finished with an 0-1 mark with 11 saves and a 1.83 ERA at LSU-E last spring. He fanned 24 and walked just seven over 19 2/3 innings while allowing just 11 hits. He also hit .316 with nine doubles and 16 RBI.
The 6-footer was a MaxPreps Small Schools All-America first-team selection at utility, as well as the Mississippi Association of Coaches 2A Player of the Year, a Clarion-Ledger all-state selection following his senior campaign. After his junior year, he was a second-team MaxPreps All-American, while also garnering Clarion-Ledger all-state honors.
Over his final two seasons for coach Dusty Hillman, Walley posted a 20-3 pitching record with a 1.20 ERA to go along with 226 strikeouts over 134 innings, with just 39 walks. Hit two-year batting total included a .424 average, 26 doubles, two triples, 18 home runs and 91 RBI.
"Sam is projected to be the No. 1 arm this spring at LSU-E," said Caillet. "He is coming off a great freshman year where he led their team in saves and played in the designated hitter role. He is a true three-pitch guy, who is one of the most competitive players I've ever recruited. He will be a great asset to our pitching staff and team next season."
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