In the first two games of Southern Miss’ series against Valparaiso, the Beacons jumped out to an early lead.
However, USM’s starting pitcher Niko Mazza and designated hitter Slade Wilks changed that narrative as they not only helped the Golden Eagles take an early lead but were critical in Southern Miss coming away with an 11-5 win that clinched the weekend series.
“The last two days, we have been behind before we ever stepped to the plate,” Southern Miss coach Scott Berry said. “Today, Niko did a great job with a three up and three down in the top of the first, and then Wilks delivered with a 2-run backside home run to put us up and keep the momentum that we created from yesterday to even that series.”
WILKS' HOT BAT
Slade Wilks led the way for Southern Miss’ lineup as he finished 2-for-3, drove in three runs and scored a run.
Wilks’ first hit was a 368-foot, 2-run home run over the left field wall. It was the first of the eight hits from the Golden Eagles’ lineup.
“I thought today was really big that we got the lead early,” Wilks said. “We really just never looked back from there. I knew how they pitched me all weekend that they would probably go off speed right there”.
“We can be a really good offense, but we just have to believe that. We just have to produce more often. I hope we can do that a lot more and I think we can.”
After Valpo’s first run of the day came in the top of the third, the Golden Eagles added to their lead after Tate Parker drove in a run with an RBI sac fly, followed by Wilks scoring on a double steal.
Wilks capped his day off with an RBI single in the eighth inning that kickstarted a 5-run inning.
MAZZA'S CAREER DAY
Despite dealing with rainy conditions starting pitcher Niko Mazza put together a career day.
Mazza struck out a career-high of 11 batters, allowed one run off three hits, walked two batters and hit three batters. All three hits that Mazza allowed came in the third inning, which included an RBI single.
“It was another quality start out of (Niko Mazza),” Berry said. “He had a great 92-95 mph fastball with a cutter and changeup mix. He pitched around that. He kind of created that situation for him. The strikeouts are what got him out of it, the inability of them to put the ball in play and score a run, so credit him for that.”
Yet the sophomore bounced back by retiring 10 of the 11 next batters between the end of the fourth and seventh inning.
“By that point, we have a pretty good scouting report on the hitters, but I kind of got into a groove and felt good and was in synch with everything,” said Mazza, who improved his record to 3-1. “Balls were slippery every once in a while, but we were good. I think I had a good amount of strikeouts on the cutter today. The cutter early in the count was working then the fastball was late. Valpo had a really good lineup. They are tough hitters to strike out.”
LATE INSURANCE RUNS
In the seventh inning, Tate Parker drew an RBI walk with bases loaded, with Christopher Sargent following with an RBI sac fly, which pushed the lead to 6-1.
Then in the eighth inning, including Wilks’ single, USM came up with two hits and drew four walks. Creek Robertson scored on a wild pitch, and Reece Ewing then delivered a 3-run double to push the lead 11-5. Those runs were needed as Valparaiso (7-6) scored four runs in the top of the ninth inning before freshman relief pitcher Nick Monistere ended the game.
The key in Southern Miss (10—5) scoring its late runs was finally able to take advantage of having runners in scoring position. The Golden Eagles finished the day 3-for-4 with runners on third base and with less than two outs.
“I was glad to see Ewing hit the 3-run double with two outs there in the eighth inning,” Berry said. “That kind of broke it open for us and made you kind of breathe a little easier.”
PARKER FOR PAETOW
Southern Miss’ lineup looked different today as Tate Parker started in right field over Carson Paetow while Reece Ewing started in left field. It was a move Berry made midway through Saturday’s game.
Paetow was a combined 3-for-27 at the plate in the last seven games. Although Parker was 0-for-2, he still delivered two RBIs and drew two walks. According to Berry, the decision is a combination of Paetow’s slump, while Parker has been more consistent at the plate.
“I think it could be a balance of a little bit of both,” Berry said. “Paetow has been struggling just like that time Sargent needed a break. Sometimes you have to sit and think about it and clear your mind before you can move forward with it. We have some depth in that outfield. I remember people saying, ‘How are you going to get all of those bats in the lineup?’ and that’s a good problem to have. Obviously, when there is one struggling, you have the ability to fall on another one. That’s what depth is all about.
“There are still a lot of pieces to that puzzle that will be put into play as we move along. I’m looking for the toughest nine guys to put out there to help us win a baseball game.”
Southern Miss goes on the road to face Southeastern Louisiana in Hammond on Tuesday, with first pitch set for 6 p.m.
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